With five other savvy, young mediamakers from Fairfield and Liverpool, Guido Gonzalez, 27, is spicing up the local media by creating and broadcasting professional short videos online.

The Urban Stories Crew will capture the people, places and perspectives of Western Sydney in an attempt to reshape the local media industry.

"We aim to strike a balance between art and journalism, but that's a hard task, since there are so many stories to tell and there are so many ways to frame these local narratives,'' Mr Gonzalez said.

"It's the challenge of presenting something new and the abundance of untold local stories which highlight the need for locally-grown, cutting-edge media-makers.

"That's why we're here.

"That's why we're so determined.''

Bonnyrigg filmmaker Shane McDonald says his love for filming did not develop overnight.

"Initially, I was dragged into the film industry,'' he said.

"I didn't think I'd pursue video.

"But once I started helping out on film projects in the local area, I began to warm to the idea of making a career of it.

"Now it's what I want to do.''

The Urban Stories Crew is part of The Stories Project, an initiative established by CuriousWorks, a not-for-profit organisation .

Details: To stay in touch with the crew and view their first film in July, sign up to the CuriousWorks mailing list at www.curiousworks.com.au.