Film Studies - Oscars Night

Date: Thursday 26 June 2008

In true Hollywood tradition, St Edmund's this evening celebrated the achievements of this year's Upper Sixth Film Studies group by showing the films that they created and then by awarding 'oscars' for leading actors, actresses, film editors, and the like.

Much credit for the popularity of the subject, and the concept of a presentation evening must go to the two young ladies who teach Film Studies to A-level, Mrs Melanie Robinson, and Miss Liz Sears. Mrs Robinson introduced the programme, which began with a film 'in the making' by the new Lower Sixth class featuring - of all people - Mr Knight, in his quest to track down the elusive Carl Duffy, played by Stephan Disneur.

The serious business then followed with four films being featured: Sophie Bacon's 'In The Frame', starring her brother William; Matthew Dixon and Marissa Fuller's collaboration on 'Human Traffic'; Joanna Macdonald's 'The Shade of Man', featuring her parents, and especially her father Harry - later awarded the oscar for 'best actor'; and, Sam Vile and Greg Moulsdale's 'Second Thought', starring Sophie Robertson and Robbie Vile. Robert Lye then explained his decision to produce 'film journalism' rather than a film for his coursework.

After a refreshment break, the ceremony continued, and all the class won an award of some kind, even the absent Joshua Saunders, whose oscar was accepted on his behalf by Mrs Robinson. Those invited guests had the chance to vote for their film of the year; this was, by a narrow margin, the Fuller/Dixon commentary on the sexual exploitation of women - 'Human Traffic'.

A most enjoyable evening, and a wonderful showcase for both the challenge of filmmaking and for the quality of our would be Spielbergs. Thanks for the invitation, and thanks for the chance to dress up, California style!