BACKGROUND OF YARNING UP SERIES

Yarning Up is a new training initiative created in association with the Northern Territory Film Office, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, National Indigenous Television, Australian Film Commission, the Department of Employment, Education and Training and the Top End Aboriginal Bush Broadcasting Association. The initiative provided a learning opportunity for first time directors from various remote Indigenous communities.

These are the Directors stories made in their communities, told through their eyes.

A workshop was held in late 2007, which helped to give the directors an insight into the process of creating treatments and pitch documents. Out of this workshop four projects were selected by the ABC to be made. With the success of 5-minute initiatives such as Deadly Yarns and Bit of Black Business, this initiative is seen as a training ground, and an opportunity to tell some amazing stories in the remotest parts of this country.

TEABBA (Top End Aboriginal Bush Broadcasting Association) facilitated the original workshop with 10 Indigenous people who have worked in BRACs (Broadcasting from Remote Aboriginal Community Scheme) Units in various communities throughout the Top End. The 4 directors will hold copyright of the films.

Penny Smallacombe the Producer/Series Producer of the Initiative is being supported by AFC through, the Indigenous Producers Initiative Scheme and has been working closely with TEABBA to build on their production base. She was mentored by Pauline Clague one of Australia’s leading Indigenous Producers. Dena Curtis, one of Australia’s leading Indigenous editors, has edited all 4 films.