Behind the Lens: Creating “Washed Away” – A Documentary of Australia’s Costliest Flood
When I first arrived in the Northern Rivers in March 2022, we couldn’t have imagined the scale of what we were about to document. Australia’s most catastrophic flood disaster was unfolding, and our team was there to capture the immediate impact and the long journey of community recovery.
Technical Challenges in Extreme Conditions.
Filming in disaster zones demands both technical expertise and extreme caution. We navigated treacherous conditions—from towns cut of from the flood cut, jetski’s rescues & boat rescues—while managing complex camera systems and ensuring crew safety. We deployed Phantom 4 Pro, Sony FX9 and A7SIII systems, protecting against extreme weather conditions while maintaining broadcast quality.
The challenges extended beyond the physical; we developed specialised interview techniques for trauma-affected community members. This meant creating safe, controlled environments for sensitive conversations while maintaining professional production standards in challenging locations.
Managing Massive Data in the Field
The scale of the project was unprecedented – managing over 50TB of footage across multiple locations required innovative solutions. We implemented:
– Robust field backup systems
– Multi-location data redundancy
– AI-assisted footage organisation
– Advanced metadata tagging systems
– Real-time collaborative access protocols
Innovation in Storytelling
Working with industry leaders, we crafted a hero’s journey framework that transformed individual stories into a compelling 88-minute feature. This involved:
– Multiple narrative layers revealing community impact
– Complex sound design capturing environmental elements
– Advanced post-production workflow management
– AI-enhanced frame rate manipulation for dramatic effect
– Integrated archival footage systems
Community Impact and Trust
Our technical excellence served a deeper purpose – building trust with a traumatised community. We:
– Developed relationships with over 100 community members
– Coordinated with multiple emergency response teams
– Integrated community-supplied footage
– Created safe spaces for sharing complex stories
– Maintained ongoing relationships throughout post-production
Revolutionary Distribution Approach
We helped pioneer a new model for independent documentary distribution:
– Custom-built streaming platform integration
– Direct-to-audience delivery system
– Multi-platform social media strategy
– Advanced payment processing integration
– Community-focused marketing approach
Technical Specifications
Our production utilised:
Sony FX9 and A7SIII camera systems
Aerial cinematography Inspire, Phantom 4 Pro, DJI Mini
Advanced stabilisation systems
Professional audio recording in extreme conditions
AI-enhanced post-production tools
Complex data management systems
Looking Forward
“Washed Away” isn’t just a documentary—it’s a film for social impact, with 50% of profits going to Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre (MRNC) blueprint for future disaster documentation and community restore. Our innovations in production and distribution are creating new possibilities for independent filmmakers tackling challenging subjects.