The One Show
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Category
Casting
Annual ID
OS23_MI108M
About the Work
The Reluctant Shanty is the first shanty written from the experiences of former refugees, who’ve embarked on dangerous journeys by sea and survived to tell their story.
For the director, successfully street-casting this piece meant communicating the true refugee experience in its totality – not just its darkness and difficulty, but its vibrancy and strength as well.
Without a sense of hope, the director felt that the spot would deny the humanity of its subjects by reducing them to one-dimensional victims; stripped of their sense of agency.
Casting real refugees was vital, and the director prioritised finding non-actors who are strong for who they are, not just for what they went through.
It was a potent casting choice, but it also demanded ethical consideration. Great care was taken in pre-production to work through the sensitivities of each refugee, ensuring that the experience was empowering rather than traumatic.
On set, this meant placing personally significant objects near the camera; reminders for the performers of great hardship, but also hope and promise.
As a result, the casting draws you into the refugees’ reality; we see these people for who they are, not just the situation they are in.
Singing to camera always feels heightened, so great emphasis was placed on emotionally engaging each performer’s strength and resilience.
2023 Awards
Total Points: 3
Merit
Credits
Agency
BMF / Sydney
Production Company
Finch / Sydney
Music / Sound Production Company
Rumble Studios / Sydney
Post Production Company
Atticus / Sydney
Art Director
Jack Robertson
Copywriter
Robert Boddington
Chief Creative Officer
Alex Derwin
Creative Director
Douglas Hamilton
Director
Kyra Bartley
Director of Photography
James Brown
Editor
Delaney Murphy
Executive Producer
Loren Bradley
Photographer
David Collins
Producer
Nick Simkins
Bryce Lintern
Account Director
Rebekah O'Grady
Agency Producer
Jessica Vella
Chief Executive Officer
Stephen McArdle
Chief strategy Officer
Christina Aventi
Head of Art & Design
Lincoln Grice
Head of TV
Jenny Lee-Archer
Managing director
Corey Esse
Post producer
Kani Saib
Production Designer/Art Director
Janai Anselmi
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