Inside The Swan Brewery – setting up the dolly. Sphinx Prod © 1985
In 1985, I met Peter Aquilina through production & direction courses at FTI and set up Sphinx Productions to gain professional experience in our chosen careers of film and video.
We worked well, Pete was technically amazing I had loads of admin experience but both of us wanted the freedom to direct and produce our own stuff. On our ‘zero’ budget, we knew we had to start small.
My 8 year old daughter watching Pete set up shots inside the Old Swan Brewery. Sphinx Prod © 1985.
As Functions Manager of the Riverton and Kelmscott Hotels and High Road Tavern in the early 80’s, I ran a talent quest ‘Best in the West’ to attract patrons into the venues. On top of the $1000 cash prize, I offered the winning talent a promotional video – a big deal in those days.
So, the first music video I wrote, produced and directed was named for the song called ‘Shattered Windows’ – remember, this was 1985 and music videos were all the rage.
Northbridge St. Sphinx Prod. © 1985
The song was written and performed by two excellent (and very cute according to my 8 year old daughter) Break-Dancers. But they didn’t want a dance video, they wanted to showcase their music.
I wrote a script, weaving a visual story but also to work professionally with a blueprint. Over about 5 or 6 weekends spent with friends and borrowed equipment, we got it all shot and edited just in time to enter the FTI Film Awards.
While shooting the zero-budget video, we used four locations; a street in North Perth, The Old Perth Railway Station, the burnt-out Swan Brewery (with permission) and the Mid-West TV studio where Pete worked at the time.
At the door, Northbridge. Sphinx Prod © 1985
Although it’s not a perfect copy I’m still pretty proud, all these years later. I’d love to know what happened to the talented Break Dancers.
My film-partner, 18 year old Peter Aquilina won the FTI Young Filmakers Cinematography Award in 1985.
He’s producing amazing screen work all over the world but with much bigger budgets, now…
@FrancesMForde ##FrancesMacForde #PeterAquilina #VIDEO:ShatteredWindows #FilmTVInstitute #Mid-WesternTV
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