Bus Stop Films edit
| Formation | 2009Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page without content in them (see the help page). |
|---|---|
| Founder | Genevieve Clay-Smith and Eleanor WinklerCite error: There are <ref> tags on this page without content in them (see the help page). |
| Type | Non Profit Organisation |
| Headquarters | Suite 508
50 Holt Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010, AustraliaCite error: There are<ref> tags on this page without content in them (see the help page). |
Key people | Tracey Corbin-Matchett (Current CEO)Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page without content in them (see the help page). |
| Website | https://www.busstopfilms.com.au |
Bus Stop Films (BSF) is a non profit organisation that provides an attainable film studies program directed to people with an intellectual disability and others from disadvantaged communities. The organisation is voluntarily run and is based in Sydney, with workshops expanding to Canberra and Wollongong [1][2]. It was co-founded in 2009 by Genevieve Clay-Smith and Eleanor Winkler after the pair worked together on the Tropfest 2009 award winning short film 'Be my Brother'[3]. The organisation's specialises in providing industry experience and employment opportunities on professional sets, education and training resources as well as inclusive filmmaking for people from diverse and marginalized backgrounds[4]. Tracey Corbin-Matchett became CEO in July 2019, succeeding Genevieve Clay Smith, who served as CEO from the organisation's establishment in 2009[5].
History edit
Whilst studying filmmaking at university in 2007, Genevieve received the opportunity to create a documentary for 'Down Syndrome NSW' after replying to a newspaper article at the young age of 19 [6]. She spent time two years working on the documentary, working with 6 families during this "life changing" experience[6]. One of the participants, Gerard O'Dwyer, caught the eye of the inspiring filmmaker after he unexpectedly quoted a soliloquy from Romeo and Juliet during their first meeting. Genevieve wrote a script called 'Be My Brother' in 2008, inspired by Gerard passion and the barriers the disabled community face constantly [7]. Eleanor Winkler, friend and mentor of Genevieve, accepted the opportunity to work on the project as a producer, providing the knowledge and experience of producing film as well as having previous experience working with disabled people in the film industry during acting workshops [3][8]. Gerard played the lead role in the short film, with a further 5 people with disabilities fulfilling crew roles on set [3]. Filming concluded in 2009 and the film was enter into Tropfest, the world's largest short film festival. 'Be my Brother' won Tropfest 2009 for best short film and Gerard O'Dwyer won best actor at the festival. The success of the short film prompted the beginning of Bus Stop Films as Eleanor and Genevieve wanted to create more projects like 'Be my Brother', combining workshops and practical filmmaking opportunities to people with disabilities who usually face exclusion in education and workplace opportunities [3]. The short film also inspired the name of the organisation, as it was set at a Bus Stop[3].
Mission edit
Disabled people are commonly excluded from adequate training and employment due to the social and financial challenges they face which can have a great impact on income, skills and contribution to society [9]. For example, prior to the success of 'Be my Brother', Gerard O'Dwyer found it difficult to be noticed in the film industry due to being a young man with Down Syndrome [10]. The short film's success was the catalyst for the non-profit organization and prompted the overarching goal to demonstrate that "access and involvement make a difference" [9].
Through providing workshop participation and industry experience, Bus Stop Films aims to provide a pathway for participating in filmmaking for marginalised communities, break down barriers of entry to the industry, build skills and allow a safe environment for learning [4]. The company aims to build students confidence to pursue goals and become more independent whilst making students more employable [11].
Bus Stop Films engage in the creation of professional short films to help address societal wide problems regarding the disabled community including raising important awareness, breaking down social stigmas and providing an insight into a different human perspective [4].
Current Operations edit
Section will explore the growth of the organisation and how the organisation is currently operating to fulfil the aforementioned mission.
- Current projects
Notable Members edit
Gerald, Genevieve, Elenonor, Tracy
Filmography edit
- List of Films, genre of film, quick synopsis, year created
| Year | Project Name | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Be My Brother | A story about a young disabled man who attempts to change the perspective of two people he meets at a bus stop using a dictaphone and his charm.
|
| 2009 | Frances And Annie | This short mystery film tells the story of a young woman who faces an unexpected tragedy when visiting her new neighbors, with her judgement on the situation depending on a face and a note[13]. |
| 2010 | Beautiful | The story of two people living with disabilities who build a relationship whilst dealing through family and societal issues.
|
| 2012 | The Interviewer | The award winning short film about a man called Thomas Howell who endures an unusual interview with a prestigious law firm |
| 2013 | I Am Emmanuel | |
| 2014 | Heartbreak & Beauty | |
| 2014 | Work Mate | |
| 2016 | Gambling With Minds | |
| 2017 | Gratus | |
| 2017 | Kill Off | |
| 2018 | Broken |
Awards and Accolades edit
References edit
{{Non Profit Organisations in Australia}}
- ^ "Bus Stop Films". Bus Stop Films. Retrieved 2020-01-29.
- ^ "Programs". Bus Stop Films. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
- ^ a b c d e "Our History". Bus Stop Films. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
- ^ a b c "What we do". Bus Stop Films. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
- ^ "Bus Stop Films CEO delivers on succession plan". FilmInk. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
- ^ a b White, Sue (2017-01-28). "Meet the boss: Filmmaker Genevieve Clay-Smith". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2020-02-05.
- ^ a b "Be My Brother". Bus Stop Films. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
- ^ a b Be My Brother (2009) - IMDb, retrieved 2020-02-12
- ^ a b "Our Mission". Bus Stop Films. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
- ^ Partridge, Nicole (2019-01-18). "How Gerard and Genevieve are challenging the film industry". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
- ^ Clay-Smith, Genevieve (2015). "Thoughts and reflections on engaging people with disability in professional filmmaking".
{{cite web}}: line feed character in|title=at position 28 (help) - ^ "Be My Brother | Genevieve Clay-Smith". Retrieved 2020-02-12.
- ^ Frances and Annie, retrieved 2020-02-12