Over the past few months Vicki Morganson and the team at BIPOC Arts Australia have been facilitating CREATE – a collaborative project designed to elevate and empower Indigenous and diverse peoples, and that they have done.
The group collaboratively wrote a script, then filmed it in the Gold Coast hinterland over 2 days. Directed by emerging First Nations director David Cook and starring Roxanne MacDonald the short film has you on the edge of your seat from the get-go.
Forget Me Not will premiere on 25 February at the Dendy Cinemas in Southport.
I was fortunate enough to be involved in this amazing initiative and get to write an original song, What Are You Doing To Me? for the project I will be performing at the premiere. I caught up with them team after our shoot date to learn more about the ins and outs of their creative processes.
Vicki, you were the brains, the facilitator behind this project, can you tell us how CREATE came about and your intention behind the project?
I always work to be able to create space and help make resources available to BIPOC creatives so that they can create in a safe space. We were able to pivot the project according to feedback from participants and hopefully the outcome was something everyone was really proud of and enjoyed.
David, you’re an emerging director, with you first full-length film, Heart of the Man currently in post-production. What was your vision behind Forget Me Not? And what was it like working with a team of varying experience (beginners to acting and screenwriting, through to pros like Roxanne McDonald?)
Yes, that's right. Forget me Not was really about looking at people's experience and pairing them with someone like Aunty Roxy to help guide them in a safe and constructive environment. Allowing them to write their own scenes also gave me insight into how I would direct them on the day as, like you'd know, you can learn alot about someone through their writing.
It was also great working with emerging talent through the Create Program as it helped hone my skills as a filmmaker working with limited time and resources.
If you can create and execute a proof of concept short film with 7 actors in under 3 weeks, you're increasing your ability to handle testing situations on larger productions.
All in all, the experience and program was a win win for all.
MJ, explain the role you stepped into whilst filming? What was that like?
Being an assistant director played into my coaching skills so much. Seeing Dave’s incredible vision while working alongside him from behind the camera was outstanding. Having the actors ask for performance tips during filming gaps, getting Dave’s go ahead with the ideas we created and enjoying saying ‘Action’ and ‘Cut’ on numerous occasions was so rewarding and super fun.
Kellie, your scene was quite emotionally intense, how did you prepare for it?
When I’m in scene I always use something called death bed confession where by you imagine yourself dying and telling you loved one what you would if you were dying. I try not to think about it too much until I’m actually there. Otherwise you over think it.
Jerome, you have recently delved into the acting world, how has your experience been so far?
It was exciting. Started chasing my dream into acting at the start of 2021 and everything I've been involved in so far has help push me in the right direction.
Patty, you are studying film and QUT and you oversaw the script and continuity BTS, explain what your role involved?
I worked closely with the director to document all on-screen shots and with the actors to ensure their wardrobe, lines and movements were consistent. My notes and line script were given to the editor who will use them to build the visual narrative per the director’s vision. It was amazing to work alongside a talented director, crew, and cast.
Janaki, how did you get into your character on the day?
Aanya is an anxious person, if she were an animal she would be a hummingbird. I did some breathing exercises that would speed up my breath, then I would bring that energy into my body. I would start tapping continuously with my fingers right before we shoot the scene. Lastly I would remind myself what do I want from my scene partner and shift my focus on to them.
George, your scene built in emotional intensity throughout the takes, can you tell us what it felt like throughout the scenes building?
To be honest I felt more comfortable expressing Miles' pain and frustration as the filming progressed. The hard part for me was getting the blocking of my character throughout the scene. Luckily we had a great 1st AD in Mandi Windus who helped me break down my movements. With director David Cook giving me the freedom to explore Miles' emotional state it allowed me to just ‘go for it’ consistently, until I heard the magic words ‘That’s the take!’
Aunty Roxy, you are the star of the show and an accomplished actress, what projects have you worked on of late, and what is it like working with David as a director?
I am currently working on a music video and I’m sitting in a motel room in Boonah waiting for my call to set. I’m also going to do a talk about my career to high school students at Hymba Yumba an Indigenous Independent School in Springfield!
Dave is just the best to work with, he has a calming presence and he really cares about us actors and everyone he works with in the film industry!
Jilesh, you were very involved in the script writing but happened to be overseas during filming, can you explain to us how you got ‘zoomed in?’
Unfortunately, I had to miss the last 3 sessions due a visit to India. But I was zoomed in and participated from India, under the clear and precise Instruction by David.
I would like to thank multitalented Alyson Joyce and Victoria Morganson for this exceptional initiative for creative underrepresented talents like us.
Forget Me Not premieres on 25 February at Dendy Cinemas in Southport. It was facilitated by BIPOC Arts Australia and was funded by City of Gold Coast.
