About this Short Film
The Sisters of Invention (Katrina Lucas, Australia, 2015) follows a close-knit girl band as they write songs, make a video clip and explore what music and friendship mean in their lives. Shot in a candid, conversational tone, the film foregrounds their creative process — brainstorming, arranging instruments and shaping songs that address anxiety, loss and the desire not to be infantilised — and lets the women speak about support, ambition and touring dreams. Humorous, warm and direct, it offers viewers an intimate insight into collaborative music-making and the ways people with disability negotiate identity and public perception through art. A lively, person-centred short well suited to Focus on Ability audiences interested in music, community and authentic storytelling.
Film Details
Film Transcript
I like the friendship. We are very supportive of each other. We all love each other no matter what goes on in life. We stick by each other because that's what we're supposed to do, so we get along so well together and we help each other both on and off stage. We're close like sisters; that's why we called ourselves The Sisters.
It was so much fun making the video clip of "This Isn't Disneyland". This is "This Isn't Disneyland". It's about how people shouldn't treat us like little school away babies anymore, you know. We've got the invention part, the Sisters of Invention. I think it means we're reinventing the rules for people like us with disability.
We start off by thinking of ideas for songs. We write a list down of different topics we could use for a song. We've got nine songs but we need 21. We've got heaps of songs. If we come in really upset or if we have problems we sit down and talk about it and then pour all the ideas into our song.
You've all experienced some pretty heavy situations. Oh yeah. So when we say "Only This Rain Will Stop", we're talking about your anxiety. Jackie, what sort of rain have you experienced, like the down times? Do you mind? I don't mind. Okay, but what were some of the worst times that actually brought that? Sorry, when I lost Lynn. Yeah, and I didn't want to live anymore. Oh, that bad. Gee. Yeah. If that feeling had a sound, what instrument would make that sound? Drum kit. Alright, that's the way. Okay, so I'm going to put reverb on this as well. Is that how you built that? Sounds really good; it really means more. Yeah, yeah, that's really crazy. If that crazy isn't good or mentally ill...
My favourite thing is singing, so that helps me get through every day. If I'm feeling crap or not feeling well, all I have to do is start singing a little bit and I feel better. I feel really... alive when I'm on stage and performing. I feel really proud that I'm using my talent to change people's opinions.
My dream is really to stay with The Sisters as long as I can, to reach millions of people with ourselves and tell people that they can do anything they set their mind to. I would love to be famous one day and travel more; that would be amazing as well. So we could have a big bus and go on road trips, that would be nice. I'd want people to enjoy listening to us so much that they want to play it over and over again.
So, when I was a child, I remember it made me feel like I was spinning; it felt something like you could walk in it.
Filmmaker
Katrina Lucas is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Katrina Lucas.
The Sisters' Album Is Available To Purchase And Download Just Search For The Sisters Of Invention In Itunes
An Amazing Project
These Girls Are Trail Blazers They Have Written A New Book A New Songsheet And Are Opening Up A Path For Other Young Folk With Talent who Just Happen To Have Disabilty In Certain Areas... Their Talents Speak For Them. Go Girls
The Sisters' Album Is Available To Purchase Here The Sisters Of Invention
A Very Inspiring And Honest Sharing Of Your Band Members With The Subtle Hints Of Personal Things That Have Happened In Your Lives So Far. Well Done.