February 2010 Archives
Monday the 15th of February marked the world red carpet premiere of RONAN'S ESCAPE at Hoyts Cinema. Written and directed by A.J. Carter, a West Australian filmmaker now based in Los Angeles (USA), the film was shot in the majestic landscapes of WA's wheat belt on 35mm and Super 16mm in the summer of 2008 and 2009.
RONAN'S ESCAPE is a tragic, yet visually beautiful film about a 14 year old school boy named Ronan (played by David Lazarus) growing up in a rural West Australian town. He is the social outcast of the school and has been for years. The film follows the last few hours of Ronan's day at school before he makes his escape in a heartbreaking and somewhat controversial ending.
The film was a massive collaborative effort and included a team of established industry professionals including director of photography David Lemay, special effects and props guru Jeremy Shaw and Oscar nominated Producer Martin Mhando. Other names included co-writer and editor Lukas William Martin, producers Kate Separovich, Brad Major and Jennifer Carter, and young American composer Hamilton Cleverdon.
The evening kicked off with red carpet photography, complimentary pre-drinks and food. Around 330 guests were then invited to take their seats as A.J. Carter gave a moving introductory speech about the film, complete with special thank yous to all cast and crew. After the 15 minute screening, a question and answer session was held with A.J. Carter, David Lemay and David Lazarus fielding many interesting queries from the audience.
The premiere was a successful celebration of the hard work employed by all the local filmmakers involved and in appreciation of the private investors who funded the project. It highlights the high quality cinema capable of being produced right here in Western Australia.
The film is currently on the international film festival circuit, having just screened at Sedona International Film Festival (USA) on Tuesday the 23rd of February. The film is also an Official Selection for Byron Bay International Film Festival (AUS) which kicks off in March.
Kristy Symonds
Associate Producer and Public Relations Officer, Ronan's Escape
A.J. Carter (Writer, Producer, Director), David Lazarus
(Ronan), Brad Major (Producer), David LeMay (Director of Photography)
RONAN'S ESCAPE is a tragic, yet visually beautiful film about a 14 year old school boy named Ronan (played by David Lazarus) growing up in a rural West Australian town. He is the social outcast of the school and has been for years. The film follows the last few hours of Ronan's day at school before he makes his escape in a heartbreaking and somewhat controversial ending.
The film was a massive collaborative effort and included a team of established industry professionals including director of photography David Lemay, special effects and props guru Jeremy Shaw and Oscar nominated Producer Martin Mhando. Other names included co-writer and editor Lukas William Martin, producers Kate Separovich, Brad Major and Jennifer Carter, and young American composer Hamilton Cleverdon.
A.J. Carter (Writer, Producer, Director), Luke Martin (Screenplay), Kathleen Separovich (Producer), Brad Major (Producer)
The evening kicked off with red carpet photography, complimentary pre-drinks and food. Around 330 guests were then invited to take their seats as A.J. Carter gave a moving introductory speech about the film, complete with special thank yous to all cast and crew. After the 15 minute screening, a question and answer session was held with A.J. Carter, David Lemay and David Lazarus fielding many interesting queries from the audience.
The premiere was a successful celebration of the hard work employed by all the local filmmakers involved and in appreciation of the private investors who funded the project. It highlights the high quality cinema capable of being produced right here in Western Australia.
The film is currently on the international film festival circuit, having just screened at Sedona International Film Festival (USA) on Tuesday the 23rd of February. The film is also an Official Selection for Byron Bay International Film Festival (AUS) which kicks off in March.
Kristy Symonds
Associate Producer and Public Relations Officer, Ronan's Escape
WASA - People's Choice 3 Screening
The WA Screen Awards People's Choice Awards ran like clockwork last night. The third night of screenings ran for more than two and half-hours as more WASA nominated films were shown to the public at the Bohemia Outdoor Cinema at the FTI.
The night kicked off with the crowd-pleasing STUFFED (p. Alex Giles).
This quirky, toy-themed comedy was directed by Øyvind Opshaugas. The
same director was responsible for the Kazimir Sas produced and written
THE BUBBLEOLOGIST an ethereal film that lay somewhere between a poem and
a documentary.
Serious drama abounded with Corrie Jones' beautifully realised Hyperlink-funded film WATER (p. Sarah Shaw). The sensitively directed short said a lot with very little dialogue as it traced the journey of a boy dealing with the aftermath of a life-altering accident. Zak Hilditch's ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES (p. Liz Kearney) was screened for a second time. The story of Rory's 18th birthday and his brother's idea of an appropriate present was the subject that won the City of Fremantle's Best Fremantle Film Award in the recent Bohemian Shorts Film Festival.
Simon Larkin's SORRENTO (p. Sophie Matthewson) dealt with the damage a secret can do. The power of secrets to destroy friendships was also the theme of Mike Hoath's THE BUCK'S PARTY (p. Freya Brueschke). The latter film was a slice of life that looked beneath the expectation of the soon-to-be-wed.
Comedy was also part of the program with a second screening of Mel Judkins and Tasha Stephenson's E-bay documentary I WILL NOT BE OUTBID, a Raw Nerve funded film. Julia Ngeow's schooldays film CARLOS RULES THE WORLD (p.& w. Ethan Marrell) definitely made an impression with the crowd. Laughs could be heard in Princess May Park for both productions. The comic crowd pleaser of the evening was Vincenzo Perrella and Dan Osborn's THIS IS PERTH. The short went viral on YouTube in 2009 and it's easy to see why. The audience chuckled through the references to Old Bertie and Parliament House and particularly enjoyed The Revolving Prison.
Documentary was also strong in the night's program with Denise Groves MY NAN AND THE YANDI (p. Jennifer Gheradi) a Deadly Yarns funded film. The film is simply told but makes all its points clearly. The night closed out with Mat de Koning's HARMONY IN HALL'S CREEK (p. Jo Randell) The 25 minute film shows how music can help heal a town's troubled past.
The 200 plus crowd included Zak Hilditch, Alison James, Aaron McCann, Mat de Koning, Vincenzo Perrella, Tasha Stephenson, Damien Spiccia, Shannon O'Neill, Ella Wright and John Rapsey.
NOTE: A fourth People's Choice Night has been scheduled for this Saturday Night (20th February) FTI Screen Events Manager Liz Sideris explained, "There were more nominations in all categories this year and we also have many longer films to program, so it became essential to put on an extra night."
So there you have it. Get down for the fourth and final night of the WA Screen Awards People's Choice Awards. Bring your 'phone and get ready to vote for your favourite
Phil Jeng Kane
Editor, Monitor Magazine
The WA Screen Awards People's Choice Awards ran like clockwork last night. The third night of screenings ran for more than two and half-hours as more WASA nominated films were shown to the public at the Bohemia Outdoor Cinema at the FTI.
The night kicked off with the crowd-pleasing STUFFED (p. Alex Giles).
This quirky, toy-themed comedy was directed by Øyvind Opshaugas. The
same director was responsible for the Kazimir Sas produced and written
THE BUBBLEOLOGIST an ethereal film that lay somewhere between a poem and
a documentary.
L- R Jules Fortune, Freya Beueschlce and Magdalena Wozniak. Photo: Dylan Tilbury
Serious drama abounded with Corrie Jones' beautifully realised Hyperlink-funded film WATER (p. Sarah Shaw). The sensitively directed short said a lot with very little dialogue as it traced the journey of a boy dealing with the aftermath of a life-altering accident. Zak Hilditch's ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES (p. Liz Kearney) was screened for a second time. The story of Rory's 18th birthday and his brother's idea of an appropriate present was the subject that won the City of Fremantle's Best Fremantle Film Award in the recent Bohemian Shorts Film Festival.
L - R Naomi Osborn, Tim Grey-Smith and Evie. Photo: Dylan Tilbury
Simon Larkin's SORRENTO (p. Sophie Matthewson) dealt with the damage a secret can do. The power of secrets to destroy friendships was also the theme of Mike Hoath's THE BUCK'S PARTY (p. Freya Brueschke). The latter film was a slice of life that looked beneath the expectation of the soon-to-be-wed.
L - R Meg-Isabella Hewett, Madi Hall and Tess Godfrey. Photo: Dylan Tilbury
Comedy was also part of the program with a second screening of Mel Judkins and Tasha Stephenson's E-bay documentary I WILL NOT BE OUTBID, a Raw Nerve funded film. Julia Ngeow's schooldays film CARLOS RULES THE WORLD (p.& w. Ethan Marrell) definitely made an impression with the crowd. Laughs could be heard in Princess May Park for both productions. The comic crowd pleaser of the evening was Vincenzo Perrella and Dan Osborn's THIS IS PERTH. The short went viral on YouTube in 2009 and it's easy to see why. The audience chuckled through the references to Old Bertie and Parliament House and particularly enjoyed The Revolving Prison.
L - R Tasha Stephenson and Rupert Marcello. Photo: Dylan Tilbury
Documentary was also strong in the night's program with Denise Groves MY NAN AND THE YANDI (p. Jennifer Gheradi) a Deadly Yarns funded film. The film is simply told but makes all its points clearly. The night closed out with Mat de Koning's HARMONY IN HALL'S CREEK (p. Jo Randell) The 25 minute film shows how music can help heal a town's troubled past.
The 200 plus crowd included Zak Hilditch, Alison James, Aaron McCann, Mat de Koning, Vincenzo Perrella, Tasha Stephenson, Damien Spiccia, Shannon O'Neill, Ella Wright and John Rapsey.
NOTE: A fourth People's Choice Night has been scheduled for this Saturday Night (20th February) FTI Screen Events Manager Liz Sideris explained, "There were more nominations in all categories this year and we also have many longer films to program, so it became essential to put on an extra night."
So there you have it. Get down for the fourth and final night of the WA Screen Awards People's Choice Awards. Bring your 'phone and get ready to vote for your favourite
Phil Jeng Kane
Editor, Monitor Magazine
Sunday 8 February was the premiere of the locally made independent feature THE TOLL. It is the third feature directed by Zak Hilditch. His first two were The Actress and Plum Role. The Actress garnered good reviews, won awards and was eventually distributed on DVD. THE TOLL is about two men who go into the forest of the South West, searching for a treasure they believe has been stashed away by a dying man. The two men are played by Steve McCall and Nick Britton. Other cast includes Rose McKenna, Talei Howell-Price and Kingsley Judd.
The script was written by McCall and Hilditch and the film was produced by Antony Webb. Webb was also cinematographer and editor of the 84 minute feature. The experience this team has gained in making three features and a string of shorts was obvious in the finished product. THE TOLL is an absorbing two-hander with an unpredictable story, strong performances and a convincing resolution. The independent, ultra-low budget feature is easy to get wrong, however this film is solid in all departments including the music which was composed by Dave Richardson and Steve McCall.
There were two screenings of the film in the FTI Cinema. The first was for friends, family, the second was for Industry. Webb and Hilditch gave an opening speech at the beginning of the second session in which they thanked their dedicated crew who worked for love in cold and gritty condition during a wet winter. There was a lot of love in the room and an extra dollop went to Ethan Marrell for his firsting of the film. He then proved his credentials further by reminding the audience to shut off their mobile phones as the lights went down.
There was a conjoined after and pre-party for the two audiences. Seen at this event were: Debbie Thoy, Wade K Savage, Pauline Butterworth, Stuart McKenzie, Ash Gibson Greig, Alex von Hoffmann, Tristan Fidler, Naomi Lynch, Lauren Hestelow, Jacob Fjord, Pierce Davison, Liz Kearney, Luke Jago, Michael Hoath, Janine Boreland, Henry Inglis, Lauren Elliot, Aaron McCann, Kate Csillag, Anthony Hanson, Alison Hayles, Alison James, Liz Sideris, Ken Miller, James Helm and Steve Sheen.
Phil Jeng Kane
Editor, Monitor Magazine
The script was written by McCall and Hilditch and the film was produced by Antony Webb. Webb was also cinematographer and editor of the 84 minute feature. The experience this team has gained in making three features and a string of shorts was obvious in the finished product. THE TOLL is an absorbing two-hander with an unpredictable story, strong performances and a convincing resolution. The independent, ultra-low budget feature is easy to get wrong, however this film is solid in all departments including the music which was composed by Dave Richardson and Steve McCall.
There were two screenings of the film in the FTI Cinema. The first was for friends, family, the second was for Industry. Webb and Hilditch gave an opening speech at the beginning of the second session in which they thanked their dedicated crew who worked for love in cold and gritty condition during a wet winter. There was a lot of love in the room and an extra dollop went to Ethan Marrell for his firsting of the film. He then proved his credentials further by reminding the audience to shut off their mobile phones as the lights went down.
There was a conjoined after and pre-party for the two audiences. Seen at this event were: Debbie Thoy, Wade K Savage, Pauline Butterworth, Stuart McKenzie, Ash Gibson Greig, Alex von Hoffmann, Tristan Fidler, Naomi Lynch, Lauren Hestelow, Jacob Fjord, Pierce Davison, Liz Kearney, Luke Jago, Michael Hoath, Janine Boreland, Henry Inglis, Lauren Elliot, Aaron McCann, Kate Csillag, Anthony Hanson, Alison Hayles, Alison James, Liz Sideris, Ken Miller, James Helm and Steve Sheen.
Phil Jeng Kane
Editor, Monitor Magazine
Week 2 of The Outdoor Bohemia Film Festival kicked off last night (Thursday 11 February) with a packed out screening of the WASA People's Choice Awards. The WASAs are the WA Screen Awards and this event allows filmmakers and filmgoers the opportunity to see the nominated early career films. An audience of 300 plus attended in perfect conditions to see a slew of music videos and short dramas.
Brendon Nass
The night definitely had a science fictional bent with the shorts DISTANT FUTURE (d. Aaron Moss, p. Ellena Stacey) RUNNER (d. David Meadows, p. Zoltan Vincenze) and 20 CREDITS hitting the big outdoor screen. 20 CREDITS was made by John Curtin College of the Arts. Emma Clements from the College's media program was there to support the nominated film. JCCA produced films have been nominated for WASAs in the last six years. "And last year we were pleased to win one," Clements said.
Edith Cowan University and Central TAFE usually gather a number of nominations at any WA Screen Awards. Central's Ross Maccallum was at the Bohemia Cinema again watching over his charges. FTI connected films included the OOMPF funded A BASEMENT ON A HILL (d. Cassidy Hill & Charlie Domville-Lewis) ENEMY (d. Pete Gleeson, p. Kate Neylon) and the student film A SPECIAL SWEET TREAT (d. Seb Baltyn, p. Raad Cerenich and Stephen Phillips).
WA Screen Academy's Pigskin (d. Simon Larkin, p. Jules Fortune, w. Ceinwen Langley) seemed to be much talked about as this writer eavesdropped in the candy-bar queue, but at the time of writing, the People's Choice winner for the evening had not been announced. Hopefully most of the audience got their iPhones or Nokias out and used the phone system to vote for their favourite.
Seen in the crowd: Andrew Buckley, Mat de Koning, Johnny Ma, Cassidy Hill, Charlie Domville-Lewis, Kate Neylon, Pete Gleeson, Richard Mahony and Chris Pollard.
Jed Laloh, Lindon Mellor and Zoe Hollyoak
Saturday 6 February was the night many local filmmakers had been waiting for. The FTI and a slew of sponsors had set up a local short film festival based in the Port City. An audience of 270 showed up to see what the competition looked like. The quality of entries was high with the festival attracting national and international entries as well as those from W.A.
Films ranged greatly in subject matter and approach; from the homemade simplicity of Kate Vyvyan's THE DOG AND THE STICK through to the war movie with a twist Pete Gleeson's ENEMY; from the stark animated horror of THE COLLISION through to the slickness of the feelgood American entry TRUE BEAUTY THIS NIGHT.
Sheer Freo-ness was one of the qualities encouraged by the competition and this could be found in abundance in Vincenzo Perrella and Dan Osborn's HELLO, IT'S FREO. The film was a follow up to their 2009 film, the YouTube sensation THIS IS PERTH. Fans of the first film discovered that Old Bertie has a rival for terror and that Dan Osborn has even more deadpan expressions to offer the world. Perhaps even more Freo was Chris Pidgeon's extraordinary Dr Freo. Cramming more Fremantle landmarks and locations into its 8 and half minute length, the film told an action -packed story of one tense man's transformation into a calmer, more sequinned individual.
The City of Fremantle Best Film Award with a prize of $3000 went to the Australian drama THE LAUNDROMAT (d. Timothy Melville). The City of Fremantle's Best Fremantle Film was ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES, directed by Zak Hilditch. This came with a prize of $5000, which was accepted, by Hilditch and producer Liz Kearney.
Utilising the Reality Show-tested SMS voting system, the audience picked their favourite for the evening Mel Judkins and Tasha Stephenson's Ebay documentary I WILL NOT BE OUTBID.
SMS voting for the Bendigo Bank - Fremantle Community Branch People's Choice Award winner
Also seen in the partisan Fremantle audience were Joachim Strand, Ghazal Lahooti, Pete Gleeson, Kate Neylon, Pierce Davison, Liz Kearney, Vincenzo Perrella, Dan Osborn, Chris Trappe, Aron Dyer, Antony Webb, Pauline Butterworth and Alison James.
The Inaugural Bohemian Shorts Festival was an audience hit and if you filmmakers would like a shot at winning some prize money start thinking about next year's script now.
Films ranged greatly in subject matter and approach; from the homemade simplicity of Kate Vyvyan's THE DOG AND THE STICK through to the war movie with a twist Pete Gleeson's ENEMY; from the stark animated horror of THE COLLISION through to the slickness of the feelgood American entry TRUE BEAUTY THIS NIGHT.
Zak Hilditch, Brad Pettitt, Mayor, City of Fremantle and Liz Kearney
Sheer Freo-ness was one of the qualities encouraged by the competition and this could be found in abundance in Vincenzo Perrella and Dan Osborn's HELLO, IT'S FREO. The film was a follow up to their 2009 film, the YouTube sensation THIS IS PERTH. Fans of the first film discovered that Old Bertie has a rival for terror and that Dan Osborn has even more deadpan expressions to offer the world. Perhaps even more Freo was Chris Pidgeon's extraordinary Dr Freo. Cramming more Fremantle landmarks and locations into its 8 and half minute length, the film told an action -packed story of one tense man's transformation into a calmer, more sequinned individual.
Keith Richardson & Chris Pidgeon
The City of Fremantle Best Film Award with a prize of $3000 went to the Australian drama THE LAUNDROMAT (d. Timothy Melville). The City of Fremantle's Best Fremantle Film was ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES, directed by Zak Hilditch. This came with a prize of $5000, which was accepted, by Hilditch and producer Liz Kearney.
Utilising the Reality Show-tested SMS voting system, the audience picked their favourite for the evening Mel Judkins and Tasha Stephenson's Ebay documentary I WILL NOT BE OUTBID.
SMS voting for the Bendigo Bank - Fremantle Community Branch People's Choice Award winnerAlso seen in the partisan Fremantle audience were Joachim Strand, Ghazal Lahooti, Pete Gleeson, Kate Neylon, Pierce Davison, Liz Kearney, Vincenzo Perrella, Dan Osborn, Chris Trappe, Aron Dyer, Antony Webb, Pauline Butterworth and Alison James.
The Inaugural Bohemian Shorts Festival was an audience hit and if you filmmakers would like a shot at winning some prize money start thinking about next year's script now.
Blog by Phil Jeng Kane
Editor, Monitor Magazine
Friday night February 5 was a Bohemian Night of Animation. The weather had leapt about five degrees from the previous evening's crispness. Perfect weather to showcase Nick Shorts, a funding and development initiative between Nickelodeon Australia, ScreenWest and the FTI.
Six original Western Australian animated shorts drew out the fans, industry and local animators. The films were The Paper Tale (Sohan Hayes), The Geeks (p. David Downie, d. Todd Milias) My Extraordinary Little Sister (p. Kate Vyvyan, d. Stephen Grant, TJ Beeson), The Surprise (p. Kate Rothschild d. Stephen Grant & TJ Beeson), The Hairoes (p. Bridget Curran, d. Jesse Emmerson & Gaetan Raspanti) and Backstage (p. Jacob Fjord, d. Pierce Davison).
L-R Pierce Davison and Jacob Fjord
These locally made animations covered subjects as diverse as a baby with magical powers of flight through to claymation kids keen working hard to perfect their theatre show. The films drew laughs and applause from a crowd of 300 including about 50 appreciative kids. Some of the audience had been trained in the FTI's animation program and had come to see the work that former classmates and colleagues had produced.
Graeme Sward introduces Nick Shorts to the young and young at heart
The locals had set the scene perfectly for Hayao Miyazaki's internationally popular animated fish feature Ponyo.
Seen in the animation-savvy audience were Kate Vyvyan, Aaron Kennedy, TJ Beeson, Jacob Fjord, Pierce Davison, Phil Bebb, Tim Merks, Roseline Lau, Gareth Lockett, Pat Giles, Ian Tregonning, Harry Bardwell, Susie Campbell, Troy Zafar, David Downie and Shannon Jenkins.
L-R Suzie Campbell, Alfie Wall, Kate Vyvyan and David Downie
TJ Beeson
Six original Western Australian animated shorts drew out the fans, industry and local animators. The films were The Paper Tale (Sohan Hayes), The Geeks (p. David Downie, d. Todd Milias) My Extraordinary Little Sister (p. Kate Vyvyan, d. Stephen Grant, TJ Beeson), The Surprise (p. Kate Rothschild d. Stephen Grant & TJ Beeson), The Hairoes (p. Bridget Curran, d. Jesse Emmerson & Gaetan Raspanti) and Backstage (p. Jacob Fjord, d. Pierce Davison).
L-R Pierce Davison and Jacob Fjord
These locally made animations covered subjects as diverse as a baby with magical powers of flight through to claymation kids keen working hard to perfect their theatre show. The films drew laughs and applause from a crowd of 300 including about 50 appreciative kids. Some of the audience had been trained in the FTI's animation program and had come to see the work that former classmates and colleagues had produced.
Graeme Sward introduces Nick Shorts to the young and young at heart
The locals had set the scene perfectly for Hayao Miyazaki's internationally popular animated fish feature Ponyo.
Seen in the animation-savvy audience were Kate Vyvyan, Aaron Kennedy, TJ Beeson, Jacob Fjord, Pierce Davison, Phil Bebb, Tim Merks, Roseline Lau, Gareth Lockett, Pat Giles, Ian Tregonning, Harry Bardwell, Susie Campbell, Troy Zafar, David Downie and Shannon Jenkins.
L-R Suzie Campbell, Alfie Wall, Kate Vyvyan and David Downie
TJ Beeson
Blog by Phil Jeng Kane
Editor, Monitor Magazine
Last night saw the opening of the Bohemia Outdoor Film Festival. It was the first of three WA Screen Awards People's Choice Screenings.
Animations made a strong showing in the program with the films HAIROES and MY EXTRAORDINARY LITTLE SISTER from the Nick Shorts Initiative. These flash animated films stood out from among the mostly live action material that surrounded them. The same could be said of Raging Pixel's THE COLD-HEARTED GIANT. The LINK funded 3D animation is based on an Oscar Wilde short story.
The Tertiary Educators turned out a strong crop of dramas for 2010. Fairytales gone wrong was the common theme of BEDTIME STORIES and BLUE PONIES AND WHITE SKIES. CHASING RABBITS had high production values and strong performances as did the noir-ish BOXED IN.
Perhaps the youngest talent on show last night was in the film CRASH made under the auspices of the Filmbites School. The disaster of teenage binge drinking was put under the spotlight in the 15 minute drama.
Screen Events Manager Liz Sideris was happy with the solid turn out and encouraged the audience to use the brand new SMS voting system.
Fans of television's SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE will be familiar with the technology. If you've never voted to keep someone in The BIG BROTHER House or for your favourite AUSTRALIAN IDOL, now you have a chance to exercise your texting thumbs in the cause of Western Australian filmmaking. Each film has a unique code that you can type into your Blackberry, iPhone, Nokia etc and send to our dedicated voting line 0412 055 255. And yep, we have the technology to lodge one vote from one phone.
Seen in the first night crowd were Annabelle Fouchard, Stuart MacKenzie, Wade Savage, Miranda Edmonson, Geoff Miethe, Johnny Ma, Darian Bradara, Julia Ngeow, Shaun Lee-Chen, Zak Hilditch, Antony Webb, Central TAFE's Ross Mccallum and RTR General Manager Graeme Watson among others.
Come on down tonight with the family and enjoy the fruits of the Nick Shorts Initiative. Six WA animated shorts that will run before Hayao Miyazaki's PONYO.
See you there.
Phil Jeng Kane
Editor, Monitor Magazine
Animations made a strong showing in the program with the films HAIROES and MY EXTRAORDINARY LITTLE SISTER from the Nick Shorts Initiative. These flash animated films stood out from among the mostly live action material that surrounded them. The same could be said of Raging Pixel's THE COLD-HEARTED GIANT. The LINK funded 3D animation is based on an Oscar Wilde short story.
Filmmakers! All at the bar. Photographer: Dylan Tilbury
The Tertiary Educators turned out a strong crop of dramas for 2010. Fairytales gone wrong was the common theme of BEDTIME STORIES and BLUE PONIES AND WHITE SKIES. CHASING RABBITS had high production values and strong performances as did the noir-ish BOXED IN.
Perhaps the youngest talent on show last night was in the film CRASH made under the auspices of the Filmbites School. The disaster of teenage binge drinking was put under the spotlight in the 15 minute drama.
Screen Events Manager Liz Sideris was happy with the solid turn out and encouraged the audience to use the brand new SMS voting system.
Fans of television's SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE will be familiar with the technology. If you've never voted to keep someone in The BIG BROTHER House or for your favourite AUSTRALIAN IDOL, now you have a chance to exercise your texting thumbs in the cause of Western Australian filmmaking. Each film has a unique code that you can type into your Blackberry, iPhone, Nokia etc and send to our dedicated voting line 0412 055 255. And yep, we have the technology to lodge one vote from one phone.
Seen in the first night crowd were Annabelle Fouchard, Stuart MacKenzie, Wade Savage, Miranda Edmonson, Geoff Miethe, Johnny Ma, Darian Bradara, Julia Ngeow, Shaun Lee-Chen, Zak Hilditch, Antony Webb, Central TAFE's Ross Mccallum and RTR General Manager Graeme Watson among others.
Image: (L-R) Eliza Kavanagh, Sophia McGuckin, Jeremy Rogers, Jacqui Daniels, Georgina Carr, Judith Carr, Sophie Kesteven, Daniel Robinson, Gabe Ayres and Ry Martin. Photographer: Dylan Tilbury
Come on down tonight with the family and enjoy the fruits of the Nick Shorts Initiative. Six WA animated shorts that will run before Hayao Miyazaki's PONYO.
See you there.
Phil Jeng Kane
Editor, Monitor Magazine
