The “Fear and Loathing” Documentary Seminar Series was held on Friday 18th and involved a guest panel of top key industry speakers including Richard Lowenstein, Jeni McMahon, and Alex West all of which play a crucial role in the documentary film industry in Australia and abroad. During the seminar key themes, questions, ideas and major insights arose as a result of strong collaboration between guests and audience interaction.
The questions presented to our panel were industry related, insightful, engaging and directed towards our audience members to help them obtain crucial information about ways to enter the industry in Australia, more precisely the documentary genre. Most of our audience appeared engaged and enjoyed the seminar experience we provided. Our guest panel was able to provide some fantastic information into the various pathways one can pursue to help them obtain a position in the vast number of agencies, organisations, television stations and film networks available.
Our guests were some of the top industry professionals. Each with their own independent documentary, film and broadcast credits. “The opportunities are out there, provided you follow a few basic guidelines” (West). The information we received was more than we could’ve hoped. “Watch documentaries, read trade publications and websites, know the players, and know the types of people you would like to work for and on what kinds of projects” (Lowenstein). “It’s is a detail-oriented business, and it’s important to make sure when applying for jobs that your application is well read, making sure names and titles are accurate because knowing people is a good start. It’s about being professional and knowing how to do things correctly” (McMahon).
“Fear and Loading” Documentary was ultimately a seminar that was set up to provide students with information about how they can involve themselves in the documentary filmmaking industry in Australia and abroad. It was our hope that we could provide the younger generation of today with crucial information about how to navigate such a difficult, complex and niche industry. In doing so, we also hoped to provide students with a memorable experience, networking opportunities, and a place where they could stimulate thought and creativity and really harness in more detail the types of career pathways they would like to pursue.
The Team
Gabrielle McLeod: Group Leader, MC and seminar plan / question writing
David Lo Monaco: Food and set up (lay out of the stage)
Marta Malchevski: Food and set up (lay out of the stage)
Tom Hatchman: Sourcing Guests
Carl Gibson: Promo video and recording of seminar
Ella Thompson: Promo video and recording of seminar
Michael Estilles: Promo video and recording of seminar
Axel Debenham-Lendon: Poster and promotions
Ajeet Singh: Poster and promotions
Nadine Keegan: Poster and Promotions
Kate Nickels: Social Media
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