Future to the Back Aspiration for Mt. Morgan
Was it fate or just chance? The offer of the helicopter pilot to take the student camera operator to get some aerial footage to include in the webisode proved to be the start of a game changer. A game changer for the web TV series and also for the town. The town of Mount Morgan. Councillors were clamouring to claim the idea as their own, though most couldn’t remember the one sentence item on their agenda recommending a motion be passed for a twelve part webisode recording people living in Mount Morgan as if they were in the late 1800’s, after gold had been discovered, be submitted for possible State and Federal Government arts funding. Whether it was the idea, the enthusiasm of the State Member, the involvement of the CQ University or a desire to give something back to Mount Morgan, the funding application was successful. With an experienced mentor, students from the university’s media, graphics design and drama departments were now working on a real life project – a 12 part webisode titled “Ironstone”. Early screenings were pretty basic; however it was gaining a curiosity appeal. Admittedly from locals and friends and families of people involved in its production. Though with international University students involved the geographic reach was immense. Accompanying vlogs were getting viewed on youtube and other social media tools like twitter were helping spread the appeal.
A local helicopter pilot needing to get his hours up offered to take a camera operator to get an aerial view of the town. This footage used at the start of webisode six was about to take the series into the stratosphere. A relative of an overseas student involved in the production flippantly mentioned the website at BBC studios in London. A semi interested listener later searched the web site. The vision of a road winding up the Mountain, with its tight twists was mouth watering. Further research and a little reference revealing another road linking it was called the Razorback made it perfect. This had to be included in their itinerary for their forthcoming Australian tour. Jeremy mentioned it on the show that he had a perfect challenge for the boys while in Australia. He went on to explain the webisode on which this twisting, turning track chiselled into a mountain that veered at its peak down the road called Razorback featured and the challenge it would provide. Richard however saw a different opportunity and challenged Jeremy to feature in the webisode living as a miner in the late 1800’s. After a couple of jibes from James the challenge was accepted, the boys from Top Gear were coming to Mount Morgan. The web series ‘Ironstone’ was about to go internationally ballistic.
A game changer doesn’t have to involve building something new. It can be just looking at something that’s always been there with a new set of eyes. Eyes that see potential, not obstacles. The road up the Mount arguably an impediment to Mt. Morgan development might to many be seen as difficult, one that induces road sickness, but to someone like Jeremy Clarkson, imagine what he would see through his eyes.
How do we currently see Mount Morgan? Look at it again with a new set of eyes, its history, landmarks, its lack of development, even its road. Next week I’ll expand on what a simple idea like a webisode could provide Mt. Morgan and our region. It just needs the will to make it happen. Remember the future is not too see, it is too create.
Part 2 of this article (in full) not the abridged version the Bullie put in is as follows:
Ironstone Still a Jewel in Capricorn’s Crown
The Premier and the Mayor were all smiles for the camera at the opening of the Swinging Bridge. Funded and re-built in record time it included some of the original planks from its predecessor. The first question from the attending media was “if the lads from Top Gear weren’t coming to Mount Morgan, would it have been re-built?”
Imagine what a game changer an episode of Top Gear being filmed in a town would have. Imagine if that town was Mount Morgan.
Last week my aspiration was for a webisode called Ironstone to be produced. A reality series that followed different people living like they would have in Mount Morgan in the late 1800’s. By chance or fate Jeremy Clarkson would come across an episode which included an aerial view of the road up the Mount. The twists and turns leaving him salivating. This road, this town had to be included in Top Gear’s Australian tour.
The televised announcement made Ironstone an instant huge online success in terms of downloads and social media interaction. The affect it would have on the town would also prove to be massive.
The cogs of government were quickly lubricated; along with the swinging bridge, old buildings were being restored and painted, the cemetery tidied, story boards around points of historical interest were erected. Plans for a bigger, interactive museum were being discussed. Spin offs from the Top Gear announcement included confirmation that Getaway would do a whole program on the surrounding region and impact Mount Morgan had on the Australian economy in the early years of federation. A Current Affair had just finished recording. When it aired it turned out to be a story on how the town that once saved the Australian economy was now threatened by toxic water. Not the story the Mayor eagerly agreed to be interviewed for. However the appearance of water quality experts from Melbourne within the week supported the view that sometimes any publicity is good. Rumours also abound that the guys from Myth Busters were coming to do a story of the dinosaur footprints on the cave ceiling. Mount Morgan was no longer the forgotten town. Renewed interest in its history meant there was now a living case study which not only involved media, marketing and drama students from the dual sector CQ University; psychology, arts, engineering, apprentice carpenters, boiler makers, mechanics were all involved. Research not only included insights on how people lived in the late 1800’s while inflicted with gold fever, but also on the interaction people were having with the webisode - the online commentary and social media interaction. Commercial networks were seeing the series as the future of television.
However, before I get too carried away I should acknowledge the knockers, ‘or realists’, question, “what’s the chance of Top Gear coming to Mount Morgan?”. And even if they did, all would be forgotten within a couple of months and it would go back to the way it was! Perhaps, I even hope so; the way Mount Morgan was at the start of the twentieth century. A town with a mountain of gold and copper called Ironstone. Consider what arts projects do receive Government funding. Do they all have the potential to provide students from a wide variety of disciplines the opportunity to be involved? The opportunity to reveal the history of a once important town; the opportunity to provide an insight into how social media and entertainment can fully converge. The opportunity to be used as a drawcard to attract students to a university. The opportunity to attract tourists. The opportunity to stimulate restoration projects. The opportunity for training programs. The opportunity to revitalise a town. The opportunity with the international students involved for it to generate international interest and maybe the decision to film a television episode there.
There’s still gold in them there hills, but it may not be only under the ground. Sometime it’s just how you look at it, not where you look. Still got doubts? Consider the huge popularity of Wild Boys. There is huge interest in Australia’s gold rush period and Mount Morgan was the richest mine. Ironstone the webisode could be just the game changer Mount Morgan needs. A game changer that once again makes Mount Morgan a jewel in the Capricorns’ crown. Remember our future is not to see, but to create.
No comments:
Post a Comment