For project brief three we were asked to create and produce a two minute individual media portrait of someone you know. That someone can be a family member, friend, partner or workmate and it had to be a real person.
Initially I was going to do my project brief on someone who struck me as having the most interesting, enthralling story to tell, however I quickly saw problems within my thought process, then I decided to perhaps look at someone who I saw a rapid growth within. However what I really struggled with in this whole process was the potential of letting someone down, and misrepresenting someone, them finding offence through my interpretation of their story which they were telling me.
So I selected someone who was just as dear to my heart as the other two, however someone who’s story I felt needed to be told.
This fit well with something which was mentioned within one of the lectures Tell a story that people will want to hear.
So I chose my Nanna Lorraine Courtney.
Lorraine is 70 years old, currently living in Mildura, A child to two, A big sister to four, A wife to one, A mother to two, and grandmother to five.
Lorraine spent her life working hard, gardening, golfing, adoring music, and I never in my life have met someone who knew the proper table and etiquette in every single imaginable way like she did, in all regards a typical Nan.
Except in the 10 years between her 60th and 70th birthday Lorraine was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and is now unable to live in her home anymore.
She rarely speaks, remembers faces but not names, but just as in life, a familiar tune comes on and she is able to sing it word for word, with a big smile on her face.
It was difficult to collect this footage, confronting to edit it together, but hearing Nanna Rainy sing, seeing her smile and come to life made having to stop frequently, to stop myself from turning into a nostalgic blabbering mess all worth it.
And to anyone who see’s this post, or my video, who has someone they love dearly who are suffering from Alzheimer’s, give them a big hug, love them, visit them, and ensure they even for a moment know they are not alone, that they are loved, and know that they love you.

Project Three Media One Sourcing fixing from Anniemae Goldring on Vimeo.