Indoor Camping Guide is a 2023 short from Australian filmmaker Michael Need. Wry and approachable, the film brings together themes of camping, fishing and living with a cognitive processing disability, with touches of pandemic-era life and the perspective of a young adult. It uses humour and personal viewpoint to consider motivation, perception and how we make sense of everyday challenges. As part of the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival, it sits alongside works that celebrate the abilities and voices of people with disability. A compact, thought-provoking piece, it invites audiences to laugh and reflect in equal measure.
In this vast, fast-paced, have-it-done-by-yesterday world, it is nice to take a well-earned break from the hustle and bustle of getting up early, having breakfast, going to work, coming home late for dinner, and going to bed. There was a time where man and woman can go out on vacations to exotic, faraway places and enjoy the peace and serenity to escape the stress induced by modern life. However, in an age where pandemics and isolations are at a full-time high, having escapism is becoming harder to find and even as going out camping is no longer an option. Or is it? Just because you're forced to be stuck indoors, doesn't mean you can't find the pleasures of camping out. What's a camping trip without building a fine tent for shelter? It's a cinch as long as you remember these important steps. Rule number one, roll out the ground tarp. Rule two, lay out the body tent on top of the ground tarp. Rule three, assemble your poles to hold up the tent. Rule number four, nail the stakes to the ground. Of course, there are some factors of why building tents are more of an outdoor activity, especially the stakes. One of the joys of the great outdoors is the fresh, calm breeze of going out fishing in the babbling brooks. Although you won't be able to find them indoors, that doesn't mean you cannot enjoy the thrills of casting out your fishing rod and hoping to catch a big one. On the other hand, some methods would leave you catch other than fish. It is true that we are not allowed to go outside of our own habitat, but that doesn't mean we cannot have any fun activities such as rock climbing. Then again, the money you have saved for the trip might be needed for something else, like repairing the damages. A true outdoorsman would go into great lengths by going out into the wild and roughing it to find small morsels of food. Of course, there are times not to rough it too hard to find some grub. But even when we have a good amount of food, the next method is to have them well cooked. And it's sad but true that campfires indoors is a no-go, so always be prepared. In the end, after a hard day setting up the campsite and gathering all the supplies, it is nice for a tired traveler to spend the rest of the night watching the stars, having a nourishing dinner, and taking a peaceful slumber, all in the calm and safety of the great indoors, without any more problems. Maybe one problem.
Filmmaker
Michael Need is the filmmaker behind this entry.
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18 comments
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Ingrid Birgden3/10/2023
The funny side of living through a pandemic You are such a talent Mike. Laurence and I loved it.
K
kath mcintyre28/08/2023
I love camping and this made me laugh a lot. Well done Michael what a great film. Thank you
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Brendan LLoyd26/08/2023
Great to see pandemic humour and well-acted.
M
Mary Bruhn26/08/2023
Hi Michael well done fun and entertaining.
M
Megs L25/08/2023
This really made me laugh very creative and fun. Thank you
T
Tanya Parr24/08/2023
I think it's great that was funny Jarrah 8yo and mum Tanya Parr
J
Janet Ting23/08/2023
Great video Mike Luv the story n humour.
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Peter Ting Su Fong22/08/2023
Fantastic idea very good Hurray Mike
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Su Su21/08/2023
Excellent movies Very enlighten idea and great job.Well done Mike keep making.
D
Doris Lampre21/08/2023
Brilliant and well done.Michael did very well in narrating the story line and acting.I enjoyed the film and had a good laugh.Certainly I will vote for him.
F
Fiona Craig21/08/2023
Great humour Michael Love the indoor fishing
F
Frances Buring17/08/2023
Fun social commentary and love the dry yet upbeat humour
J
Joshua Norton17/08/2023
Another fantastic piece of work Michael Had me laughing all the way through. Whether informational or comedic youve always had an amazing sense of portraying a story
M
Mel Hogg16/08/2023
Hi Mike I really enjoyed your short film I like your use of observation and humour Well done
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Emily Lothian16/08/2023
This short film made me laugh I loved it great sense of humour Welldone
K
Katie Baylis16/08/2023
Congratulations on another amazing achievement in film with being a finalist in this festival. Such a hilarious and fun short film. You have a unique perspective and ability to translate your ideas in such a humorous way on film.
C
Chen Need16/08/2023
Well done Michael Need. Mike Oz Need. Great work . Congratulation for also winning the Semi Final award from SWIFF Student World Impact Film Festival of USA. Great to hear your podcast with SWIFF on Spotify Google Podcast Apple podcast Amazon music Audible IHeartRadio.
The funny side of living through a pandemic You are such a talent Mike. Laurence and I loved it.
I love camping and this made me laugh a lot. Well done Michael what a great film. Thank you
Great to see pandemic humour and well-acted.
Hi Michael well done fun and entertaining.
This really made me laugh very creative and fun. Thank you
I think it's great that was funny Jarrah 8yo and mum Tanya Parr
Great video Mike Luv the story n humour.
Fantastic idea very good Hurray Mike
Excellent movies Very enlighten idea and great job.Well done Mike keep making.
Brilliant and well done.Michael did very well in narrating the story line and acting.I enjoyed the film and had a good laugh.Certainly I will vote for him.
Great humour Michael Love the indoor fishing
Fun social commentary and love the dry yet upbeat humour
Another fantastic piece of work Michael Had me laughing all the way through. Whether informational or comedic youve always had an amazing sense of portraying a story
Hi Mike I really enjoyed your short film I like your use of observation and humour Well done
This short film made me laugh I loved it great sense of humour Welldone
Congratulations on another amazing achievement in film with being a finalist in this festival. Such a hilarious and fun short film. You have a unique perspective and ability to translate your ideas in such a humorous way on film.
Well done Michael Need. Mike Oz Need. Great work . Congratulation for also winning the Semi Final award from SWIFF Student World Impact Film Festival of USA. Great to hear your podcast with SWIFF on Spotify Google Podcast Apple podcast Amazon music Audible IHeartRadio.
Well done Mike what a wonderful adventure