Production
Rory Banwell is a freelance creative all-rounder specialising in: film making, directing, producing, journalism, writing, podcasting, and editing.
She specialises in factual production but takes pride in being a "gun for hire" and is able to work in any department due to her vast film experience in various departments.
All content here is produced and directed by Rory Banwell.
Full credits available upon request.
CURRENT DOCUMENTARY SLATE
MIX IT UP
'Mix It Up' is a hybrid, feature length documentary that follows a theatre group made up of young adults on the way to their first big performance. The distinction? They all happen to live with a disability.
Performing on the stage at the Jetty Memorial Theatre (JMT) is a rite of passage for any actor growing up in Coffs Harbour, and Mix It Up have their shot at the annual JMT Open Day. They know that this is their chance to show the local theatre community what they can do, despite any perceived struggles.
'Mix It Up' has a colourful cast of characters and shows the ups and downs of the rehearsal period for any performance in front of a large audience. From Shakespeare to Grease, this group can do it all!
Currently in: Post Production Seeking: Post Producer, Post-Production Funding, Distribution
DEFROSTING OZ - www.defrostingoz.com
“Defrosting Oz” is a multi-platform, presenter-led, narrative-driven, ethical, true crime series that interrogates Australia’s coldest cases, and long term missing people. It is published across all available social media platforms, and as an audio podcast.
What happens after someone disappears or dies without explanation? Whose responsibility is it to keep the search going? Where does the strength of families come from as they carry on? How do they deal with ambiguous loss?
These are the questions “Defrosting Oz” investigates, alongside the families, with the hope of the right person hearing the stories and coming forward to the police with a lead that could change the course of the case.
Currently in: Pre-Production Seeking: Executive Producer, Funding
THE DIVES AND DEATH OF SHECK EXLEY
“The Dives and Death of Sheck Exley” is a hybrid, feature length or series, documentary that explores cave diving. Following the linear history from its beginnings, through Sheck Exley’s life and legacy, to where it stands today, using his revolutionary techniques.
Exley is known as the grandfather of modern cave diving, who, before he died during a record deep dive in 1994, literally wrote the rules for cave divers.
Modern legends such as Ed Sorensen, Richard Stanton, and Australian, Richard Harris (the two latter were involved in the Thai cave rescue) let the audience into a world that few are lucky to get a glimpse of, and show that there isn't anything to be afraid of... Unless you're claustrophobic.
Currently in: Development Seeking: Executive Producer, Funding
CONSENT - www.stillnotaskingforit.com
'Consent' is a hybrid (feature or series) documentary that builds off the virality of Rory Banwell's internationally acclaimed photography project 'Still Not Asking For It' (SNAFI), shining a spotlight on the prevalence of rape culture and sexual violence.
The film utilises the lens of photography to explore international issues of sexual and domestic violence, whilst navigating Rory's previously undisclosed experiences with sexual assault and domestic violence.
SNAFI has an established audience of over 30,000 followers across social media and has reached over 12 million unique clicks, proving that it can overcome the difficult hurdle of bringing confronting conversations and content to the masses.
Currently in: Production Seeking: Executive Producer, Funding, Distribution