… ‘HOW TO LOSE JOBS & ALIENATE GIRLFRIENDS’ SET TO SCREEN AT SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS
Gifted UK-based Melbourne film maker, Thomas Meadmore has announced the release of his debut, full-length music documentary, How to Lose Jobs & Alienate Girlfriends, set for a preview screening at Cinema Nova Carlton on July 19 at 10.30am and another at Splendour In The Grass Festival (in their Twilight Film Festival) as part of the Splendour Forum tent on July 27 at 5pm.
How to Lose Jobs & Alienate Girlfriends is a warts-and-all documentary about the rollercoaster creative process of two separate, independent music artists as they pursue their dreams to become professional singers and songwriters.
Directed, filmed, edited and narrated by Meadmore, the doco came to life when encouraged by his boss, Tony Jackson (TV Director, Lonely Planet) to take the plunge and make his first film. But after just a few months behind the camera, Meadmore slams head first in to major pitfalls that see his two subjects and two closest relationships; boss, Jackson (band Speed Orange) and girlfriend/solo artist, Amanda Medica become a disaster zone, and Meadmore’s insecurities flare as he struggles to find a concrete story. Over five years in the making, the resulting outcome of this drama is this unflinching, utterly engaging and incredibly honest documentary.
“I was just following my instincts and filming everything that felt relevant. I figured that people who were serious about becoming professional needed to be realistic and as I didn’t think either of them were realistic, I wanted to get to the truth of what motivated them. So I pushed them for their truth and called them on their contradictions… subsequently the relationships collapsed,” explains Meadmore. “Ultimately the person who I needed to question most was myself – and after all the conflict between us and several years of editing, this is what emerged as the strongest story to tell.”
The doco features interview snippets with a number of prominent Australians including multi-ARIA award winners Tim Rogers (You Am I) and Monique Brumby, world surfing champion, Tom Carroll and acclaimed actress, Bojanna Novakovic. “I felt a connection with Amanda’s struggles to overcome self-doubt. I think that many would find a connection with this. She is endearing, a good person, searching like all of us,” says Brumby.
Meadmore has several noteworthy shorts under his belt and is a highly professional editor who shared an Emmy award (2012) with the team who made Amazing Race Australia. He’s also tried his hand at acting, having appeared on popular Australian series, Neighbours in 2002.
View the trailer for How to Lose Jobs and Alienate Girlfriends| View a scene from How to Lose Jobs and Alienate Girlfriends
SCREENINGS
Saturday July 19 | 10.30am | Cinema Nova, Carlton | Invite only screening + Q&A with Tom Meadmore (director) (please RSVP if interested)
Sunday July 27 | 5pm | Splendour In The Grass Festival – Twilight Film Festival ‘Splendour Forum’ tent | screening + Q&A session with Tom Meadmore (director), Tony Jackson & Aaron D’Arcy (Speed Orange)
www.gofishfilms.com.au www.facebook.com/go.fishfilms www.twitter.com/gofishfilms www.vimeo.com/user4039041 www.imdb.com/company/co0341295/
Emily Chung
