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Are you coming to my area?

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Planned upcoming visits in 2022 program (subject to confirmation of schedule)

 

 West

Moorabool Shire

West Wimmera

Dimboola  

Glenelg (youth)

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Northern

Indigo Shire

Benalla rural city council

Mitchell Shire

Greater Shepparton

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East

Cardinia Shire

Baw Baw Shire Council

Yarra ranges (Communities of Burma)

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Melbourne Metro

City of Port Phillip (Multicultural)

Hume

Darebin 

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If you are not from one of these locations you can still contact us and we may have future opportunities to participate.

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What about Coronavirus/Covid-19?

Some locations may commence with online training activity, followed by face-to- face follow up activity in those locations  after once restrictions are eased with advice and following all guidelines from DHHS.

If participating in a workshop you must meet our Covid safe guidelines for participation, which include

• - Full vaccination is a requirement of participation. Please notify us if you have a medical exemption.

• - Ensure physical distancing as much as possible during the workshop, and wear a N95 mask except when safe to remove (outdoors, on camera when others are masked)

• - Observe room density limits and ensure adequate room ventilation

• - Practise good hygiene and hand washing, and sanitisation

• - Avoid interactions in enclosed spaces

• - Do not attend if infectious, if you test positive for Covid, if you are experiencing any symptoms or have been in close contact recently with anyone who has.

• - Follow any other Victorian government current advice on Covid.

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What phone do I need to participate?

Any smartphone or device with a camera will do, however devices older than around 2016 may struggle in terms the latest filming and editing apps. If you have an older phone or pocket video camera, you can still participate and we will work with you to provide access to temporary tools so you can make a film.

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What else do I need to bring?

We'll provide you with notes from the workshop, and as you make your second film, a complete reference handbook to smartphone filmmaking. You can prepare​ for the workshop by:

• bringing an idea for a digital story that we will make during the workshop - something unique or interesting you can say about yourself, along with some photos or video clips if you have them to include in that story (don't worry too if you don't have anything, we'll help you make your story)

• for remote workshops during Covid-19 please install Zoom client on your computer

• Install these apps on your phone:

  • What's App - for communicating with trainer and group

  • Dropbox App - for sharing video files (we'll give you our account details, so just the app is fine)

  • A free editing App of your choice - we recommend Adobe Rush (iOS or Android), iMovie (likely already on iOS/iPhone), or Power Director or Capcut Mobile App (Android)

  • (optional) A professional camera app like FiLMiC Pro 

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What kind of story can I make?

We'll make a short digital story about you during the two -day workshop, and also help you prepare to make your own original short story (your second film) along with ongoing remote mentoring support after the workshop. With the smartphone in your pocket, you can bring just about any story to life!​ You might choose to make a narrative short comedy, drama, documentary​​​​ or other video content such as a music video, viral content, event film, travel film or vlog, or an experimental or art film. We'll also help you share your work on a range of platforms such as film festivals, YouTube, IG TV, TikTok other web sites or community screenings!

Watch this video - What Can I make? 

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Do I own my films?

Yes (but give the project organisers permission to share them).

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What do I need to do?

A smartphone story can be made by anyone. Bring a personal oral story to tell during the workshops & photos or video clips if you have them (to make your first 1-minute long digital story within the workshop, as you learn technical skills). We will then work with you remotely for 3 months after the workshop as you make your own original film in any format. A story can be made by one person, or by a team of people. We'd love to see stories set in places audiences haven't seen before, and that talk about new and different things. Finally, after 3 months, we will come back together to premiere all our films at a local screening event!

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Do I need any experience?​

All Victorians are encouraged to participate, including complete beginners or people who already have some experience. If you have a little more experience or want to take a deeper dive into filmmaking after the introductory workshop, you should also check out our optional extension program.

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Why is VicHealth funding this program in 2020-2022?

Smartphone stories is a creative arts-based project that contributes to health and wellbeing by reducing social isolation, building self esteem and strengthening community connection through accessible filmmaking practices.

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Have your own question not answered here? Ask us on our Contact Page.

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