Terrace Projection: I'll Be Me

I’ll Be Me is a presentation of new filmmaking voices: Aleka Adam, Cosmo Adams, Tenzin Castleman, Billy Lister, Theo Mellick-Cooper and Ari McCord who, armed with the tools of self-reliance, have created their own stories to be projected on CAM’s façade. Six young members of the Castlemaine community have taken a chance to learn new skills and invest time and energy into exploring what matters to them. Two award-winning local bike riders Angus Melville and Flynn Culph also make an unusual appearance in the projection.

Working over a two month period with local filmmaker, Leonie Van Eyk, the challenge was raw and real. Not only were these young artists pushed to question themselves, but to acquire new ways in which to tell their story, through learning how to manage a camera, working collaboratively and to learn and yet question film genres.

Through their eyes we see flickering moments of vulnerability and empowerment―young people exercising their right to speak up and stare down their audience, to challenge the stereotypes―as they welcome us in, to experience their worlds.

These silent filmic expressions are short tales of how to be brave in the face of discrimination, isolation, to stand strong in decision, to engage and survive within a conservative adult world. These filmic glimpses show the makers breaking free from rules, taking risks, and setting down new ways for the world to adjust to youth. These projections radiate with the energy of potential. For them, their journey has just begun.

Terrace Projections
Through the Commonwealth Government's RISE funding, Castlemaine Art Museum will host Terrace Nights and Terrace Projections, a program of exhibitions, installations and events for the community. Using the medium of light, CAM is bringing contemporary images and ideas to the streets of Castlemaine. In a series of commissions, local and national artists will respond to a range of relevant topics such as car culture, First Nations and queer communities, industry, incarceration and youth.

Leonie Van Eyk
Leonie Van Eyk lives and works on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Central Victoria as a videographer, arts educator, animator and projectionist creating multifaceted visual artworks for unique experiences. Her work is driven by a curiosity and a love for human interaction and endeavours to evolve and engage with people across a diverse range of genres and art forms. She is drawn to technologies which help to tell stories and has worked on many short documentaries for local artists and arts organisations. Leonie’s long term commitment to Arts Access Victoria and Create A, have contributed to the social and artistic transformations for people with a disability, emphasising her drive and commitment to create new platforms for diverse artists. Examples of her work can be seen on her website here.

Aleka Adam has been playing cello, euphonium, trumpet and trombone most of their life and is focused on studies at Castlemaine Secondary College with the intention of pursuing a career in science.

Cosmo Adams has been part of the Youth Media Team at the Castlemaine State Festival. He is currently working with Castlemaine Theatre Company on Peter Panto and wants to pursue filmmaking into the future.

Tenzin Castleman is currently studying professional writing in Bendigo where he specialises in Queer narratives. He is proudly transgender and autistic and hopes to create more understanding and inclusivity from his work.

Ari McCord is a brown belt in karate. She has been training for eight years and teaching for five. She currently attends Sacred Heart College and will take a gap year travelling in Europe before continuing her studies at university.