MacDonnell Regional Council - Aged Care Service Animation

The MacDonnell Shire Aged Care Service identified the need for a communication campaign about the core purpose of the service: allowing elders to remain on country so that they could continue with their fundamental cultural duties, especially with teaching cultural values and language to their grand children. This objective was deemed dependant on the awareness, motivation and effectiveness of this fundamental goal from both the aged care workers, the elders' families and the local community.

The script was developed from field investigation and in close cultural consultation. The story conveys the message through a moving story with three main characters: an old man, an aged care worker and a young boy. 

The movie was made using stop-motion animation (frame-by-frame photograph sequences). Articulated puppets and sets where designed and built for the project. The technique was chosen in order to attain the best possible identification from the audience with the characters. Stop-motion characters look and feel alive.

A TV-ad for community announcement and a poster were produced along with the animation DVD. The DVD and poster have been extensively used in Aboriginal communities across Central Australia for a number of years. The film also captured the attention of festival juries and local TV broadcasters.

The animation DVD included the movie in 6 different languages: Warlpiri, Pitjantjatjara, Luritja/Pintupi-Luritja, Western Arrenrte, Ngaanyatjarra and English.

Great reception of the movie from Aboriginal viewers and strong signs of positive identification have been observed during the few years that the film has been around, distributed by the Council and in collaboration with other organisations which operate in the region.

Executive producer: Rodney Angelo. Writer: Katelnd Griffin. Indigenous script consultant: Don Mallard.

Directed, animated and produced by Leonardo Ortega and Katelnd Griffin.

NPY Women's Council - Mental Health Animations - Uti Kulintjaku

Uti Kulintjaku means ‘to think and understand clearly’ in Pitjantjatjara. The Uti Kulintjaku team is a group of senior Indigenous women, Ngangkari (traditional healers), and mental health professionals. Together, the group is finding a shared language for talking about mental health. Three emotional literacy animations have been developed as part of a larger series of resources based on the premise that finding the right words for your feelings makes you stronger and can help you ask for the help you need.

Animations are available in both Pitjantjatjara and Ngaanyatjarra – highlighting some key words to build emotional literacy. These animations have been directed by Katelnd Griffin. Produced by Periphery Media. Project managed by Emma Trenorden and Angela Lynch, NPY Women’s Council Ngangkari Program.