Sally McLean is an experienced producer, director and writer in theatre and film with a strong television production background from her time working for the BBC, Endemol Southern Star and Fremantle Media.
She is currently working on her landmark documentary television directorial debut project A Life Unexpected: The Franz Stampfl Story – the extraordinary true story of Franz Stampfl, an Austrian Art student who would go on to heavily influence and shape the sporting and fitness world as one of the greatest coaches of the 20th Century – and is seeking donations to contribute to travel and production costs for filming in Australia and North America.
Filming has already taken place in England, Ireland and Austria, with completed interviews with Sir Roger Bannister, Sir Christopher Chataway, Ulick O’Connor and members of the Stampfl family.
About the project
A Life Unexpected: The Franz Stampfl Story is a landmark documentary intended for television broadcast written and directed by Sally McLean and produced by Melanie Brunt & Jeffery Richards.
This is the untold, true story of the world-renowned athletics coach Franz Stampfl - shining a light on an unsung hero of the sporting and motivational arenas, a man who inspired others to strive for excellence in their own lives and careers with wisdom, laughter and his own life experience.
Independently produced, this unique documentary explores the extraordinary life and achievements of one of the greatest coaches and mentors of the 20th Century. Beginning in 1930's Austria, we follow his journey through the Depression, WWII, his engineering of the breaking of the Four Minute Mile record, the Melbourne Olympic Games, his life-long commitment to promoting women in sport and their invaluable and equal contribution to society, onto the changing face of sport and fitness in the 1960s and beyond up to his death in 1995 as a quadriplegic - tracing his continuing influence not just on world-class athletics and the modern health and fitness industry, but also his innate ability to inspire and motivate people from all walks of life to pursue and achieve excellence - no matter their field of interest or expertise
As the daughter of one of Franz’s 1956 Australian Olympians (Margaret Woodlock), Director Sally McLean has been researching this documentary since 2006, and is now ready to fully bring this extraordinary story to the screen for people to experience first-hand. Since beginning the project, she has gained the support of several prominent athletes trained by Franz, as well as Franz’s own family – in particular, his son, Dr. Anton Stampfl, who is now an Associate Producer on the project.
Through interviews with a selection of fascinating people from all over the world whom he knew and/or coached (including Sir Roger Bannister, Sir Christopher Chataway, John Landy, Ulick O'Connor, Ron Clarke, Herb Elliot and Ralph Doubell and others), and the use of rare archive footage, audio and stills, this documentary celebrates the remarkable talent, commitment to excellence and inspirational personality of Franz Stampfl - brought to life by the first-hand inspiring stories of some of the 22,000+ people he coached over his long career, as well as friends, family and colleagues.
This is the only film to be officially sanctioned by Franz's family, ensuring access to his personal documents, films of training sessions, home movies and recordings of his many public speeches - and is the only documentary ever made about his life.
A Life Unexpected: The Franz Stampfl Story tells the tale of one individual's amazing and unexpected life – showing all of us that anyone, anywhere can do anything if they just believe in themselves.
To view an introductory video for A Life Unexpected: The Franz Stampfl Story visit http://vimeo.com/29530173.