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The Essence of a Media Pass The Essence of a Media Pass

by Joel Mallett | 7 Jan 2012

I just thought I would confuse you with the title as this article is about two things. Number one: I've entered the tennis film festival, Changing Ends. Number two: I've been granted a press pass for the Sydney International!

For the last three years Tennis Australia has ran an independent film festival. Participants are to create a 90 second film incorporating a theme. This year's theme is 'tennis essence'. Most of the videos are funny (or at least quirky) but some are serious or passionate. Production values range from poor to something indicative of professional film makers or at least media students. Watch the entries for yourself at changingends.com.au.

I think the pick of the entries are 'Tennis Lesson Entry' and 'The Book of Essence'. They are polished, well paced and clever. But maybe they're after something a bit more funny, like 2009's winner:

Well I hope they are. My entry is the one entitled 'The Essentials' and can be viewed here.

Having never made a film before it was a fair bit of work. I didn't even have a video camera, so I went out and bought the cheapest high definition one I could find: an $86 Aiptek. The basic story came very easily to me but there was a lot of fine tuning. Several scenes were in the draft but didn't make the final script. I downloaded a free trial of Sony Vegas video editing software and fortunately Audacity, a free audio program, was able to eliminate most of the unnecessary noise (like street noise, wind and a general hum). The music is from http://www.audionautix.com/ and it's totally free!

I have a few reservations about the final cut. I'm not sure if my second sentence in the opening scene is clear but after I shaved my head I couldn't exactly reshoot it. Plus I'm not sure if my exchange at the net with my arch rival is loud enough. Oh well, it's up to the judges now. And my new video camera will certainly come in handy at the Sydney International.

Honestly I never thought I would be approved for a media pass. I have barely written any articles since August and I don't routinely get a lot of views. But there's no harm in applying. I tried the Brisbane International first but didn't hear anything back. I tweaked my application for Sydney (opting to stay in the recommended hotel if successful and faxing - not just emailing - my application) but was still shocked to be accepted.

I leave tomorrow morning for Sydney and am extremely excited! I really don't know what to expect and am not even sure what to wear. I'm sorry folks, but at this stage I don't think I'll interview anyone but I will try to get a fair bit of video and share my daily experiences. I'm only there until Wednesday (a cost saving measure), but that's fine with me. The draws, especially on the women's side, are amazing. Samantha Stosur plays Francesca Schiavone (ranked six and eleven respectively) in round one for crying out loud!

I've got to pack and prepare. Next article written from the Westin hotel Sydney.