Head Start Homes: Charlene's Story

Electriclimefilms partnered with Head Start Homes to tell the story of Charlene's journey from homelessness to achieving her life-changing dream of being a homeowner. Head Start Homes was founded by Stephen Woodlands and is supported by a cross-sector collaboration of Australian partnerships including founding partner Westpac and Pilot Project Partners St.George Bank. As a social services organisation with a truly honourable vision, it works to help single mums, First Nations people, and community housing families make home ownership a reality. Charlene is the first to receive the support of this holistic and empowering initiative, allowing her the opportunity to move out of social housing and into her own home for the first time in her life. The film opens with Charlene telling her story against the background of the naturally beautiful landscape of Port Macquarie. The stunning visuals are juxtaposed with the intimate spaces of her soon to be new and permanent home: a charming property in Wauchope with an expansive backyard. We see her moving through this space as she speaks of her struggles; the presence of her story and the impactful significance of this landmark event in her life - a life that is about to be changed forever thanks to the help of Head Start Homes - becomes a vehicle for the viewer, they are passengers on this unprecedented journey, accompanying Charlene to her greatest destination: her home. The invitation to capture Charlene’s touching step forward for her family and the scenic grandeur of the featured locations was truly an unforgettable experience for the electriclimefilms team. The gentle cinematography, sharp optics, and dreamy depth of field DOP Tom Black and 2nd Unit DOP Ewan Donnachie created using Panavision lenses contributes powerful visual elements to Charlene’s narrative and a sense of belonging. electriclimefilms was honoured to have the chance to be part of this special moment and lend a voice to this beautiful testament of the lives and stories Head Start Homes helps to change and tell.