Once upon a time in Ipswich

Local filmmaker shows off Ipswich in council and community funded movie Falling in Slow Motion.

No stranger to adversity, Sarah Dinsey has had to overcome quite a few challenges while making the movie during COVID lockdowns and while battling a chronic illness.

The film is a romantic comedy thats narrative and look has an authenticity based on real life experiences.

Ms Dinsey received a Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grant from Ipswich City Council which supports locally driven content and productions.

Ms Dinsey wrote, produced, edited and acted in Falling in Slow Motion over the course of two separate COVID-19 lockdowns.

“I have lived with Rheumatoid Arthritis for over 14 years now and have always found a sense of belonging, happiness and hope while writing and creating,” Ms Dinsey said.

“While it was my baby, the opportunity to collaborate with the cast and crew was amazing and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without each and every one of them and my friends and family’s support.

Ms Dinsey wanted to make a movie that was heartwarming, funny and sweet that also captured the realities of what having a chronic illness faces alongside those who love them.

“The story has a rawness and a realness to it and I have found people really connect with it and it resonates for them, which is a great way to promote awareness,” Ms Dinsey said.

“I don’t look like your typical leading lady – I’m in my 40s, I am disfigured and have flare ups and get a puffy face.

“My vision was to represent people like me.”

Community, Culture, Arts and Sport Committee Chair Councillor Andrew Fechner said the long-running RADF program gives Ipswich creatives the flexibility to shape their own arts, cultural and performance projects.

“Telling and sharing local stories is incredibly important,” Cr Fechner said.

“Seeing our lives and our city on the big screen helps celebrates the diversity of our experiences and highlights the challenges many face – in Sarah’s case, by having a chronic illness.

“Sarah’s film has already had a positive social and economic impact on our community through the employment of local people as cast and crew where possible, and the hiring of local businesses as filming locations and as accommodation for cast and crew.”

Various locations around Ipswich were used in the film including Memorial Park on Limestone Street, Nicholas Street Precinct, Banshees Bar and Artspace, Ungermann Brothers, Number 1 Computer shop and Ipswich Golf Driving Range and Putt Putt as well as a private home and an Airbnb.

“Ipswich looks amazing on camera, it looks stunning,” Ms Dinsey said.

“The movie looks like it was filmed in London or New York. Ipswich businesses and the community were just great and everyone working on the movie fell in love with Ipswich.”

Already a very personal journey for Ms Dinsey became a legacy for her friend, and inspiration for the male lead character, Nate Griffin who became ill during filming and passed away.

“The film has taken on a whole new level and I want to honour Nate with this story.”

Due to COVID-19 lockdowns, and having to reschedule shoots and having to pay for things twice, the production costs have been higher than budgeted for leaving Ms Dinsey with a financial shortfall.

“I started a GoFundMe page which has really helped and the support has been truly overwhelming with the community’s contributions helping to pay for equipment hire, props and wardrobe as well as travel and catering expenses,” Ms Dinsey said.

“We still need a little help to reach our target budget and if anyone is able to either make a small donation or help us spread the word would be very much appreciated.”

 The Falling in Slow Motion GoFundMe page can be found here: https://au.gofundme.com/f/falling-in-slow-motion

Falling in Slow Motion is due to be released locally in September.

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Ipswich City Council to support local arts and culture.

Round one opens on 1 October for applicants to submit an application which will close on 31 October 2021 for projects commencing after 1 February 2022.

For more information on applying for a RADF grant, read the guidelines here or call council on 3810 6148.

Current members of the RADF Committee are:

• Debbie Chilton (Writing, Visual Arts, Crafts & Design, and Community Arts & Cultural Development)
• Donna Cavanagh (Visual Arts, Crafts & Design)
• Louise Merrington (Music, Writing, and Theatre)
• Nigel Lavender (Music, Theatre, Cultural Tourism, and Community Arts & Cultural Development)
• Shirley Whitta (Visual Arts, Crafts & Design)