Up-and-coming Australian artist Indy Angel went from writing her debut single in her bedroom, to being played on Triple J – but it didn’t happen without having to overcome some personal challenges.
SAE Creative Media Institute student Charlotte White was there to capture the action – through a documentary called ‘Angel’.
“I knew of Indy’s story from a personal perspective having been friends, but I was really interested to delve deeper into her story as an artist,” Charlotte says of the film. “I felt when we connected that piece it was a fully formed picture of what she’s been through and overcome.”
Originally, the project was going to be more of a guide on going from the page to the stage as a musician. . . But things turned around and became more personal.
“Indy was in a relationship with someone that dealt pretty heavily in substance abuse and had mental health problems, and she found that she just kept turning to her songwriting as a way of therapy,” Charlotte explains. “Through those feelings and emotions in her songwriting she gained a wide amount of support for her music through Triple J Unearthed.”
“Since the release of the film, people have reached out to Indy and said that this was everything they needed – it was comforting, a weight off their shoulders. People have found solace in her music and her story.
“It was an emotional experience for both of us – we felt liberated through the process of creating the documentary.”
In the film, Indy says “I’m not ashamed to say I’m in pain”.
“I'm really proud of how far I've come, where I am now emotionally, and to have people witnessing this is really special,” Indy says.
On a day like R U OK Day (9 September), the response from ‘Angel’ goes to show that opening up about your personal problems and sharing pent up feelings can be the first step in the healing process.
‘Angel’ achieved four official selections, including Best Opera Prima Short Film at the South Film and Arts Academy Festival, nominations for Best Student Film and Best Documentary at The Monthly Film Festival, a semi-finalist nomination at the Stockholm City Film Festival and a screening at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival on 14 September.
Not bad for a small crew of six SAE students and staff.
“We’re all still in disbelief! We’ve received these wonderful messages from people sharing how the challenges Indy has had to overcome have really resonated with them,” Charlotte exclaims. “People love to see you uncovering an artist and understanding where they’ve been from and how they make their art – it’s so absorbing for an audience.”
Today (9 September) is R U OK Day. Check up on your mates and head to their website to learn more, and check out SAE's website for info on their offerings in the creative industries.
