Community guide to setting up a dreamBox photoBooth

IntroductionDreamBox invites Indigenous Australians to share their dreams in a single photograph.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations are invited to set up their own DreamBox photobooth and submit their photos to ABC Open.It’s a fun activity for festivals, conferences or just to have your say.

What’s involved?• Peoplewhowanttosharetheirdreamsinaphoto• Abackdrop• Ashapedchalkboardorothersign to write your dream on• Acameraandatripod• Aphotographer• Volunteerstowashsignsandgenerallyhelpout

The QuestionWhat’s your dream?ABC Open wants to hear about the dreams and aspirations of Indigenous Australians.

Community guide to setting up a dreamBox photoBooth

What you need• Bucket,water,cola,wetsponge&dryingrag• Permissiontotakeaperson’sphoto and upload it to the web• Backdrop• Chalkboards• Table&Chair• Weightstoholddownthebackdrop• Funhatsandclothing!

Chalkboards and signsYoucancreateyourownshapedchalkboardsfrom thin plywood, by cutting a design out with ajigsaw.Sandtheedgestomakethemsmooth.Youcanevenattachadowelstickwithsupergluetotheback,orhaveahandleattheback.Painttheboardwithblackchalkboardpaint.Wash well between each message. You can use water and a sponge and let the board dry between messages. Be sure to rub out residualchalkmessages.Colacanbeusefultowashoffchalkthatwon’tcomeoffwithwater.

Ifyoudon’twanttomakeachalkboard,youcanmakeadifferentsign-beascreativeasyoulike-wecan’twaittoseewhatyoucomeupwith!

The BackdropCreateabackdropforyourDreamBox.Itcanbecloth,paper,orapaintedbackground.Werecommendthesize2.5 x 2.5 metres.

Designthebackdropsoitlooksgoodwithatallman or a small child standing in front of it. Alsomakeenoughroomsogroupsof3or4people can fit in front of it for a group shot. It might need to be wider to fit groups in and arms holding signs. Thebackdropdoesn’tneedtotouchthefloor.

Space RequiredIt’s good to have lots of space to set up your DreamBox. You’ll also need access to power and a table and chair if possible. Minimum space neededis3x3metressquare.

Community guide to setting up a dreamBox photoBooth

LightThebackdropandpersonyou’rephotographingshould be in shade. Foragoodphotoresult,it’sgoodtoutilisefilteredlight,notdirectsun.It’sbestnottosetupyourDreamBoxphotoboothindoorsasitcouldbetoodark. Openmarqueesworkwellasdoverandahsandcoveredareas.

Youcanuseaflashonaverylowleveltoputsomeextralightintoyoursubject’seyes.But if the light is bright enough, turn the flash OFF!

The PhotographKeep all images horizontal where possible. Then they can be used easily by ABC Open on our website and possibly even in a video.

Waitforthe‘moment’bygeneratinglaughter,easeandplayfulnesswithhowthepersonholdstheirchalkboard.Getthesubjecttomuckaroundabit!

Makesuretheyholdtheboardinfrontoftheirchest,orovertheirhead,ifitisaspeechbubble,becareful they don’t cover their face.Here are some examples

Above the head Interacting with it High up in front, not covering face

Community guide to setting up a dreamBox photoBooth

Send us your photosEmail your photo to dreambox@abc.net.au with your name and where you’re from.

OR Upload to flickr.comIfyouhaveaflickraccount,youcancreateasetwithinyourflickrphotostreamcalled‘DreamBox’and add all your photos here. Add your photos to the ABC Open Camera Club group PleasetagallyourphotoswiththeDreamBoxmachinetagabcopen:project=dreamboxFormoreinformationaboutuploadingphotostotheABCOpenCameraClubinflickr,pleaseseeourfactsheet, Getting started with ABC Open’s Camera Club for more details on how to join.

Important Rules about interviewing people and taking their photo:

GETTING PERMISSIONIt’s important that you let the person you’reinterviewingknowhowyouintendtousetheirinformation at the beginning of the conversation.You need to get their permission to publish this information on the internet.Youalsoneedtheirpermissiontotakeandpublish their photo. You could say “Do you agree to let me interview you and photograph you for an ABC Open project and publish a short summary, with your photo, on the internet?”

GETTING IT RIGHTWhenyouaskpeopletheirnameandwherethey’refrom,makesureyouwritethisinformationdownandcheckthespelling.Peopledon’t have to give you their full name, age, or tell you where they’re from, but you want to get it right when they do.

PHOTOGRAPHING CHILDRENIt’s ABC policy to get parental permission for any child under the age of 18 to be involved in any way as a subject or content creator.It’s best to get written permission from the child’sparent or guardian before engaging or approaching any child to participate in an ABC Open project. Forschoolchildrentoparticipateincontent-makingduringschoolhours,permissionfromtheschoolisrequired.You can read all about the ABC’s editorial policies here: www.abc.net.au/corp/pubs/edpols.htm