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ABC iVIEW ORIGINALS Documentary series  -­‐  5 Episodes  

© 2017

 

RELEASE DATE: MARCH 8 2017  

     

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ONE-LINER The world’s first-ever pop girl group with disabilities is about to launch a music video that could change the face of pop music forever. SYNOPSIS The Sisters of Invention are the world’s first pop girl group with disabilities. Determined to challenge society’s pre-conceived ideas about who can be a pop star, the group are getting ready to release an ambitious music video to accompany their debut album. But can they break free of the tough reality of living with a disability? TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Genre: Documentary Duration: 5 episodes Total Running time: 38 mins Aspect: 16:9 Language: English Release Format: iview Originals Release sound: Stereo Production Company: Budaya Productions Country of Origin: Australia Funded by: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC TV)

& South Australian Film Corporation Release Date: March 8, 2017 (International Women’s Day) Contact: Katrina Lucas Producer/Director +61 409 690 660 trina@budaya.com.au Downloads: High Res images: http://bit.ly/2lESD4i

Music Video preview: http://bit.ly/2krTSPr

     

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DISABILITY DOESN’T MAKE YOU EXCEPTIONAL BUT QUESTIONING WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT IT DOES STELLA YOUNG  

 

     

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ONE PAGE SYNOPSIS

POP-ABILITY is an original online web series about The Sisters of Invention, a group of bold, audacious and unapologetic singers: there’s pitch perfect Annika whose blindness has heightened her musical ear; sweet-tempered Michelle born with Cerebral Palsy; fashion queen Caroline who despite her learning disability can tear up the dance floor; Jackie whose tough exterior hides a emotional soul struggling with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; and last but not least Aimee, whose sassy diva personality is enhanced by her Williams Syndrome.

As the world’s first-ever girl band with disabilities, they dream of fame and fortune as they get ready to make an ambitious music video to accompany their debut album.

But the reality is that women with disabilities are one of our most disadvantaged groups, rendered largely invisible especially in the realm of pop culture. Together with their multi-talented mentor and musical producer Michael Ross, this groundbreaking girl group is determined to change all that.

Michael pushes each of them to reveal their most vulnerable selves in the song-writing process, to share their stories and create catchy pop songs that are edgy and irreverent and deal with universal themes of love, pain and loss.

But their professional ambitions soon come into conflict with the reality of living with a disability. When an opportunity comes up for Aimee to move into supported accommodation with Annika and Michelle, it could finally be a chance for them to experience long-term independence. But Aimee’s hyper-sensitivity could mean the experience is far too overwhelming for her. Furthermore, Michelle has never lived away from her protective family, and Annika’s life has been mostly confined to a small country town.

Meanwhile, Jackie is set on getting her driver’s license and Caroline is struggling to get back on her feet as she recovers from a cancer diagnosis last year. And to top it all off, since dedicating the past three years of his life to the group, Michael is exhausted and anxious to get back to his own music career.

POP-ABILITY explores the transformative power of music and how The Sisters of Invention – as individuals and as a group – fight against their own limitations and the barriers imposed by the world around them to gain personal independence and creative freedom.

     

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EPISODE SYNOPSES

EP 1: THE ALBUM

The Sisters of Invention launch their debut album to a packed house. Back at their studio at Tutti Arts, one of the band members – Jackie – talks about dealing with grief and depression that producer Michael helps turn into a song. Lead singer Aimee is hoping to move out of home with two of the other girls Michelle and Annika.

EP 2: THE LOOK

The group rehearse their song ‘Begin This Expedition’. Aimee, Michelle and Annika visit a supported living sharehouse that they hope to move into. We learn Michelle has only ever spent one night away from home, so this is a major step for her. The girls are trying on outfits for the big music video and Caroline reveals that she is in recovery from a cancer diagnosis. Jackie wants to try for her driver’s license despite her Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Syndrome.

EP 3: THE SONG

The group rehearse their song ‘The Church on the $50 Note’ which is inspired by Jackie’s story. Michael is stressed about the upcoming music video launch. Jackie tries for her driver’s license but is unsuccessful. The girls have just moved into their sharehouse and are excited and nervous. Aimee reveals she has a difficult relationship with her dad and the group begin writing a song about it.

EP 4: THE VIDEO

The Sisters of Invention are filming their big music video in an urban alleyway with a colourful cast of characters. It’s a long day for the girls and Aimee gets overwhelmed. Back at the sharehouse we find her struggling to settle in. Michelle on the other hand is coping much better than expected. Michael is at a rehearsal with his new band, which is beginning to take up more of his time. EP 5: THE LAUNCH

The pressure of the upcoming music video launch is mounting. At the sharehouse Aimee is doing much better. The big launch day arrives and everyone is nervous and excited. Luckily Caroline is well enough to perform. Despite the prospect of Michael spending more time on his new project, everyone is positive the group will continue to achieve great things. They rock the stage and the crowd goes wild for them and their new music video.

     

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I WANT TO LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE WE DON'T HAVE SUCH LOW EXPECTATIONS OF DISABLED PEOPLE THAT WE ARE CONGRATULATED FOR GETTING OUT OF BED STELLA YOUNG  

 

     

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INTRODUCING THE SISTERS OF INVENTION AIMEE The group’s lead singer and diva, Aimee was born with Williams syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterised by distinctive facial features and a highly sociable personality. Those with WS can have poor health and high anxiety, but also a strong propensity for music and Aimee learnt to sing before she could even walk. Now that she’s turned 30, Aimee desperately wants to live on her own so when an opportunity comes up to move into supported accommodation with two of the other band members, Aimee has high hopes that her dream may finally become a reality.

JACKIE Raised by her white foster mum, 27-yr-old Jackie has remained close to her Aboriginal family despite being born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, a condition she shares with her four biological brothers and sisters. Although Jackie is the most independent of the group, she has trouble with her memory and has big mood swings. She likes to project a tough image, but underneath is a softie whose favourite pastime is hanging out with her little cousins. Now she’s determined to take the next step to full independence and go for her driver’s license, despite her memory problems.

     

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MICHELLE Born with Cerebral Palsy – a movement disorder that affects her ability to balance and walk – Michelle has lived a very sheltered life with her close-knit family. A sweet-natured and smart young women, Michelle is also the most reluctant to break out of her comfort zone. Having only ever spent one night away from her parents, Michelle’s plan to move into a sharehouse with Aimee and Annika will be the biggest challenge she’s ever faced. CAROLINE Fashion and fun loving, Caroline’s learning disability hasn’t stopped her pursuing a passion for music and dance. In addition to being part of the Sisters of Invention, Caroline is also a member of Restless Dance Company. With strong stage presence and high-energy performance skills, it was a big shock for everyone when she was diagnosed with cancer 18 months ago. Fortunately, Caroline’s cancer is now in remission, but while she recovers the physical demands of performing still take their toll.

     

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ANNIKA Born almost entirely blind, happy-go-lucky Annika is the emotional and musical rock of the group. With a photographic memory and a pitch perfect ear, the girls rely on her to remember lyrics and keep in tune when performing. Annika’s family supports her to commute from their home in the remote town of Orroroo – 4.5 hours drive from Tutti Arts. She’s been boarding during the week but is now ready to move into full time accommodation with her friends. MICHAEL A force to be reckoned with, Michael’s passion for creating high quality music means that he treats the Sisters like he would any professional artist; making them work hard and pushing them far beyond their comfort zones. Since working tirelessly on their debut album, Michael’s dedication to the group has started to wane and now he wants to focus again on his own music. As the heart and creative driving force behind the group, it’s hard to imagine how they will be able to continue without Michael’s involvement.

     

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TUTTI ARTS Working tirelessly behind the scenes to make The Sisters of Invention a success is Tutti Arts – a multi arts organisation based in South Australian with the vision of taking the work of artists with a disability to the world. Founded by South Australian composer/playwright Pat Rix and now in its 20th year, Tutti works across all art forms to support the professional development of artists with a disability, to produce, make and share their art in professional settings. Tutti Arts is characterised by an emphasis on participation, by a disability led approach to decision-making and leadership, and by how diversity runs right through its work. People with disability are involved in all aspects of the organisation from board membership to programming, hiring and recruitment. All five singers in The Sisters of Invention and have come up through Tutti’s choral and performing arts programs before combining in 2012 to become the world’s first girl band The Sisters of Invention. LINKS More about Tutti Arts www.tutti.org.au The Sisters of Invention Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/thesistersofinvention/ Article by renowned Disability Activist Stella Young http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-03/young-inspiration-porn/4107006 An overview of the status of women with disabilities in Australia http://wwda.org.au/about/snapshot/ Arts Access Australia – The peak national body for arts and disability http://www.artsaccessaustralia.org

     

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DIRECTOR STATEMENT

KATRINA LUCAS

When Michael and The Sisters of Invention first played me their music, I was completely blown away. Not just because it is as well-written and well-produced as any major artist on commercial radio and deserves to be heard in its own right, but because it also smashes the stereotypes of ‘disability art’, leaving an entirely fresh and original picture of one of the most accessible arts forms on the planet: pop music.

But I don’t want people to just download the group’s music on iTunes (although that is a great way to support the girls in becoming successful independent artists!) I want them to witness the remarkable creative collaboration between the Sisters and their producer Michael, and understand what’s involved in creating groundbreaking music with young singers who are facing some very complex physical, emotional and mental challenges. Most of all, I want people to question their own assumptions about those we call disabled, and the way we objectify them and their stories as ‘inspirational’ rather than acknowledge any real achievement.

After I directed the music video for the group’s debut single This Isn’t Disneyland (http://bit.ly/1B6ZZyG) which garnered thousands of hits online and international media attention, the group asked me to make a second, more ambitions music clip that might further help push them into the mainstream consciousness.

When ABC and SAFC announced their iview Originals series initiative I knew this would be an ideal opportunity to create a documentary series that would not only follow the creative process of the group in their studio at Tutti Arts and the lead up to making the big music video, but reveal their personal lives outside of the group where, like all of us, they deal with their own struggles for independence, family complexities, anxieties, hopes, fears and dreams.

     

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CREW BIOS DIRECTOR / PRODUCER KATRINA LUCAS Katrina has worked with diverse communities and individuals to produce and direct documentary films. Her work has screened on both big and small screens around the world, including SBS, ABC, NITV, Al Jazeera English, The Adelaide Film Festival and The Enable Film Festival at the UN Headquarters in New York. In 2011 she directed a documentary about street art that was nominated for an Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) Award, with second recent nomination in the music video category. EXCECUTIVE PRODUCER LAUREN DREWERY Lauren works as a writer, producer and story editor and has more than 25 years of documentary production experience in Australia, Canada and Italy. She was a founding member of HotDocs and has been a writer on films for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, TV Ontario and the National Film Board of Canada. Her recent documentary credits include programs for ABC, SBS, Nat Geo Australia and Discovery Channel.

     

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EXECUTIVE PRODUCER SUSAN MACKINNON Susan has worked as an independent producer for 27 years, winning awards and international acclaim and is a leading figure in the documentary industry. Susan’s recent credits include Cast from The Storm, the feature documentary Paul Kelly – Stories of Me, Life In Movement, winner of the Best Documentary at the Sydney Film Festival, and Honeybee Blues, winner of the Earth Vision Award, Tokyo.

CINEMATOGRAPHER / EDITOR MARK ANDERSSON Mark is an ACS award winning cinematographer with over 10 years experience. Mark has a strong background in observational documentary and has shot broadcast television, short films as well as corporate and educational content. He has filmed in remote Aboriginal communities and has also worked for Republic Pictures in Indonesia as a DOP and Editor.

     

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FULL CREDIT LIST

     

Directed & Produced by Katrina Lucas

Executive Producers

Lauren Drewery Susan MacKinnon

Camera Operators Mark Andersson

Katrina Lucas

Additional Camera Dave Gregan

James Ward-Miller

Offline/Online Editor Mark Andersson

Sound Mix

John Bridges

Wardrobe Designer Kate O’Boyle

Performance Makeup

Anita Rutter

Performance Hair Abi Wales

Musicians

Holly Thomas Sam Leske

Tim Wilsdon Karen De Nardi

Stills

Daniel Purvis

     

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Special Thanks to

Tutti Arts and Pat Rix

The Sisters of Invention: Aimee Crathern Jackie Saunders

Michelle Hall Caroline Hardy Annika Hooper Michael Ross

Wendy McMillan

Alina Flink Dianne and David Hall

Anne Fisher & Ian Hardy Wendy & Warren Hooper

Thanks also to

Vicki Sugars, SAFC Service SA Nexus Arts

Music All tracks from the self titled album by The Sisters of Invention

© 2015 The Sisters of Invention Performed by The Sisters of Invention

Courtesy of Tutti Music

An initiative of the South Australian Film Corporation

     

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and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Commissioning Editor Andrea Ulbrick

ABC EP

Nicola Swift

© 2017 Budaya Productions