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A GREAT NIGHT AT THE IVEAGH FOR SRC


On the back of the Oscars media students from the Southern Regional College Banbridge Campus showcased their talent at the annual Film Festival on Tuesday 4th March where a series of original short movies were premiered on ‘The Big Screen’.
The annual SRC Film Festival and partnership between the local Cinema in Banbridge, Iveagh Movie Studios. The Film Festival began at 6.30 pm.
Lecturer in Media, Chris Hobson explained: “Over the past few years Giles and the Iveagh Staff have leant us their full support for the project and given the students something spectacular to aim at. This has in turn had a dramatic impact on the quality of the films and throws down the gauntlet for our current first year class. The event was a success with a wealth of talent showcased.
In securing this partnership, the students have worked really hard to produce 7 original movies and have worked closely with their tutors Chris Hobson, Alan Cunningham, Kathryn Wright and Media Technician Jim McCrum. This project has been a tremendous example not just of community partnership, but of media team work.”
Project tutor Chris Hobson detailed the significance of the project to the students’ learning experience. “Using the College’s digital production facilities, the second year students have to design, script, shoot and edit an original movie from their chosen genre.
“In past years, we have had comedy, horror, gangster, thriller, animation and alternative cinema. As part of their assessment requirements, the students have to present and screen their films to a ‘live’ audience. After each screening, the audience completes a short questionnaire and this forms an integral part of the evaluation process.
Before each film is shown, the student team who produced it will make a short presentation to the audience, briefly outlining the plot of the movie.
Richard Davidson, an 18-year-old Media student from Tandragee was responsible for the first film shown on the night called Jungle Fire.
Three United States soldiers, based in Vietnam are protecting a river from their enemy. There are many gun battles throughout the film and the fantastic use of effects make it even more thrilling.
As well as showing what life on the front line at war is like, the film also deals with issues such as the physical and mental aspect of being at war, and shows how many people who return home from war cannot cope with the drastic change back to civilian life, and many of them take their own lives.
The actual filming was completed within the beautiful surroundings of Gosford Forest Park near Markethill, and also Clare Glen, situated near Tandragee.
Mark Hewitt from Lurgan and Colin Gough from Portadown were the creators of the animation/documentary Jonathan Jones- The Legacy.
Mark commented, “Our film cut between an animation and a documentary about a fictional character called Jonathan Jones.”
Colin continues, “It was mainly filmed on our college campus and we used the readily available animation software for the animated parts.
“We were really worried about the sound quality but it turned out alright on the night.
“If we were to repeat this film we would both make consistent use of the great equipment which is there for us to use.”
17-year-old Kay Edwards from Portadown created the film ‘Girls Nite Out- How to get a guy in ten ways.’
Kay comments, “This is the first time I have produced a comedy and I feel that it turned out a great success.
“The Coach Inn staff were very helpful and allowed us to film the whole thing with very short notice in their premises.”
What you thought was going to be a chick flick suddenly morphed into a hilarious comedy, which involved some of the manliest students in the college applying lipstick and putting tights over their hairy legs.
“The use of males playing female characters added a great touch,” said Kay.
Other films screened on the night include Jenna Foster’s music video style film, which was based around The Killers called Midnight Show.
Niall Rooney’s’ production- Offloading also proved successful with the locations which he used and the various effects he applied to the film.
Jamie McBroom entertained the audience with his murder/mystery/comedy production. The main character in Jamie’s film begins to see ghosts, so on so forth and the tale finishes with the main character being murdered with a grizzly twist.
Adam Clydesdales hilarious spoof of Rob Reiners Stand By Me was well appreciated by the onlookers. Sean Donnelly gave an interesting and humorous performance as ‘The Minstrel’ with his guitar playing and dancing.
Adam said, “I was very pleased with the final outcome and it seemed to me that the audience were well pleased with it also.
“We would really like to thank the management of the Iveagh Movie Studios in particular Giles Conlon for its support in helping us develop digital film production in the Southern Regional College. The Film Festival has now firmly established itself as a major event in the annual College calendar.” said Mr Hobson.


Story by James Carragher
news@banbridgechronicle.com