(Caption: Subculture: The Whovians title card. Photo credit: Prudence Bernadette, 2025)
Australian filmmaker and musician Prudence Bernadette (aka TheArtGirl) is stepping into the spotlight to debut her documentary Subculture: The Whovians. Produced under her new company, Prudent Pictures, the film is a love letter to the Dr Who fandom and a reminder that fans can become the next generation of creators.
How it Started
‘I was at a Western Sydney Filmmakers Hangout when Jonathan Blum came up to me and asked if I played the theremin’, Prudence said. ‘Not many people do, but it turns out the Doctor Who theme used it. That’s how our conversation started, and six months later, he messaged me about his new book and asked if I’d consider making a documentary’.
What was supposed to be a small promo turned into a full project for Bernadette.
‘I didn’t want it to just be a YouTube clip. I realised this needed to be something bigger. A documentary that gave Whovians the respect they deserve’.
Entering Fandom
Here’s the twist: before working on the film, Prudence had never seen a single episode of Doctor Who. Instead of being a barrier, that gave her a fresh perspective:
‘I came to it without bias. I didn’t want to stereotype the community. Listening to Jonathan’s passion, then watching the show through that lens, completely changed how I saw it. It wasn’t just sci-fi, it was about creativity, lore and belonging’.
(Caption: Prudence Bernadette portrait. Supplied by Prudence Bernadette, 2024. Instagram.)
From Fan to Creator
At the heart of the film is Jonathan Blum’s journey from young fan to an official Doctor Who writer.
‘That leap from consumer to creator is powerful’, Prudence explained. ‘It’s the same leap many artists make. You start loving something, and then one day you want to give back to it. That’s what fandom is about’.
Western Sydney Roots
The documentary is Prudent Pictures’ first project, the made up entirely of Western Sydney creatives.
‘Working with local talent was important to me. There’s so much creativity here. Festivals like Made in the West bring us together and give underdogs a platform. That’s who this film is for: the dark horses who are often underestimated and overlooked’, said Bernadette.
Looking Ahead
Prudence hopes Subculture: The Whovians helps people see fandom culture differently: ‘It’s not just geek culture. It’s where creativity begins and I want fans to know they don’t have to wait for permission. Just get started and create’.
And yes, she now has a favourite episode: ‘Blink. It’s terrifying and brilliant. It made me understand why people love this show so much’.
