Parental Responsibility

Parental Responsibility is a story about a troubled teenager Chelsea who is desperately in need of a home after running away from her mother and abusive stepfather. She seeks help from the Housing Department, and to her horror, she is allocated a social worker who is self-absorbed and cares more about her cats and checklists than providing appropriate support.
Chelsea suddenly finds herself placed with a strict Africa woman who cares, however, due to Chelsea past trauma, Chelsea is continuing trying to sabotage the placement and rejects the love shown to her by her foster mother breaking the house rules. How will the foster mother deal with a teenager who is emotionally detached and maintains her sanity? How will the situation unravel with the clash of cultures, and an incompetent social worker in the middle?

  • Berry Salem
    Director
  • Antoina Woodward
    Writer
  • Berry Salem
    Producer
  • Antoina Woodward
    Key Cast
    "Adelaide"
  • Kaira Rodgers
    Key Cast
    "Chlelsea"
  • Rebecca May
    Key Cast
    "Emily"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 45 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 20, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16.9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Berry Salem

Berry Salem is a graduate of New York Film Academy Australia, where she was awarded an outstanding achievement award in 2017. Immersed in the business world, with multiple business-centric degrees from the Australian Academy of Business. Bitten by the performance bug while during a successful business career focused on Human Resources, Ms. Salem left the business world to pursue the craft of acting and production.

Berry Salem is the founder of Lotus Production House, an autonomous production company focused on promoting independent performers, directors, actors and producers. Through Lotus Production House Berry Salem is living her dream of being a part of the acting world while applying her business skills to successfully bring creative projects to completion.

Born in Egypt, Ms. Salem has an innate desire for knowledge. Through years of study, her business career bloomed along with her desire to perform. Although still auditioning for acting parts herself, she is certified in casting.

Berry Salem is now available to apply both her business aptitude and business knowledge to the creative ideas and careers of others through the independent production company of Lotus Production House, Australia.

Never one to shy from a challenge, Berry Salem, is ready and able to help ambitious talent enhance their craft in a planned business approach on the road to accomplishment and success. Highly skilled in interpersonal relationships through her business experience as a Human Resources expert, combined with her knowledge in casting, acting, directing and production.

Berry Salem is a rarity in the field of acting, performing and production, able to understand the creative challenges faced by the performer through her own acting experiences as well as the business necessities of a successful project.

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Director Statement

Parental Responsibility presented me with an opportunity to direct my first film. I was both excited and nervous at the same time because I wanted to do an excellent job. After a lengthy discussion with Antonia Woodward who wrote the script about little or no diversity in the Australia film industry, I was more determined to ensure her vision is reflected accurately.
My directorial style is still evolving; however, the use of art and colour to tell the story was paramount.
Being a mother and from Africa, I can relate to Adelaide's character of trying to balance the relationships between Western and Africa cultures.
My responsibility as a director was to ensure that both cultures are reflected accurately, however, not sacrificing the writer's vision.
The challenge for me as a director was the pre-production in ensuring everything was in place before filming. Sorting the props and costumes was challenging; however, these enabled the film to be authentic. The pre-production hard work was invaluable to both cast and crew and reduces the stress level of everyone.
Being an actor and a producer enabled me to relate to the cast and crew. Thus, I was determined to ensure the everyone has a positive experience.
As a new director, I was openminded to suggestions and respected the opinion of others. I have learned so much in directing this film, which I will utilise in my next directorial opportunity.