to analyse all forms of media including advertising, much of which we take for granted or accept passively,’’ he says. “Media studies looks at how meaning is created. It may seem to some to be an easy subject, but in fact, there is plenty of rigour at the top level.’’ Last year the boys made their own movies, he says. “We chose this because most boys have seen plenty of films and bring a lot of knowledge of them to class,’’ says Mr Hewson. “However, the real challenge was to
deconstruct the movies we studied so they learnt to be more critical - to understand the messages and how the movie had been put together. They then went on to use this in their own work. “They were not just studying, but actually producing something,’’ he says. “They were challenged to make a film and then to show the results at the College Film Festival at the end of the year. Believe me, it can be quite nerve-wracking to sit and watch the film you have spent ages working on actually being viewed by an audience.
“Boys had to learn the skills of organisation and time management, how to deal with adults, equipment, locations, to write the content, manage the acting and to produce and film the movie. A huge amount goes into making a film and it can be a steep learning curve.” “However it gave the boys a real buzz, a sense of pride and, as a teacher, it sure gave me the same feeling to have helped the boys achieve their goals.”
Christ’s College and St Margaret’s film Connected runner-up at awards in Melbourne
category – animation, music video, documentary and fiction. Amazir says the theme of the film is the impact technology is having on our lives and what can happen when it threatens to take over. He and Meghan Laing from St Margaret’s wrote the screenplay for the film, which took about a year and a half to produce. “I learned it takes a huge number of people and so much time to create a film,’’ he says. “We used the art and
drama department for props and wardrobe. We also had to practise using camera gear, and sound and recording devices. Filming took place in the holidays in a number of different locations – it was very full on. “By the time the production ended, I was over it, but when I sawwe had made it to the finals, I could step back and appreciate the film for what it was. I was stoked to be a finalist because there were so many entries and I felt really proud of what we had done.’’ While Amazir is interested in film- making, his main passion, however, is for photography. He would like to break into the fashion photography industry, so in 2016, he is heading to Auckland to pursue this dream. “I seem to be the only person I know not going to university or straight into a job,’’ he says. “But this is a chance to do what I really want to, to give it my all and see where I end up. It’s a bit scary, but I am really excited to have the opportunity to followmy passion.’’
The Christ’s College and St Margaret’s College film, Connected , was runner-up at the 2015 ATOMAwards in Melbourne in October. Director, Amazir Aknine and producer, Mr Peter Hewson, attended the awards ceremony and were thrilled by the result. ATOM (Australian Teachers of Media) president, Peter Tapp, said it was a remarkable achievement even to have reached the final, considering there were hundreds of films submitted and only four finalists were chosen in each
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College Issue 30 2016
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