Omiri Mason has always been drawn to movies, fascinated by unique characters and their backstories.<\/p>\n
As a young boy, Omiri questioned how simple ideas on paper could be transformed onto the big screen.<\/p>\n
“I want to figure out how its made and what you need to do to make these sorts of stuff,” he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I get inspired by the story it’s telling.”<\/p>\n
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Omiri Mason says he doesn’t want to be defined by his disability. (ABC News: Dane Hirst)<\/p>\n
Omiri dreams of one day becoming an actor or film director, telling stories which can make a difference.<\/p>\n
He’s one of four people who recently graduated from a 40-week accessible filmmaking program in Darwin, learning script writing, cinematography, directing and editing.<\/p>\n
Not-for-profit organisation Bus Stop Films has been running the program across Australia since 2009 but it’s the first year it’s been offered in Darwin.<\/p>\n
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Omiri Mason, middle, developed a short feature film called Darwin 74 with help from others in the program. (ABC News: Dane Hirst)<\/p>\n
For Omiri, the experience has been empowering, allowing him to showcase his creativity by working with others to make his own short feature film.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“It’s been good to gain the experience,” Omiri said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I will try to make my own films [because] I have got some ideas.”<\/p>\n
Omiri’s movie features a character who travels back in time during Cyclone Tracy to talk to their grandparents about intergenerational violence.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adnan Reza says the accessible filmmaking program helps improve disability representation in the industry. (ABC News: Dane Hirst)<\/p>\n
Diverse perspectives on film<\/p>\n
Tutor Adnan Reza has worked with production teams on big projects including The Bear and NCIS: Sydney.<\/p>\n
He believes this program and others like it play a crucial role in transforming the sector, leading to the development of more content representative of the community.<\/p>\n