For the average teenager in high school, the phrase “project-based learning” is probably unlikely to set your spine a-tingling!
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But when you add creative industry professionals, the chance to make a witty short film, and the tools with which to do it, you’ve got a recipe for a pretty engaging project.
Next week, Macksville High School will be one of a number of Nambucca Valley schools to take part in Screenwave’s REC Ya Shorts Youth Film Festival film-making program.
Run in conjunction with Headspace, the not-for-profit youth mental health mob, the festival is all about finding the next generation of film-makers in regional NSW and giving them an opportunity to put their stories on the big screen.
Students are invited to enter a short film in the festival with the chance to win from a $25,000 pool of prizes including cinema cameras and equipment, editing software, and film-making courses at the Australian Film Television and Radio School.
Mick Baines, Drama and English teacher at Macksville High, said students had always got a lot out of the REC Ya Shorts workshops and really loved them.
“This year I’ve also invited the digital design students to come along as well as my drama students,” Mick said.
He said the festival workshops, which are run by Screenwave’s directors Dave Horsley and Kate Howat, enriched what was already in a variety of the school’s curriculum subjects from Year 7 up to the HSC.
“There’s lots of different applications, it reinforces things that we’re doing in class. With my Year 10s we did film-making studies last year; our Aboriginal Studies classes are looking at ways to dramatise some Aboriginal stories from around the area.
“It’s a good hands-on way for the kids to learn, because they’re brainstorming ideas and gaining the skills to turn it into a finished product.”
“Plus the teamwork aspect also gives students valuable skills and a sense of confidence.”
Entries to REC Ya Shorts are open to every young person living in regional NSW aged 12 to 25 until August 21.
This year’s theme is “connection”. Films must be under six minutes and include a phone within the story.
To find out more about how to enter, visit http://screenwave.com.au/recyashorts/.
