Ausfilms’ First Nations Spotlight

THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FILM CORPORATION (SAFC) AND AUSFILM ARE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING THE UPSKILLING OF FIRST NATIONS SCREEN CREATIVES AS PART OF THEIR FIRST NATIONS SCREEN STRATEGY AND RECONCILLIATION PLANS

Ausfilm caught up with the rising First Nations crew members, With the support of the SAFC. South Australian Maya Coombs, Adam Galea and Damien Wanganeen are gaining their first feature film credits as Heads of Departments on award-winning director Rolf de Heer’s new feature film and upcoming Umbrella Entertainment release The Mountain.

Here they talk about their career aspirations, their love for screen and their experiences working on the film as first-time HODs. For the full article check out the story on Ausfilm’s page via the link below.

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Maya Coombs

Age: 25
Country: Yankunytjatjara
Role on The Mountain: Production Designer

What has it been like working on Rolf De Heer’s The Mountain?

Working on a Rolf de Heer production was a completely different experience than other film and TV series that I have worked on in the past. After growing up with a lot of his films, to be asked to work on one was certainly a big surprise! His attention to detail and his effort to collaborate with each individual crew member is truly something to be admired. 

Adam Galea

Age: 23
Country: Kaurna
Role on The Mountain: Sound Recordist and Sound Designer/Editor

What has it been like working on Rolf De Heer’s The Mountain?

It’s been amazing! Rolf is really generous with his patience and his time which makes it such a joy, not many situations where you can go to a director and say “I’m not sure if I want to do it this way or that way, what do you think?” It’s also been really great working with an experienced producer like Julie Byrne, who is also South Australian.

Damien Wanganeen

Age: 40
Country: I am of Narungga and Kaurna background
Role on The Mountain: Head of Grips and Gaffer

What has it been like working on Rolf De Heer’s The Mountain?

Seeing other movies directed by Rolf De Heer, I felt it was an honour to work on this production especially coming in as Head of Grips and Gaffer.