Monster & Bear, usually found making commercials, has created a documentary exploring Melbourne during lockdown from the point of view of those living it.
The 10-minute documentary has been released online so everyone can understand the pressures of Stage 4. One of Monster & Bear’s regular clients is Beyond Blue, which advocates for mental health and wellbeing.
The documentary reveals the lives of everyday Melburnians who have battled isolation and experienced what Monster & Bear creative director Sarah Hickey calls “Iso-Cray” or "Resilientitis".
"Like most businesses in Melbourne, Monster & Bear has been completely locked down under Stage 4 restrictions,” says Hickey.
“During this second period of isolation, our creative team started to think about ways we could document this extraordinary time in Australia's history, which was very different to the first lockdown.
"We felt the rest of Australia needed to understand what Melburnians were going through - their everyday experiences for better and for worse.”
The production company put a callout for footage and stories, saying the documentary would be guided by the content people would be willing to contribute.
Monster & Bear wanted Melburnians need to know they are not alone.
The people in this short documentary could be anyone currently stuck alone in isolation, says Monster & Bear.
“We were all determined to provide insight into the sadness we’re all feeling, but were instantly shocked and surprised to see our fellow citizens pull through with a uniquely Melbournian sense of resilience and creativity,” says Hickey.
“In fact, everyone seems to have embraced their ISO-cray. I think we all recognise this is a once in a 100-year event, and it’s refreshing to see a city (and the broader state) giving each other permission to feel every kind of emotion on the spectrum. If we can normalise feeling a bit ‘crazy’, this might just have a very positive mental health effect.
"We should all be able to share our feelings right now, and we shouldn’t be ashamed of it.”
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