Video

Tons of Sense – Take Back the Night

Circus, Video, Visual Art

Dressing up and heading for a night on the town should never make anyone feel uncomfortable or afraid.

It doesn’t matter what clothes you wear, or where you walk, if you are drunk or if you’re alone — There is never an excuse for sexual violence.

handtohand

We took to the streets of Melbourne to spread a message of femininity and positivity. Fighting against sexual violence may seem like a monumental process but everyone can do something to raise awareness and fight against victim shaming.

 

glow hops

In these pictures we wanted to show people wearing clothes that made them feel great, doing things they love. They are about claiming urban spaces and making them our own. We refuse to accept the notion that the onus is on us to cover up and stay indoors; the night should belong to everyone!

 

sham

 

Sexual violence in Australia is a large and complex issue, here we have touched on just one facet that we felt we could address — That it’s everyone’s right to feel safe at night. This shoot was inspired by the Take Back the Night foundation, an awesome group that raises awareness around issues involving violence against women, as well as providing support to people who have suffered domestic or sexual violence. You can check them out on Facebook here.

 

Maggie Rees

 

Photography by Jessica Howes

Videography by Isaac Lawry 

Digging Up: How to Do a Photo Shoot

Behind the Scenes, Circus, Digging Up, Video

Digging Up is a fortnightly segment that shares advice for building your own circus practise- from a struggling artist just trying to ‘Dig Up’.

So here is a very well thought out guide on how to carry out a photoshoot….

 

But in all seriousness taking quality photos is an important part of marketing any project. It can seem like a daunting task but here are a few easy steps to take to ensure that you walk away from a shoot with usable photos (without costing an arm and a leg).

1. Scout an interesting location

Hiring a studio is expensive and finding one with the space to do circus tricks is very difficult. Instead I would recommend  finding an unusual but relevant location to take your pictures. For our ‘Stand Here’ shoot we used the Testing Grounds in Melbourne, which is also the place the project would take place. Often if you have already sourced a venue they will be happy to negotiate a time for you to use the venue for promo pics. Or if the venue doesn’t have the vibe you are looking for choosing a location that fits the theme of your show. For example check out this shoot by Na Djinang Circus– shooting promo for their show ‘Social Staples’ in a cool retro kitchen. 

2. Find a good photographer

You can find a lot of great photographers in Facebook groups like the Melbourne creative network (they have a Facebook group in each state). Groups like this area  great way to find talented photographers who are also at the start of their careers and are willing to work together on a shoot TFP (Time for prints) or at reduced/ student rates. Make sure that if you are negotiating a TFP shoot that it is clear how to credit everyone involved and explain exactly how the photos will be used. Once you’ve found a photographer that you work well with I try and give them priority for any paid shoots that come up. You shouldn’t expect someone to work with you for free every time, just because they did once.

 

3. The details matter

The difference between an average promo photo and a great one is in the details. This includes things like having cohesive clothing/ costumes, makeup and hair. Check what is in the background of images and clear clutter if needed. Which direction is everyone in the photo looking and what expression do they have? To help with all these little parts I find it really useful to have a mood board and shot list. This is particularly relevant if you are working with a photographer who doesn’t know a lot about circus. having a shot list with pictures of the poses you want gives the photographer a clear idea of what to shoot.

So here is the image we ended using as our ‘Hero Image’ for the Stand Here shoot. We’d love to know what you think?

postersmall

Captured by EmmelineD Photography

Beginnings

Circus, Video

Momentum is the impetus and driving force gained by the development of a process or course of events, all you need is a beginning.

Beginnings examines how things start and how passion, creativity and investigation can all flow from one person to another.

“Uncertainty is a very good thing: it’s the beginning of an investigation, and the investigation should never end.”
-Tim Couch

Cast
Latonya Wigginton
Abby Kelso
Winter Chapman
Maya Tregonning
Rachael Boyd
Ellen Grow
Anna Fisher
Nicole Pienaar
Karina Schiller

Music ‘No Rest For the Wicked’ by Winter Chapman 
Filming by Caleb Morgan and Patter Productions 

Photography By Kieran McNamara