The Assembly

No subject is out of bounds. No question is off the table. Anything might happen.

These are the rules of The Assembly interviews. But the room in which ABC’s pool of autistic journalism trainees probe their subjects is also a safe space with no judgment. The guest is generously afforded the same rights as the interviewers…. to fidget, move, or ask for a break as they need.

ABC’s new six part interview series represents a remarkable opportunity for 16 young Australians, all living with varying degrees of autism, to expore an interest in journalism. Under the auspices of the ABC they are given access to six well-known Australians (only two of whom I’ve ever interviewed).

The Assembly is based on a French program, Les rencontres du Papotin, and a subsequent BBC adaptation. The local version helped create Australia’s first autism friendly journalism course led by Dr Helen Wolfenden and Dr Tai Neilson at Macquarie University, in conjunction with Aspect Australia. The series by Helium Productions is also supported by Bus Stop Films, a leader in production in the disability sector.

Mentoring the students is Leigh Sales, a name so recognised it floors many of the students at how high-level this is all being treated.

“I’m trying to do two things. One is to give the students confidence,” she reveals, “…and to find the clearest way to ask what they want to ask.”

While autism has been highlighted through ABC shows such as Love on the Spectrum, we hear other views from student backstories.

“Autisim feels like crash landing on earth… I’m an alien from a different planet…. it’s like I don’t speak the language,” says Evie, who always wanted to pursue journalism but “I’m not sure if I have the skills.”

While there are no cameras for the Macquarie University course, Leigh Sales works with students in small groups to help them prepare their questions for the guests who will all be interviewed on site at ABC (not in a claustrophobic studio but in a light-filled, street-facing room).

But we are here for the interview and the arrival of Sam Neill is met with as much anticipation as staff meeting Kim Williams for the first time (I presume). There’s a nervous excitement rippling through the room when the A-lister takes his seat as part of a circle, abandoning any ‘press conference’ me-versus-you normally denoted by a desk full of microphones. Sales quietly gestures for each to stand and ask their prepared questions as exposed cameras encircle the group like a theatre without a fourth wall.

The questions -and I won’t divulge them all here- frequently disarm Neill, and one will even lead to tears welling up in his eyes.

They centre around the art of performing, growing up, health battles, his farm in NZ, romance, the future, his knighthood and more.

They will learn about a famous film he turned down, his struggle to accept being knighted and how he deals with nerves. No surprises, Sam Neill is all class for the generosity and humility he brings.

While Savannah, 19, loves his passion for chickens, Jackson is out to impress with his dinosaur collection. Anything goes here….

In episode 3 the guest PM Anthony Albanese speaks about growing up with a single mother, his top Spotify artists, upcoming wedding thoughts, and favourite other PMs. Even Albo will need to reach for the tissues when faced with disarming questions from the young journos.

Other episodes will feature Hamish Blake, Adam Goodes, Amanda Keller and Delta Goodrem (and if they are not careful, the stars could be upstaged by the spark of young newcomers).

Cleverly, the show is as intriguing for its insight into its subjects as it is for the way young people with autism see the world, the values they place on it and the way they navigate its various challenges.

Helium’s production keeps the experience authentic and deliberately low key, using hand held cameras, deconstructing the process. Access is the key, to the process, to the storytelling, if with a supportive hand to guide while letting the 16 students rise to the occasion.

This makes it the warmest TV of its kind since that other hit show, Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds. Don’t miss it.

The Assembly screens 8:30pm Tuesday on ABC.