INTRODUCTION Lifesavers are legends in this country because lifesavers save lives. Beyond The Flags is a portrait of where they come from and where they are going. This film not only furnishes the context of these extraordinary volunteers who risk their own lives - they are not sport stars or celebrities; these are real heroes who represent the best in all of us. Beyond The Flags is an entertaining and informative cultural story
that captures surf lifesaving as the embodiment of Australiana. The characters and stories revealed make this a facinating exploration of surf life saving development by looking at the growth of surf lifesaving over the years. Beyond The Flags will contribute to a collection of films about Australian life by documenting the formal history of surf lifesaving.
WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO DO? With this film, we seek to raise awareness of the lifesaving movement to national and international audiences and to celebrate the story of the Australian Surf Lifesaver, which until now, has never been told via documenatary
film. Beyond The Flags is not only a tribute to Australian surf lifesavers but a tool in which to raise awareness about the men and women of all ages and cultural backgrounds who make our beaches a safer place to swim.
WHAT ARE WE SEEKING? We have identified your organisation part of the surf lifesaving story and a key stakeholder in its traditions and we seek your passion and support in bringing the Australian surf lifesaving story to screen. We are offering associate producer credits on this film in exchange of a nominal funding contribution by your organisation.
We are very close to completing the film; the footage is complete and is currently in final stages of post-production where the story is being carefully crafted. Beyond The Flags requires funding for the voice narration by Australian actor Jack Thompson. We have a letter of confirmation from Linsten Management (Jack Thompson’s agent) that Jack Thompson has read the script and is very interested in providing his talents to this film.
We have developed two opportunities for donating towards the production of the film...
SYNOPSIS Narrated by Jack Thompson Duration: 52 minutes Format: Documentary Genre: Historical / Factual Exposition
The definitive history of surf lifesaving in Australia, Beyond The Flags shows the evolving character of the Australian Surf Lifesaver and tells the story of the lifesaver as an Australian legend. This film follows the emergence of lifesaving and its culture in Australia, using archival footage, helicopter fly-overs, live-action iron man footage and interviews to illustrate
lifesaving’s growing importance in Australian society. Beyond The Flags is the very first film made for Australian Surf Life Saving and the film focuses on the traditions of surf lifesaving traditions, which helped shape the Australian identity and forge the Aussie surf as a national icon.
Featured Interviews... Naomi Flood Iron Woman Champion 2009, Kelloggs Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series Champion, Marty Bell Life Saver, Ron Rankin AO President Surf Lifesaving Australia, Stan Vesper Life Saver Historian (retired), George Champion Life Saver (retired), Shelagh Champion Life Saver (retired), Col McLean Life Saver (retired).
AUDIENCE Lifesaving has had a major impact on Australian culture and the lives of many Australians. Anyone who has been to the beach and especially anyone who’s experienced life saving provides the demographic for this film. Beyond The Flags will appeal to male and female
audiences 25+ who have an interest in sport and history. Beyond The Flags will also serve as an educational resource for students 10+ and can be distributed to libraries, schools and universities.
DISTRIBUTION Beyond The Flags has successfully acquired distribution interest from Ronin Films. The distribution of documentaries is an area in which Ronin has developed a strong following over the years, and the company is without peer as a source of modern educational and non-fiction material for Australian community education. Since 1982 films have been promoted to schools, tertiary institutions, government departments, community, social and solidarity groups as well as to private individuals and collectors. Beyond The Flags has also been offered the following distribution opportunity; VEA, Australia’s largest producer and distributor of high quality educational DVD’s have assessed the film and they think it’s excellent. They consider the film would do well in the educational non-theatrical mark of Australian history and
physical education. VEA will license the film in the Australia and New Zealand territory for a term of 5 years on the following formats: DVD, VHS & Electronic Multimedia
TELEVISION
Beyond the Flags is best suited to a Thursday evening timeslot of 8.30pm For Foxtel’s History Channel, SBS or ABC.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL
National Geographic have expressed an interest in the film; however, they have requested a forty-five minute duration. We are considering this option but would like to present NGC with the option that we now have Jack Thompson as narrator.
DONOR-SHIP We are extremely proud of our nearly completed film and we hope your organisation will join us in the journey in creating the Australian surf lifesaving story. We believe your organisation displays a real passion for surf life saving and has proven a loyal and longstanding supporter. We hope you will consider your organisation can enjoy being incorporated into the fabric of the story. Your association will be taking a leadership role in educating audiences about the services of life savers and your members and associates will enjoy and appreciate involvement in the progress and production of
the film. You will also enjoy the prestige and reputation of identifying yourself as a production partner because of your support in producing this important film to tell an important Australian story. Beyond the Flags may be suitable for your organisation as a public awareness tool; this film can be added onto your campaigns towards your targeted audiences. As a supporter of the film, there are two levels of donor-ships that you can choose from and your organ recieve a tax deduction via the Australian Documentary Foundation.
$2,000 Donation i) Acknowledgement of support in the film credits “Special Thank You” - An invitation to the premiere and networking evening drinks party. ii) Acknowledgement as a donor of the film as a permanent record within the National Film and Sound Archive collection.
$6,000 Donation i) Production Associate Credits on the film’s intro title credits and end credits – this includes credits on Internet Movie Database (IMBD).
ii) Acknowledgements of your support on the Film’s Website and Facebook Page iii) Acknowledgement of support in the film credits “Special Thank You” iv) An invitation to the premiere and networking evening drinks party with an opportunity to address the audience.
v) Acknowledgement as a donor of the film as a permanent record within the National Film and Sound Archives collection.
KEY CREW Tribal Films Tribal Films is a production team of producers, directors, writers and DOP’s based in Canberra and Sydney Australia. We have a diverse collection of films and programs which display our shared passion for cultural heritage, personal history and the arts.
Film & Sound Archive’s Black Screen & 2010 Big Screen programs and awarded official selection at national and international film festivals. Our film Captain of the Team has also featured on Nine’s 60 Minute’s Great Flag Debate.
Tribal Films develops concepts, writes books and is engaged in the development and production of several of its own in-house productions for the internet, television and film festivals. Our portfolio contains a diverse range of content including gallery exhibition film, multi-platform documentary and short film. Our work has appeared in the 2011 National
Tribal Films also supports grass-roots film making and have also managed Short Story Big Screen, the Canberra Short Film Festival and the screening programme compile of the ACT Department of Education’s Step Into the Limelight Film Festival. We also selectively accept commissions for educational and documentary works.
Christopher Collins - DOP Flickapolitan Christopher Collins is the award winning Director / DOP heading Sydney Production Company Flickapolitan made over 50 short films, documentary/drama including Quest for Gold - A six hour Docu-drama set in A Discovery Channel commission filmed in California, Alaska & Australia and The Things We Do - A six Channel series delving into the bizarre occupations Australians do.
Christopher has also made an epis Bonus Mileage A Channel 9 drama series produced by Brian Brown and starring Geoffrey Rush. Christopher’s corporate and commercial clients include Boyer International, CBS Products, Sydney Bu Australia Post, Sanyo, Kodak, Macleans, NEC Electric, Myers/Grace Bros, Bing Lee, KFC Corporate, T Georgio Marciao Fashion, Kellogg’s Coco Pops, Nestle Chocolate, The Daily Mail and NIB Insurance.
KEY CREW Kris Kerehona - Producer Kris is the founder of Tribal Films. He has collaborated on the feature length documentary film “Tibet’s the Tibetan Leader, The Dalai Lama. The film was broadcast on TVNZ Digital Channel 7 New Zealand, Strasbourg International Film Festival, San Fernando International Film Festival and ETNIA Film Festival. The next documentary Kris developed titled “Journey of Hope” the story about an orphan wedding in Kabul.
His latest documentary, Captain of the Team, regarding indigenous representation on the Australian Flag at the Heart of Gold Film Festival, Canberra Short Film Festival, Warrambeen International Film Festival of the NFSA’s Black Screen and Big Screen Program. The film also screened as part of Channel Nine’ Australian Flag debate. Kris is currently working on a documentary called Dancing Auschwitz which tells the survivor’s return to Auschwitz.
Brendon Fehre - Producer/Co-Director Bright One Media Founder of Beyond the Flags and principle investor, Brendon has completed 5 short films including the short film “Risk” which was shown at the 2008 Newcastle Film Festival. He has also produced and directed a film titled “Sydney Body Art Ride”, a charity ride for Children’s Cancer Institute, which screened on Foxtel.
Other Key Personnel... Dr Matthew Marshall: Scriptwriter Emma Gibson: Scriptwriter Greg Evans: Editor Silver Sun Pictures Rohan Taylor: Sound Designer (Silver Sun Pictures)
CONTACT If you are interested in donating to this project and making this worthwhile documentary a reality, please get in touch. We will be very interested in talking to you. Kris Kerehona Mobile: 0411 675 306 Email: info@tribalfilms.com.au Web: www.tribalfilms.com.au