After going to Aradale Asylum for the 3rd time today I finally put my thoughts into words and whilst delivering the keys back to Mark, the caretaker, we had ourselves a little conversation and I let fly that I would really love to make a full weekend out of this and it wouldn’t be just me it could end up being a fair few people trucks/trailers and props everywhere, so here goes….

What: The Aradale Photo Weekender
Where: Aradale Asylum – Ararat
When: August the Friday 29th – Sunday 31st
Accomodation: 8 beds at Aradale (8 taken) – plenty of space, rooms to sleep in, motels in town

So there is one room with 8 single beds all these beds have plastic wrap on them to protect the mattresses and the room has power and there is a working toilet and I will work on getting a shower whether inside Aradale itself or a camping shower. On the other hand there is over 600 rooms and most have power to them and you are welcome to bring your own camping beds and so on to score your spot on the weekend photography shoot. There are plenty of hotels in town to stay in if that is what you would prefer.

The weekend will be happening August the 29th -31st, unless something pops up that Mark needs to change the dates. You can come for the day or the night or to stay the whole weekend it is up to you. All I am asking is that you leave the place as you found it. Bring food and drinks and your own sheets/blankets and pillows and whatever else you need.

The idea of doing all this is not only for photographers to get a chance to show their stuff but also to help get Aradale on the map and try to get it as a tourist attraction to show people the history of this place.

So what will we need…. Please feel free to add onto this list…

Models -
Male & Female for both nude and clothed shots
Models of all sizes shapes and looks, some shots will take place in a morgue, some in isolation rooms and lounge rooms roaming and so forth.

Photographers – Obviously
All schools of photographers, beginners to professionals

Writers
Writers of all sorts, gain inspiration from what is going on around you and the place itself.

Make Up Artist
To help get our models into character for their prospective eras

Hair Stylist
To help get our models into character for their prospective eras

Props…

• Doctors outfits, nurse outfits both male and female
• Straight Jackets/ and the likes
• Strapless and Shoelaceless flat white shoes (you know those cotton slip on things)
• Hospital gowns, clothing for both patients and visitors
• Hospital beds, Wheelchair/s
• Fake Blood
• White Sheets (that can get ruined)
• Chairs
• Preachers Clothing, Church Goblet
• Cleaners Clothing & Tools
• Kitchen Hair Nets
• Food trays
• Bowls/Cutlery/cups

If you can supply anything but can not make it please contact me and we can make some arrangements. If you would like to model or anything else please contact me so I can get a proper list going of those interested and those coming so I can keep track of everything. Clothing era’s are from 1887 onwards.

Things I have or will be bringing.

• Cleaning stuff to make sure our models are not getting dirty when they need to be cleaning.
• Clear plastic sheeting
• BBQ
• Mini Fridge
• Heater
• Items get a outside fire going for toasted marshmellows and story telling if you wanted.
• Esky
• Some clothing

I will arrive early on the 29th to open up the building clean up the living areas and toilet and set up a few things, you are more than welcome to join me and help in setting the place up for visitors

Alcohol is to be provided by yourself but please remember that this can be a dangerous place in a drunken state of mind so drinking in moderation would be the wise thing. Food if everyone pitches in we should all feast very well…. I have tones of coffee and sugar and tea which I can bring along. Please Bmail or leave a message here if you are interested… If you are interested please remember to mark the dates on your calendars so you don’t forget.

If I have left anything out I will be back to add it in but I was too excited not to put something up right now…

Me = Photographer & reluctant model (if anyone wants to do horror photography!!) ;p

Will be happy to bring with me…
2×500w Halogen lamps plus stands
1 x large soft box
1 x silver reflective umbrella (for remote flashes)
2 x white brollies
1 x large silver/gold/white/black reflector.

awesome idea. would so love to go back there.
dibs on one of the plastic wrapped beds.

+1 photographer (and am happy to jump infront of the camera as well, but i’m no model).

i’ll see what i can put together in terms of props. have a few things left over from the last horror film i worked on.

Where is it,sounds cool if I can get there somehow without a car.

I am happy to model as a patient or as a dead person not fussed bout getting onto the bed at the morgue…. The more models the better. For those of you who have been there know the morgue is only a tiny box so I will be making up a rotational time table for all photographers to make it easier and fair on everyone (sorry if this disappoints)

Please remember if you are wanting to come and stay please tell me whether you are bringing your own bed or you want a bed there are only 8 beds there I am hogging one for both nights so that leaves 7 beds….There is plenty more room for people to crash on the floor in this building or like I said above pick a room for yourself and pray you get no visits from the spooky side of life….

For those without cars I suggest you all get together and car pool, I am in Seymour so I by pass the city getting to Aradale but I do have a 7 seater territory and I am sure if you really wanted to be there we could arrange something to get you in my car for lift or any one else’s. If you have large props but no way of getting them there please contact me as I have a trailer and or a truck at my disposal.

Please also remember this is a lot of organizing for one person so if you feel I have left something out or would like to ad anything contact me and I will get it sorted out in the best way possible. I am a mum of 3 so the brain is a little fried :)

For myself I want to take photos of models as characters who would have been in Aradale whether for work visiting or a patient in prospective eras but I also want to take some of the more modernized photos that pull at my brains workings…. I am hoping those that bring props and models are happy to share them around for those who are not as lucky to get such props or models (ok share with me LOL) So if anyone knows of models both male and female and plenty of them please bring them along….. I will really like to get shots of the era with a fair few models involved in certain areas so we will need a few models although I can not afford to pay them.

The other that will be happening is a petition that if you agree with I ask you all to sign on the day(s) you are there which is to just help me get Aradale on the map…. The other proposition I have is if you are happy for me to use photos or writings you have done at Aradale for my petition please tell me and your work will be credited to you when the petition is put in.

Mark is happy that I have gained so much interest in this place already and is happy for me to do this so please make sure when you come along to take care and leave things as they are…..

Ok think I am babbling and I will start a new post soon with the list of people and props so we all know what we have coming and when and who…..

Oh,I will be coming as a photographer and for the whole weekend.

I am definitely able to make it just need the bed and the lift.

yep, friday and saturday night, so one bed is good i may be bring extra people along, but they will either share my single bed or take a piece of floor.

so in terms of number its me plus 1 or possibly 2 models.

i will be mainly doing photography, but for something different, and to help out on other shoots. i can model as a stiff on the floor or up against a wall, whatever suits, and if anyone in particular whats to use my look… i have a largish mario bro style mo.( see avatar)

i have a concept in mind as well, which would involved one model ( which i’m bring along), and possibly a few ‘patient’ extras as dead bodies/zombies/whatever. its more of a horror shoot.

also Melissa, if you like, i’d be happy to collate individual photographer and model concepts and what they require in terms of props and models and locations and then check with available number of models and props. if it helps at all.
so anyone with a concept can Bmail me with details, much like what you described in your post, and i can begin a list of photography concepts and shoots that some people already have in mind to do.

dante

Zombie shots sound good,can’t go past a bit of zombie action.I am also looking at the potential of the buildings themselves minus the models,I am going to bring some of my vintage cameras along as well and see what I can get with them. I am excited now,can’t wait. If worst comes to worst I can catch a train to Ararat and someone could pick me up from the station.

Ahmad you can come along too just need to know if you need a bed and if so which days

You know I’m there!

Bed would be awesome, but I’ll bring a tent if not :)

I’m thinking of resurrecting my wedding dress / gas mask idea especially :)

Just looking at your Zombie shots Reg,awesome stuff

-