Dear Michelle is a video letter to Michelle Jordan from ten-year-old Grace, a budding basketballer. Michelle is the celebrity athlete that inspires her to keep trying.
The film is set in an alternate universe where female sports stars are equally represented, MJ is Michelle Jordan, not Michael Jordan. It’s mid 1990s, amidst the hype of Chicago Bulls dominating NBA. The sporting hero of the times is Michelle, not Michael Jordan, and the hopeful and determined young basketballer is writing a fan letter to her hero. Being like Michelle is possible because in this world, her hero is visible and celebrated. Alongside her celebrity role model is older sister, Gloria, who provides her with the encouragement, perseverance and tough love, both on court and off-the-court.
The film, which launched for International Women’s Day, aims to spark conversation around representation and celebrate the power and passion female role models bring to the world of sports. It was directed by Exit Films director, Bonnie Moir; produced by freelance producer, Olivia Cheung; production designed by Bianca Milani and edited by The Editors’ Leila Gaabi. It features young local basketballers, Sitaya Fagan, as Grace, Kayleigh O’Dwyer as Gloria and Sida Basketball coach, Saratu Isah, in the role of Michelle Jordan.
“I feel so strongly about the representation of women in sporting roles and what this offers to young people growing up,” explained director, Bonnie Moir.
“This piece speaks to a much broader conversation, not only about visibility of women in sport, but the intersectional visibility of women in the workplace, our political representatives and more personally for me, equal representation of women in lead roles within the film industry. With this film, I want to celebrate the strength and resilience of women who I’ve learned from by looking up to.”
Producer, Olivia Cheung, added, “Why is it today that the biggest female sports star in the world, and probably of all time, still gets paid a fraction of what her male counterparts do? Why is it that Sam Kerr, who is probably the greatest female soccer player this country has ever produced, playing for a team ranked 6th in the world still plays international tournaments at stadiums at home with an attendance that can’t crack 10k spectators?
“We’re having the same conversations in the sports arena, as well in every other aspect of life – the presence and visibility of female role models is a social responsibility of the bigger players in the game, including sponsors, investors, media and PR, in tackling issues like pay gaps and increasing numbers of the general public to attend and view women’s sports.”
The campaign asks people to share and tag their female sporting idol (past and present), using the hashtag #jumpwoman.
Credits:
Crew:
Director: Bonnie Moir
Producer: Olivia Cheung
Producer: Qiao Li1st AD: James Miles
Cinematographer: Sam Chiplin
Casting Producer: Brenton Matulick
Line Producer: Tim Sharp
Production Manager: Logan Davies
1st AC: Hannah Sinagra
Gaffer: Richard Turton
Best Boy: Ryan Gasparini
Production Designer: Bianca Milani
Wardrobe: Imogen Walsh
MUA: Samantha Pearce
Boom Operator: Talia Raso
Sound mixer: Ryan Granger
Unit & Catering: Logan Davies
Photography: Kim Mennen
Post Supervision: Charlotte Griffiths & Gabe Russo
Post Producer: Olivia Cheung
Editor: Leila Gaabi
Assistant Editor: Grace O’Connell
Flame Artist: Jamie Scott
Colourist: Dan Stonehouse
Sound Design: Talia Raso & Ryan Granger
Sound mix: Dead on Sound, Ryan Granger & Adam Hunt
Music Composer: Julian Langdon
VO Talent: Andrew Peters & Belinda Misevski @ Helping Hoops
Story concept: Melanie Killingsworth, Andrew Grinter, Qiao Li & Luke Dansick
Screenplay: Andrew Grinter
Executive Producers: Qiao Li, Andrew Grinter, Luke Dansick
Cast: Grace, Sitaya Fagan; Gloria, Kayleigh Dwyer & Michelle Jordan, Saratu Isah
Supported by production partners: 2 Divas, Chameleon Casting Panavision, The Editors, Crayon & Dead on Sound
Special thanks to: Nick Cummins & The Royals, Nic Godoy, Charlotte Griffiths, Gabe Russo, Tom Campbell, Glendyn Ivin, Exit Films, Nima Sobhani,Teuila Reid, Jo Wallace, Jo Lambo, Eleisha Mullane, Jessie Scott, Krystyna Robinson, Paul Faff, Steven Curry, Elia Milani, Alex Wood, Helping Hoops, 2 Divas, Andrew Peters, Belinda Misevski, Helping Hoops, Sida Basketball, Nothing But Net, Sitaya’s family, Kayleigh’s family, Max Walter, Lixia Wang, Northcote High School & Sarah Burns
