Back to Reality

Of course, I would like to write. And of course, I would like to be making great films... or art... or something much like so many of you are doing out there.

But instead I've been taking video of young girls... errr... that sounds bad, before you call the cops you should know they parents paid me to do it... errr... wait, no really, there's no need to call the police! It's only football (that's soccer for the non-Europeans).

Australian Women's Football Team

It's always surprising in a small film industry like Australia's where the next job comes from. Now, yes, in the past I've filmed Weddings and the like but I hate that type of thing, it's not really filmmaking and I don't do videography unless it's for a really good friend. I don't need the experience, and although the money's quite good I certainly have that covered through other means. So when one of Mooncar's friends approached me to film football development videos for one of the clubs in the NSW Women's State Premier League my first reaction was, No way!

But then I started to think about it in terms of what it offered the players. I was an A Grade level footballer until my foot broke in two during an off season Comp. Occasionally when drunk I'll happily bore my friends with stories of past footballing glories. I also coached an Under 12s team and know what it's like trying to talk to juniors about aspects of the game (and their game... which is a completely different discussion) while still instilling the most important thing, the same genuine love of the game that I've always had. It also has to be said it's very difficult for young women to find a place in football. I coached one girl on my Under 12s team, the only girl in the competition in fact, and playing against the boys meant she had a lot of bench time until the second half when the bigger, faster boys had slowed down a little. Mind you, it was also because she was a great relief half back and could have an impact on the game just when you needed an offence slowed down to take the pressure off.

So, once a fortnight I rock up to the home games. Film three matches on the trot. Which is fine unless you need a bathroom break. I then edit and produce about 30-40 DVD's which I sell back to the clubs coaching staff, players and their parents (You forget how young sports people are at their peak, gosh, they're only children! I was never that young when I played A grade... surely! Okaaaay, I was a baby). Hopefully, as Coaches and Players review the DVD's, they'll come to a better understanding of their game and the higher level leagues, which in this case is only State and National (like the girls above) teams, will end up with better players for it.

A strange thought for me to be doing a job like that. It's even stranger to be doing videography and finding the process really satisfying.