School children from across the shire this week will get to see their own creative talents projected on to the silver screen.
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As part of the “Film By” initiative, public schools created a series of short films that are screening as part of a special gala night at the Picture Show Man Merimbula on Monday.
The schools included Bega Valley Public, Cobargo, Quaama, Merimbula, Candelo, Wolumla, Tathra and Towamba Public Schools.
There are animations, music videos, black and white productions – every school had a unique offering.
Among them was Jailhouse Rock by Year 3 pupils at BVPS, a black and white short film in the vein of Charlie Chaplin slapstick, but with a rendition of Elvis’s classic played by the pupils as the soundtrack.
Three of the pupils spoke with the Bega District News ahead of Monday night’s screening about the experience of creating a short film.
“It was pretty fun,” Mia, 9, said.
“We were dressed like prisoners – my favourite bit was when we were in ‘jail’ and pretend to be locked in, banging on the bars.”
The school provided some great scenery for the film’s theme, stone walls and walkways, and grated windows lending themselves to the “jail” setting (not that school should be thought of as a prison usually!).
Bayden, 9, who was among the young musicians playing the title track, but also acting it out on film as a member of the jail band, said he learned to play Jailhouse Rock just the week before filming.
He was joined in the “jailhouse band” by classmate Archer who said the film was a joint effort with everyone in Class 3D pitching in.
“It’s going to be awesome,” the children said of Monday’s cinema premiere.
“We’re looking forward to seeing all the other films as well.”