Logline: Telling Tales - The Descent and Rise of an Ordinary Woman. A Short Film.

Current Status: Completed.

Length: 4 minutes

Director: Trish Robertson

Producer: Trish Robertson

Looking for (ie buyer, distributor, sales agent, producer, media interest) YES

Funders: Department of Human Services – Disability Services Innovation Project, The Deafness Foundation. Made in association with: Arts Access, Department of Human Services, Arts Victoria, Australia Council For The Arts.

Collaborators Arts Access – Art Day South Project, Arts Access – Saturday morning arts class project, Deafness Arts Network, Independent Artists.

Presented by: Australian Centre of Moving Image.

Why did you make this film?

I had come through mental illness and had come out the other side. It is my journey of survival. I wanted to share this to bring about hope for people who have been experiencing illness and have survived and released from its’ grip of a dark stage in their life. I made this film to be part of a creative project about me and people like me.

Why is the film called Telling Tales?

The film is called Telling Tales because of the way I chose to tell my story, not as a testimony but like a narrative.

When did you make this film?

2004

What type of feedback have you received so far about the film?

The feedback has been lovely, a positive reaction from my friends and colleagues, who have seen a side of me they hadn’t seen before which made them feel happy about my work and to see a creative side of me they hadn’t seen.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

It has surprised me and made me feel very humble.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on this platform?

A bigger platform to inspire and help people relate to the struggles mental illness can bring and to bring awareness that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I can do that on a bigger platform.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message and audience?

All of the above.

What type of impact would you like this film to have in Australia and internationally?

I’d like to draw attention to how art and creative writing can bring a story that has depth and meaning. Art Therapy hasn’t gone far in Australia, so I hope to bring how art and storytelling can reach a wider audience, and draw attention to how mental illness affescts people around the world.