Filming a seven part television series on the other side of the world is no easy feat – especially with a crew of only two.
But that’s the task a pair of Novocastrians took on.
‘Back in the Soviet Bloc’ is a labour of love for film-makers Stuart McBratney and Julia Nalivaiko, highlighting the present day life, culture and food in the former Soviet nations Russia and Ukraine.
Back in the Soviet Bloc – trailer from Stuart McBratney on Vimeo.
And after 2 months of shooting and a year in post production they’re now searching for a broadcaster to show it.
“It is still a fairly untapped area in terms of factual television so hopefully some networks will think it is worth sharing with the rest of the world.” said McBratney.
While television shows often require multiple crews to shoot and edit, McBratney, a former NBN Television commercial director, used a hand held Canon DLSR camera.
“The end result is that it is a completely unique show. The few people that have had a sneak preview have said that it is unlike anything they have seen before and that’s the luxury of being able to do it yourself.”
It’s also allowed them to present a unique and rarely seen side of society.
“We could get in there and we weren’t approached by police who were trying to extract a bribe from us.”
The idea for the series was born out of a smaller concept.
“We were discussing the idea of making a cookbook, based on camping cooking, and from there it expanded into an entire series about life in the former Soviet nations” McBratney said.
It may seem like a strange transition until you take into account Nalivaiko’s background.
Born in the Ukraine she moved to Australia at the age of 12 and would often get asked by friends and family about what it was like coming from a former Soviet nation.
Nalivaiko hosts the show and hopes the series will paint an honest portrait of the region.
“I couldn’t be more proud, it’s the biggest challenge we have taken in our lives but it has really paid off” said Nalivaiko.
