VCE Media 2010 This year’s VCE final films provided a wonderful insight into the hearts and minds of male teenagers, their passions, obsessions, loves and dreams — all told in 4–10 minute films. This year’s themes drew on a range of genres, but with more documentaries than previously, possibly inspired by last year’s award-winning documentary, Every Day I Dream about Sneakers, by Sam Ayre. Themes included skateboarding, cars, graffiti, sneakers, gangsters, mid-life crisis, talking dogs, failed rock stars, girlfriends, muscle builders and unrequited love. Some films touched on some very personal issues such as Daniel Iacovangelo’s, poignant exploration into the experiences of growing up with a stutter. This year, two films took out awards for Best VCE Film. Rhys Jones’ skilfully rendered animation Reunion was entirely hand painted in a process called Roto-scoping, where video footage is painted in the post production stage.
The second award for Best VCE film went to James Leone, for his beautiful romantic film, Different Perspectives. The film, shot in HD, tells the story of two
young lovers who break up after a series of misunderstandings. Comedy plays a big part in the life of the male teenager so naturally comedy featured strongly among this year’s VCE program. Charlie Mottram’s film, Pavlova, hilariously followed the antics of two dogs, Coco and Toby and their mad-capped devouring and then remaking of a pavlova. Using voiceovers for the canine stars, Charlie skilfully developed both a sense of the character and comedy. Michael Keegan’s Jeremy Durgen’s Airsports, starring his older brother Tom, featured strong acting and a very funny script which kept the audience laughing. A Real State of Chaos by Jacob Gooden followed in the footsteps of The Office, in its take-off of a real estate agent, played by Jacob’s father. And in a similar vein, Teen Spirit by Luke Henriques Gomes was a clever spoof about a rock band trying to break into the music scene. A documentary film worthy of note was Jamie Farnell’s film, The Art of Skate, a fastpaced revealing look at Melbourne’s skating scene. Other documenta52
ries included Tim Foster’s Me, Myself, My Car, Our Story and, Pat Harrison’s visual masterpiece, Graffiti. Unlike in previous years, only one of this year’s films, used music as a theme. Lower Your Eyelids to Die with the Sun by Jean Rene Vauzelle featured some brilliant acting by his father. Shot mostly at Port Melbourne beach, the film’s strength was its visual composition and camera work. Congratulations to the 2010 VCE Media class for your hard work and effort this year. Kerry Martin VCE Media Teacher
