media studies 2022

Adam Rudnicki

‘Steam Alive’

Documentary – 7:28 minutes

I intended to create an audio/visual documentary in an interview style about the people behind the operation of heritage steam train trips. My documentary was inspired by the 1979 film, A Steam Train Passes, and aims to be a modern interpretation of that film, capturing the current operational environment of heritage steam trains in Victoria with an emphasis on the personalities who volunteer their time. I intended to explore the motivations of railway enthusiasts by the dialogue, facial expressions and body language they use in talking about the areas of work they undertake within a heritage railway organisation.

My overall purpose of this documentary was to educate the audience about the volunteers who work behind the scenes and have a passion for the railways and preserving Victoria’s railway history, whilst also depicting the generational shift that is occurring as newer and younger volunteers become involved. I hoped to draw out feelings of admiration for the young volunteers and highlight to the audience how important all volunteers are to the preservation and ongoing maintenance of Victoria’s rail heritage.