2024
F ilmBlood
collective retreat
Film not just a medium, it’s a way of seeing. But it’s hard to explain, to rationalize the cost and the effort: we only know how it makes us feel.
In a world that won’t stop shifting, it’s something solid. It’s real.
It’s found its way into our blood.
There are others who feel it too.
I first held two FilmBaby workshops down in Flinders in 2022, in a post-Covid atmosphere that had most of us desperate to do anything that was neither home schooling nor ordinary. After considerable delay thanks to nearly two years of lockdowns, it finally took place. It was pretty beautiful: we ran around like schoolgirls on camp. We shared and listened and photographed. We sipped coffee and wine and jumped from the hot spa to the cold pool and back again and shouted as loud we liked. Some of us swam in the ocean. There were tears and proper hugs and SO MUCH laughter. There was the sense that we really saw, and heard, each other. Yes, we learned more about film, we shot lots of it - but afterwards I realised that my role in all of this was less about what i know about film and as much about making space for a group of talented and passionate women to come together, and pursue their interest - in community.
It’s hard to stay present to ourselves in a world that tugs at us day + night. Creative women wear even more hats than most. And we are sensitive, and modern culture can play those sensitivities until the insides of our heads sound like an out of tune orchestra.
Where and how can we pause? Let alone remind ourselves what it is to play?
There is something special about film, the grain, the graphical intensity, the truthfulness of the rendering of colour and light, and the care required to create each photograph, that mesmerises those who can perceive it. Film photos speak differently.
Even though i first used film cameras 18 years ago at college, it wasn’t until I drove from Perth to Darwin in an RV with four kids aged 3 to 11 that I really got going on the medium. It was a full immersion. I had 3 months to practice, no time pressures, and lots of beautiful locations to encourage me on my journey. I hear frequently from photographers that they too would love to commit to a film practice, or go further with their ideas, but who have been discouraged, afraid to ‘waste’ those expensive little rolls on the necessary learning. But I believe everything is figureoutable.
Whether brand new to film or not, whenever we are readying to commit to the creation of work that is deeper or more brave, it’s hard not to let the many voices of fear get in our head, and in the way.
And among other things, shooting film has taught me that almost everything is better in community, including practicing learning to trust and empower my unique creative self.
this is what i can offer to the dark; to do my best to keep my own candle alight
the
d etails
Dates: 19th/20th April 2024, + a half day Zoom follow up session 3-4 weeks later.
Location: Flinders, VIC
Cost: $700 or $1200
Choose your own adventure: choose to attend this retreat as either a Mentor or Mentee, these are outlined further below, and you can add on accommodation if desired.
Inclusions: Professionally catered vegan meals, 2 rolls of film, 2 days of learning, live model sessions, a film portrait by Sarah, live Zoom session post-retreat.
On-site Accom: Available from $200
What you need to bring: any film camera (35mm or medium format), batteries. A handheld light meter OR a light meter app on your mobile phone (eg Pocket Light Meter).
Come to share or learn about all things film. Stay for the creativity, the space to play, the long talks about why we do anything anyway, the spa under the stars and the belly laughs.
Day 0: Visitors from further away, who are staying at the house, are welcome to arrive Thursday afternoon, as it is a long drive from Melbourne airport. Accommodation can be offered this evening at no extra cost, including provision of a simple pre-retreat meal. Complimentary transport from Camberwell may be able to be arranged.
Day 1: Friday, 10-6pm. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, catered dinner all included. Retreat days will include mentor-sharing sessions, discussions on film and creativity, live shoots, portrait-making for each other, walking and swimming. Dinnertime will be an extension of the day, with plenty of time for questions and delving into any specific areas of interest.
Day 2: Saturday 9-5pm. Ocean swim for those interested. Breakfast, lunch and snacks included. Itinerary as per day 1, detailed schedule to be provided closer to workshop date. Dinner this day is optional, and will be a simple bbq style at the house.
Live Zoom follow-up: Approx 3 weeks after the residential workshop, there will be a Zoom follow-up meet, for sharing scans of work made during the workshop and airing any follow-up questions. This will take place from 10am-1pm on a weekday, by mutual arrangement. Attendees will have responsibility for developing and uploading their own scans from 2 rolls of film, for group review.
How does this work?
One of the aims of this retreat is to make a nurturing and rich learning experience available to more attendees at a lower cost than is usual for these types of collective experiences. The idea is that the shared mentoring approach will make space for this in a unique and transformative way. This retreat aims to have all learning together, in an atmosphere of non-judgement, shared experience and growth. Modern life has us separated and silo’d in ways that can be detrimental to both mental health and creative development. We are stronger and more inspired when supported in community, and encouraged onwards in pursuit of our own personal goals and projects by like-minded artists.
What is a Mentor place?
The only mentoring requirement is to share one 20 minute presentation (in your own style, with or without accompanying materials such as slideshows or print artifacts) during the retreat. Although there are no restrictions to enrolments for the mentor places, it will be more transformative for all if the mentors have a well-considered message, experience or practice to share, and are reasonably experienced film shooters. If you are enrolling as a mentor, you will need to describe two topics that you would be comfortable to share during the retreat, to ensure a variety of subject matter.
‘What you have caught on film is captured forever... It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.’
- Aaron Siskind
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Experienced film shooters or capable digital photographers, either way, you’ll be able to make more of the experience if you have a solid understanding of photography principles, and have experience using a camera in manual mode.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at sarah@sarahblackphotography.com.au
Book the retreat
Please note: Once you have reserved your place in this retreat, in the event that you are unable to attend FilmBlood 2024, you are responsible for re-selling the enrollment. Refunds will not be offered, but transfers of enrolment will of course be welcomed. Your acceptance of this responsibility helps to make this workshop available at a price that is considerably lower than most retreats of this nature, which makes it more equitable. Thankyou for understanding.
