In March 2020, when the world transitioned to ‘working from home’, Perth community radio station RTRFM were questioning whether to shut down and just broadcast a randomised playlist. Instead, as a station of volunteers, they made the decision to continue broadcasting in whatever ways they could. This short film, directed by Melle Branson, is a love letter to community radio, depicting this surreal time through the story of one of its most loved presenters Rok Riley. It’s a story about what it takes to run a radio station - a microphone, a transmitter, 350 volunteers and a love of music.
‘Rok’ is a variable typeface created for the film’s titles, credits and graphics. In keeping with the film’s analogue, 90’s aesthetic, ‘Rok’ takes inspiration from rave flyers, community noticeboards and FuturaBold. Designed to feel familiar, approachable and genre-agnostic, its rounded corners and tight-spacing emulate the bleed of something that’s been photocopied again and again. It was made to be moved by music, to animate between the lighter ‘quiet’ weights and heavier ‘loud’ weights, in sync with the rhythm and volume of the film’s soundtrack. Like the station itself, it’s responsive, diverse and inspired by music.
'THE WORLD OF RILEY' CREDITS:
Director/Editor: MELLE BRANSON
EP: ASHLEIGH NICOLAU
Producer: MARIA ELENA AMATULLI
DP: LEWIS POTTS
Colour: LEWIS POTTS
Titles: JOSEPH DENNIS
Stills Photographer: DANIEL HILDEBRAND
Sound Design & Mix: NED BECKLEY
Dialogue & SFX Edit: LUCY TORVALDSEN
Audio Post Facility: ENVELOPE AUDIO
“COROBOREE” written & performed by YIKES
“HULL INTEGRITY” written & performed by IMAGE SYSTEM
Courtesy of MIDNIGHT ELEVATOR
“Wise Up” written by M.VALTON, MCDJ MUSIC
Administered by UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING PTY LTD
“Aerial”, “Atlas (Movement II)”, “Bioluminescence”, “Candlelight” Courtesy of ENVELOPE AUDIO
“Zoot” written & performed by HAME DJ
