Upside Down Arts is a small collective of creatives using film and events to promote a different perspective around disability, in particular working with the Down syndrome community. Our projects focus on collaboration with young people, giving voice and opportunity to youth with disabilities.
Upside Down Arts is based in Bellingen, NSW, Australia.
DOCTOR TIME
Doctor Time is a short comedy action filmed in the small Australian town of Bellingen, shot entirely on iPhone by a resourceful and creative team embracing imagination and ingenuity at every stage of production. The story of a young teen who realises he has super hero powers, the concept and script was driven by Raji Renshaw, a highly imaginative 15 year old actor with Down syndrome. Raji was mentored by Stephen Grace and Jason Brown who collaborated as directors and producers. The premise of Doctor Time as a film, and a creative project, was to give a young person who is typically underrepresented or often not given a go, his time in the lime light. This was a chance for the boy with Down syndrome to be the super hero.
The youth cast were friends from a local youth theatre company, and with half the main cast having disabilities, they formed a dynamic and supportive team. The film was greatly shaped by the young actors themselves, from characters and costumes to the energy seen on screen. The innovative band Tralala Blip, an electronic pop collective, contributed the soundscape and musical elements for the film. With three of their core members having intellectual disabilities their music and ethos was a perfect match for Doctor Time.
Click here to see more details about the making of Doctor Time…
PAT
Bellingen restaurant 5 Church Street, is famous for their locally grown, hand cut potato chips. The gear is a custom made, Waldorf double split pan deep fryer, the chips are double blanched in non-gm rice bran oil, and the potatoes, come from Aunty Pat.
Pat has been growing organic veggies out on North Bank road for over 50 years and over that time she has learnt a thing or two about potatoes.
This touching little short documentary follows a day in the life of Pat, from picking spuds in the paddock & telling stories of growing up on the farm with her much loved father, to delivering 50kg sacks of Sebago’s over her shoulder to the local restaurant No.5, where she enjoys a laugh & a burger with the boys – the film cleverly captures the spirit of a ‘good old nut’, as Pat would put it.
Beautifully shot and edited by local part-time filmmakers Jason Brown, Steve Grace & Jay Black, the film won the Coffs coast ‘Local Food’ short film festival 2012 and is an inspiring tale of a real Aussie character, whom you just can’t help but love.
Throw in a catchy, locally produced soundtrack, a few jokes and some words of wisdom and you’ve got a wonderful little story that will leave you smiling all the way down to No.5!
FRED ASTAIRE TRIBUTE
Raji dances inspired by Fred Astaire’s performance at the 1970 Oscar Award Ceremony. The soundtrack is the original music played by the live orchestra at the awards.
Raji Renshaw is a dancer, actor and model represented by Zebedee Talent. Raji has Down syndrome and totally rocks that extra chromosome!
A WEEK OF MY LIFE
A Week Of My Life documents the lived experience of a person with Down syndrome. Join 14 year old Raji as he shares what his life is like, following the activities of one week. This film is intended to educate and entertain, an updated and positive representation of living with a diagnosis of Trisomy 21.
KARLEE RAWKINS - Never Neverland
Karlee Rawkins and Ashleigh Frost, Curator at YAM, discuss the story and processes behind Rawkins’ exhibition ‘Never Neverland’. This collection of work explores the motifs from Peter Pan to represent Rawkins experience of parenting and ideas around seeing and experiencing differently. Rawkins collaborates with her teenage son Raji, who has Down syndrome. See paintings and footage from Rawkins studio at Never Never Creek on Gumbaynggir Country.
THE FUMES - Automobile
The Fumes, blues/roots rockers from Australia find themselves trying to fend off their alter egos in this little blue screen gem!
Automobile is the 2nd single from the debut album, out July 2006 through Inertia/Silent Partner Recordings.
We were proud to have “Automobile” music video placed second at the Port Shorts Film Festival in Port Macquarie 2007.
