The Story behind the Film: Layers of Our Lives
Layers of Our Lives (released 2018) is a short film with three accompanying teaser clips created for and with Mercedes-Benz global about how life does not go in a straight line but we keep changing, evolving, moving to different locations, adding homes, people, experiences, belongings.
How can we create a life that is uniquely our own and where we can be ourselves - even if the may requires sacrifices and courage? Is it ever too late to start a completely new chapter in life, to find the place that feels like home or saying yes to a new career?
How the idea for this film came about I write about >>here.
ABOUT THE FILM:
Part documentary, part visual story, this thought- provoking short follows 62-year-old Sarah Jane Adams from Sydney to Mumbai as she muses about how, after an interesting and rewarding life as mother, traveller and business owner, she has now quite accidentally embarked on a new career – that of model and social media influencer.
In this She’s Mercedes mini series of short films, we are suggesting that there can be numerous different layers to our lives and that is what makes it so unique and interesting: we keep adding to it as we go, as things unfold before us - not everything has to be part of a grand plan.
Illustrated by the layers of wallpaper and flooring in an old house (one that our talent Sarah Jane Adams is just renovating as seen in the films), in the end we will have created something that is truly unique and our own.
The objective of this mini series is to take the viewer on a visual journey across continents and topics and hopefully inspire to think outside the box, to be bold and to live an authentic and creative life.
Each segment/film focuses on one question and one aspect of Sarah‘s life.
ABOUT SJA:
Sarah Jane Adams is an antiques jewellery dealer and designer who has run her own business trading across the world for decades. Now, at 62, she accidentally embarks on a new career as an instagram influencer and model, signed by IMG, after her daughter posted a photo of her in an adidas jacket.
Originally from the UK, Adams learnt her craft trading antiques in the London markets including Portobello Road and Camden Lock from the 70s. Today she owns several properties in the UK and Sydney, Australia, where she lives with her husband and two daughters.
Her eclectic, true-to-self style and couldn’t care less attitude have captured the interest of a large audience and she inspires old and young to live an authentic, creative life — regardless of age.
LOCATIONS:
In and around SJA’s homes and studio in Newtown, Sydney and in the Southern Highlights in NSW, Australia.
Mumbai, India. This was a little crazy, I was there by myself for a couple of days to get a head start on location check and felt like I was the only blonde person among 22 million locals and therefore an attraction. But there is Uber which made it easy for me to get around on my own and so I explored.
Thoughts on making a film where you’ve never been before… read it here.
A note for budding female filmmakers: this was one of the few places where having a man with me definitely made a difference. Whether you like it or not, in some countries it just makes sense to have a predominately male team.
CREW:
I again worked with trusted collaborator Chas Mackinnon and his team at Betty Wants In, a Melbourne-based production company.
Photographer: Annie Mangen, Sydney.
In Mumbai, we met the super talented Kshitij Kankaria and musician Sid Vashi along with some other fun people. I love how in every city around the world there is a group of creatives to meet and collaborate with and we connect on the same level despite cultural and geographical differences.
LEARNINGS:
I often find that some of the best conversation happens before the actual production - when one first meets or discusses initial ideas or direction. This was no exception. If I had recorded what SJA and discussed before we started filming, I feel we would have had better VO options. Once you have talked about something excitedly, it is hard to retrieve that same emotion or vibe. So it always ends up feeling a bit staged, even though the message is the same and honest.
Also: NEVER try to record VO audio in a mammoth city like Mumbai. This was comical but also super exhausting for everyone involved.
RESULT:
The film had 747000 views in the first 3 months and reached 5.2 million users on social media.
When creating content for big brand, there is so much work involved than just delivering footage. Embedding the video in a well thought out social media strategy is key to success. If anyone would like to know more about that process, drop me a comment below.
The films had a limited shelf life due to contracts and licensing but you can still watch it in the archive.
