Roarhouse Melbourne is a unique, multi-faceted arts platform, supporting and promoting a kaleidoscopic community of artists, performers and storytellers facing disadvantage, marginalisation, social exclusion and other challenges including mental health. It is a vibrant not-for-profit, radically inclusive community supporting music, spoken word and performance art events. Roarhouse is driven by artist and volunteer support, and provides performance, applied learning and volunteer opportunities.

Roarhouse showcases are testament to the myriad of creative talents thriving in our community. We promote awareness for artists in marginalised and peripheral groups, and take the margins to the mainstream by providing a platform for all artists to join together to create, perform, collaborate, network and socialise.

Between 2006 - 2012 Roarhouse presented 130 events, shone the spotlight on 1400 artists, giving opportunity to a community rich in respect, understanding and celebration.

The project, titled Roarhouse v the State [2014] RVS 357, is a mockumentary drama aiming to outline the trajectory and celebrate the history of Roarhouse, and support the sustainability of the organisation. The story of Roarhouse will unfold through dramatisations, narratives, photographs and archived footage. It encompasses and exposes truth, risk, discovery, expression and freedom.

The film is due for release 2015.

ROARHOUSE V THE STATE [2014] RVS 357

Roarhouse Melbourne is on trial; are they guilty of changing people’s lives? This is a story of integrity, radical inclusion and the power of the collective as it collides with the State in a frenzy for freedom.

The court will argue whether Roarhouse is guilty of changing the lives of its collective of artists and audience members between 2006 - 2012. The jury will hear how Roarhouse thrust artists in to a world of uncalculated chance in a wilful campaign of independence, irrevocably changing their lives. It will investigate this premise through the tradition of a trial, recounting the tale of Roarhouse, reuniting its kaleidoscope of artists, giving them an opportunity to share their stories and rejoice in the spirit of the Roarhouse community.

This project has generated so much in the way of interest and in-kind support from the community and other partnerships, however there are a few incidentals that we just can’t manage with the old wink wink, nudge nudge…

We’ve got most things covered, but items such as catering and transport for our cast and crew is where a big chunk of our expenses lay. We plan to film over 3 days, and need to cater for up to 40 people each day.

Another mega expense is the location - we’ve scouted around and found THE spot, and while it is not overly expensive to hire, the cost of security is significant.

We’ve also been rather ingenious and crafty with many of the sets and costumes, however there are a few odds and ends that come at a cost.

The expenses are detailed below, including an outline of in-kind and volunteer support:

Catering         $1000
Transport        $800
Location         $1200
Costumes       $250
Props              $250

TOTAL            $3,500

Production  $1000 (in-kind)
(Admin             $500)
(Mentoring       $150)
(Equipment      $350)

Crew           $10, 600 (in-kind)

Cast            $1500 (in-kind) 

TOTAL         $13,100 in-kind and volunteer support

The challenge for this project is to reach our pledge target, and take the collective story of Roarhouse to the world. A film such as this does not qualify for funding from typical film-funding bodies, and this is the best opportunity for these stories to reach and teach the greater public.

“I was inspired to make this film because Roarhouse changed my life too. It highlighted how crucial it is to hear all the stories - when some stories are missing we deny ourselves the opportunity to have a more enriching human experience. Each story I heard was filled with courage and resilience, equaled with extraordinary talent and vision.
To me the film is about integrity, respect, radical inclusion and the power of the collective.
I hope the film will support our challenge with recognition and sustainability as an organisation”.
Marjetka McMahon-Krizanic, Roarhouse Founder and Creative Director