I often receive requests to give talks on television about the potential harmful effects of video games and social media on shows like the Today Show and A Current Affair. But I have never received a request via Instagram before..
” Hi Dr. Huu, I’m doing some research on a SBS documentary looking at the issue of tech addiction. I’ve been reading some of your work and would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to chat…”
My first media request via Instagram
What started as a “chat” has turned into an interactive documentary film for SBS on Demand with Closer Productions (SA) and Joined Up Films (WA). I was already a huge fan of Closer Productions’ 4 part mini-series “The Hunting” filmed right here in Adelaide, which is officially SBS’s most successful home-grown drama. This series tackled another modern day tech related issue of sexting.
Over the past year, we have collaborated on how to make this film engaging and informative. We applied for arts grant funding, filmed over a week at Adelaide Studios and now the team are well into post-production. I recall in my final year of medicine year book, stating that one day I hoped to have my own TV show as a psychiatrist, so this is literally a dream come true.
The crew were amazing and made me feel welcome into their world. I also had the opportunity to work with TV presenter and acting coach Richard Sarrell of Rehearsal Room via Zoom in the middle of the pandemic. I really hope this leads to more exciting TV presenting opportunities. I believe that psychiatrists need to be in positions to advocate for mental health awareness and film is a great way to do this. We were also lucky to be able to film in Adelaide with a small crew safely and with social distancing in mind. It was strange because we were probably the only film being made in the world at the time due to the pandemic where even the latest Marvel movie in Sydney was shut down during the lockdown. We filmed in 2 studios, a green screen room where movies like “I am Mother” (Netflix) and Mortal Kombat (2021) were filmed and the Flinders University state-of-the-art Motion Capture and VR Lab (apparently I was the first paid “actor” to use this technology since it’s opening).
I’ve just finished the final sound recording pick ups this week and am anxiously waiting for the documentary’s release in early 2021. Watch this space!