Big Screen Schools Program

[Bob Percival]

I have recently taken up the position as Education Programs Coordinator in the Australian Film Commission’s Industry & Cultural Development division here in Sydney.

I would like to introduce myself and make a connection with English teachers hoping that the AFC Education Program might assist in supporting teachers in the study of film.

One initiative which is already underway is the Big Screen Schools Program that provides free school screenings for students K-12 in isolated regional areas (http://bigscreen.afc.gov.au/).

This year the schools program will feature a selection of some of the best graduation films from students of the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS). AFTRS has recently classified the films specifically for Big Screen to cater for high school students studying English, media and communications in years 10, 11 and 12.

The schools program also features special screenings of Australian classics for primary school children. These screenings are free, and include films such as Dot and the Kangaroo, The Magic Pudding, Hildegarde and the newly restored Storm Boy.

Schools are consulted on films they would prefer shown and after the final programming has been chosen schools are sent booking forms which are processed by the local cinema.

Big Screen will soon be coming to Broken Hill on 6-7 April. I would be very pleased to hear any suggestions or comments in regards to the program.
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[Darcy Moore]

We envisaged that this bulletin board would be used for such initiatives. Thanks for posting, Bob.

I will alert our 'Branches' (regional) person re: the site and program.

[Julie Wilson]

Thanks for the information Bob. You mention Broken Hill - do you have any other places on your itinerary yet or are you waiting for people to contact you ?
I will pass on your info. to our country Branches.

[Bob Percival]

Hi Julie

Big Screen will travel though Silverton, Tibooburra, Menindee, ivanhoe, Wicannia and White Cliffs during 15 - 22 April (schools holidays) with a special students screening in Tibooburra on the 15 April in the afternoon at the local Albert Hall. Big Screen, with its Schools Program of free screenings for students, will also be in Nambucca Heads and Bowraville in August, and Wagga Wagga, Gunnedah and Inverell in October/November. Final dates will be locked in soon.

We welcome any suggestions from teachers on Autralian films they would like to view especially those that relate directly to curriculum being taught this year. The Big Screen website [http://bigscreen.afc.gov.au/] also lists additional links for each film highlighting related resources, including study guides.

Thanks for your interest and support and I hope we can get as many students as possible to the free screenings this year. The program cannot be successful without the support of all those teachers actively engaged in film education.

[Bob Percival]

Hi

This a general inquiry to teachers in regards to recommendation of films that could be shown as part of the Big Screen free school screenings. It would be very helpful to receive feedback as to what Australian films (including features, shorts, documentaries and animation) would be most relevant to NSW curriculum and English outcomes.

thanks for any suggestions

Bob
Education Programs Coordinator

[http://bigscreen.afc.gov.au/education.aspxl]

[Mark H]

Hi Bob

Yr 10 and Yr 11 students find Beneath Clouds thought provoking. Oddly enough, a Year 7 class taught by a colleague have enjoyed Phar Lap this term. Radio National recently had a retrospective on Storm Boy, which got me thinking about having another look at it, particularly for the cinematography (haven't seen it since 1978). Yolgnu Boy, Rabbit proof Fence, Harvey Crumpet, Gallipoli, Muriels Wedding, Kangaroos Faces In the Mob, Rats in the Rank, Year of the Dogs, The Year My Voice Broke, Flirting...these are a few that have worked for me or people I know. I also want to use Jammin in the Middle E, recently seen on SBS with a class.

Hope these help

[bbadmin]

Australian Rules works too.

[Bob Percival]

Thanks Mark (and admin) for the film suggestions.

Big Screen has not screened Kangaroos Faces In the Mob, Rats in the Rank and Year of the Dogs so that is very helpful. Other people have also suggested Lionheart: The Jesse Martin Story (especially those in the outback!)

Which brings me back to another question: if it is not possible to organise a screening in a regional cinema, are schools interested in having in-school screenings, and if they are, is there any way that AFC Education Schools Program can help? We are very likely to be able to provide a DVD copy and permission to screen at no cost. Is this any benefit to the school or would they be able to do that anyway?

Any suggestions or comments are most welcome

Bob

[Bob Percival]

Hi,

Thought it would be helpful to post this media release in regards to offering free Australian film screenings to all achools in regional Australia

cheers
Bob

Australian Film Commission’s Schools Screening Program
BOOK NOW TO SEE GREAT AUSTRALIAN FILMS FREE

Are you a high school or primary school teacher in a regional area who would love to have free cinema screenings of Australian films for your students? You can now book online!
The Australian Film Commission (AFC), through its Industry & Cultural Development program, offers school students the opportunity to view and discuss contemporary and classic features, shorts and documentaries in local communities throughout regional Australia.
To book for these film screenings, teachers can now access a quick and easy online booking system on the Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) website: www.metromagazine.com.au/metro/
The screenings take place during school hours at local cinemas and the films screened are programmed in consultation with the local area schools.
Secondary schools can access such brilliant films as Australian Rules (M), The Big Steal (M), Lantana (MA), Gallipoli (M), Hating Alison Ashley (PG), Newsfront (PG), The Tracker (M), and Picnic at Hanging Rock (PG).
Primary schools can draw on the rich diversity of Australian films, including Storm Boy (G), No Worries (G), Hildegarde (G), Dot and the Kangaroo (G), The Magic Pudding (G), and short films from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS) such as the 2004 Academy Award® nominated animation Birthday Boy (G).
Book online now for free school screenings. If your school is not able to access any screenings on offer, you can contact the AFC’s Education Programs Coordinator, Bob Percival, to discuss organising a screening in your local cinema or a free screening at your school if there is no cinema nearby.

For more information please contact Bob Percival at robert.percival@afc.gov.au, or book online at www.metromagazine.com.au/metro