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I specialise in capturing stories through both photography and videography. I'm dedicated to helping small businesses and artists in Brisbane by providing high-quality photos and videos to enhance their marketing efforts and tell their stories.

Camera on a tripod
Bipolar disorder type 2. Renata Webster
14:31
Lera Zavyalova

Bipolar disorder type 2. Renata Webster

I know how it feels to be depressed, isolated and lonely. That is why I decided to dedicate this documentary to mental health. Making a movie about mental health is important because it helps people to understand mental illnesses better and reduces the shame and stigma that often come with these issues. My friend Renata was officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 2 five years ago when she was 38 years old. During her life, she felt that something was not right, as she struggled with episodes of a deep and long depression but did not see them as something that needed to be taken care of medically. She misconstrued her hypomanic periods as a normal happy life when she was full of energy, ideas and desire to be very active. But at 38, she hit a brick wall and went into the deepest and darkest depression she has ever experienced. This led her to seek psychiatric help and get a proper diagnosis. The combination of her commitment to both pharmacological treatment and psychotherapy lead to amazing results of acceptance and mastery of her condition. All her past experiences and challenges with the illness she has encountered led her to the idea of studying counselling to help other people struggling with their mental health. Movies are a good way to show what it's like to live with a mental illness, and can help people to feel less alone. By sharing personal experiences or those of others, a movie about mental health can also encourage people to seek help when they need it. Overall, making a movie about mental health is a way to help others and make a difference. Renata's website: https://www.renatawebster.com Renata's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renatawebster_counselling LZ stories: https://www.instagram.com/leraz_ph9 Movie by Lera Zavyalova June 2023

The Lesson

In 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to create my first short film, The Lesson. This project was a true passion project, as I took on the roles of writer, director, and editor, bringing my vision to life from start to finish. The hard work and dedication paid off when The Lesson won the Best Film award at the Green Light Festival in Brisbane. This recognition has been a truly rewarding experience and a significant milestone in my filmmaking journey.

"The Lesson" is a touching short film set in a contemporary high school that decides to try out AI teachers. Mr. Jonas, a long-serving and cherished teacher, finds himself facing job loss as AI gains popularity. The movie explores how technology can impact old-fashioned jobs, why personal connections in teaching matter, and whether it's right for AI to replace humans?

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