In the early 1970's I had the opportunity to study at the wonderful Swinburne Film & Television School. Fortunately while I moved on with my initially chaotic life, my mother saved the footage of one of my 16 mm student films. Now I've had an opportunity to view the film again. All my old friends are present in the film and the style and themes that I was emerged in at the time are visible.

 

The concerns I had back then are very obvious even in the unedited stock. I didn't try to record sound as every inch of film was precious. So my plan was to add the sound later. Unfortunately I've forgotten the unseen mother's dialogue and I can't lip read the daughter's comments fully. But I have a few modern advantages to rely on, including the talents of others to build up a satisfying sound track.

 

It's interesting to look at the young faces. Some of us have stayed in this difficult industry and others left long ago.

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My leading lady Glenys Rowe has become a well respected, prominent producer and John Hipwell, the rocker in the piece is working with me today on various projects.

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Heart Connection is a combination of my pre-occupation with personal connections, but as a student, I had taken it to the point of madness, an interesting extrapolation; a more daring move than I would have thought for me at that age. 

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The film is a piece of history, a 20 year old's perspective with a student's skill set. Yet the themes of loneliness and disconnection are as recognisable to me as ever.