On 16 September, violinist Niki Vasilakis and producer Joanna Buggy discussed their documentary film '4' via videoconference with over 60 music and media students.
On 16 September, highly-acclaimed violinist, Niki Vasilakis and producer Joanna Buggy discussed the documentary film 4 via videoconference with over 60 music and media students from around the state of South Australia, including students at the event’s location – Christies Beach High School, south of Adelaide.
Made in 2007, 4 revolves around four internationally-renowned violinists who go on a journey inspired by Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’.
Filmed in four continents through the four seasons Niki Vasilakis, as one of the featured violinist, plays the summer movement at a concert on a hot, humid and stormy Thursday Island.
Organised by NFSA’s [p[School Screen]] as the inaugural NFSA Connects event, Niki and Joanna fielded questions from students as far away as Streaky Bay (700km west of Adelaide) and Kingston (300km east of Adelaide). The students had watched the film prior to the videoconference and asked a variety of questions about the making of the documentary as well as Niki’s personal journey with music.
This opportunity to engage with professionals in the creative arts industry, to learn about their experiences and hear stories of their working lives was declared a rousing success by all involved. Many thanks to all the students and staff who participated and to Christies Beach High School for hosting the event.
Watch the videos from the event below.
Joanna Buggy explains how decisions were made about locations and connecting them to the music
Niki Vasilakis talks of different interpretations of music
Joanna Buggy describes the varied weather conditions during filming
Niki Vasilakis talks of learning to connect with music emotionally
Joanna Buggy explains the editing process of the documentary
Niki Vasilakis describes her inspiration for playing the violin
Joanna Buggy describes the genesis of the film
Niki Vasilakis responds to the question 'Have you ever been called a music nerd?’
Niki Vasilakis talks of how different cultures are able to connect through music
Niki Vasilakis talks of why she picked the violin and not another instrument
Niki Vasilakis describes how she chooses her music
Niki Vasilakis talks of how emotions affect her playing
Niki Vasilakis describes how life is always changing, personally and musically
Niki Vasilakis describes why she took up violin and who inspired her
Three popular musicians talk about their careers at length for the NFSA Oral History program.
Contemporary artists make new recordings on 19th century wax cylinder technology at the NFSA.
Thousands of songs were written about the First World War. Many were destined to disappear before or soon after the cessation of hostilities but others became big hits at the time.
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia acknowledges Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and gives respect to their Elders both past and present.
