A YOUNG Indigenous author from Bega has made an exciting start to a potential career in the film industry.
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Gary Lonesborough began a Diploma of Screen and Media at the Sydney Film School earlier this year – and starts shooting his own short film this weekend.
Mr Lonesborough was named the joint Bega Valley Shire Young Australian of the Year in January.
His citation highlighted his multiple awards as an Aboriginal role model, best and fairest on the rugby league ground, and early work in the Indigenous health sector.
It also pointed out his love of writing, with the 2012 Patrick White Young Indigenous Writers Award to his name, and debut novel Caterpillars and Butterflies published while studying for his HSC during 2013.
That love of writing took him to film school this year.
“It’s been great, I’ve learnt a lot and I’m making lots of friends here,” Mr Lonesborough said this week.
“It’s taking me around the world as well with a lot of international students in the course.
“I’m even learning a bit of Swedish!”
Mr Lonesborough said each of the students in the course has had to write, direct and edit a thesis film.
“We start shooting mine on the weekend and it’s going to be fun,” he said.
“We have 12 hours to shoot it and a $400 budget.”
Thankfully he has his fellow students to call on for cheap crew labour!
“We all help each other out on the film crews.
“I’ve been busy – I’ve worked on about nine films already this year.”
Mr Lonesborough’s short film is set during the 1942 bombing of Darwin.
“It’s about two brothers who hide in a basement during the Darwin bombings.
“When the younger brother realises his older brother is really scared but trying not to show it, he starts playing a piano they find in the basement to distract him.”
Mr Lonesborough said the script’s idea stems from a touch of homesickness for Bega.
“I was shopping for my little brother’s birthday and realised how much I miss him,” he said.
“I wanted to write something about that special relationship brothers have – the unconditional love between brothers.”
Despite missing home a little, Mr Lonesborough doesn’t regret enrolling in the Sydney school.
“It’s probably the best decision I’ve ever made,” he said.
He said there’s an option of an Advanced Diploma next year, but he hasn’t quite decided whether to take that up yet.
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