4 MAY 2012

In 2011 The National Film and Sound Archive’s (NFSA), Briagolong Big Screen Film Festival trialled an exciting new short film workshop and competition; The Briagolong Fast Film Challenge. Director, Darren Randle said today: "In 2011 we trialled a Fast Film Challenge to build on the success of the previous Briagolong Short Film Awards. The results were fantastic. In 2012 we are going one step further by conducting separate workshop days for beginners and advanced film makers." ABC Open Producer and renowned short film maker, Rachael Lucas will deliver two workshops that will culminate in a short film being created and shown at the NFSA’s Big Screen Film Festival the following weekend. Budding filmmakers are encouraged to contact Darren Randle to book a place in this exciting hands-on workshop where you will get to create, edit & screen your own short film.

The NFSA’s Briagolong Big Screen Film Festival has evolved to include this focus on short film making. Guests such as Denise Roberts, (Packed to the Rafters, Razzle Dazzle), Michaela Danby (graphic compositor -Terminator Salvation & Harry Potter) and Paul Harris (Director of St Kilda Short Film Festival), have been generous in sharing their expertise and knowledge with people interested in learning more about the art of short film making.

The full program for the eighth annual Briagolong Big Screen Film Festival program, scheduled for 8- 10 June (Queen’s Birthday Weekend) 2012, will be announced shortly. Please check the Big Screen website for details: http://www.nfsa.gov.au/bigscreen/

Gordana Bacic, coordinator of the National Film and Sound Archive’s Big Screen Touring Film Festival says, "Briagolong has a unique program. It combines the showing of contemporary and archival films with activities designed to nurture budding film makers such as workshops and feature guests. The 2012 program has something for everyone. There are family films (PG), short films, a tear jerker, a thriller and even the 5 x Oscar winning silent film The Artist, all in the comforts of the Briagolong Mechanic' Institute Hall."

Big Screen Festival Programs and Fast Film Challenge information are downloadable from the Briagolong community website, www.briagolong.com.

For more information on how to register for a place in the Beginners (Saturday 2 June) or Advance (Sunday 3 June) short film making workshops, please contact Darren Randle on 0448 455 604.

For interview, photo, footage opportunities please phone Darren Randle 0448455604 or email dvrandle@vic.australis.com.au.

FREE SCHOOL SCREENINGS

Fri 8 Jun 10.00am Little Big Shots (U/C)

Fri 8 Jun 12.45pm Bran Nue Dae (PG)

GENERAL SCREENINGS

Sat 9 Jun 11.00am FAMILY SCREENING Happy Feet Two (PG)

Sat 9 Jun 1.30pm The Eye of the Storm (MA15+)

Sat 9 Jun 4.00pm Any Questions for Ben (M)

Sat 9 Jun 7.00pm Briagolong Fast Filmmaking Shorts Awards + St Kilda Shorts (U/C)

Sat 9 Jun 9.00pm Red Dog (PG)

Sun 10 Jun 10.30am The Artist (PG)

Sun 10 Jun 1.00pm South Solitary (M)

Sun 10 Jun 3.45pm Oranges and Sunshine (M)

Sun 10 Jun 7.30pm The Hunter (M)

__________________________________________________________________

Avon Street, Briagolong

Check full program for ticket prices

9:00am – 4:00pm: Fast Film Making Challenge; BEGINNERS (limited to 20 persons)

Basic Short Film Making; make a film using a camera and music.

Workshop covers:

« How to brainstorm ideas around a theme or genre

« Storyboard, create a shot list and plan a shoot

« Learn how to use your digital camera, stills camera or mobile phone including tips and techniques on framing shots

« How to utilise light, angle and motion to create an atmosphere

« Participants create a short film for the Festival

9:00am – 4:00pm: Fast Film Making Challenge; ADVANCED (limited to 10 persons)

Advanced Short Film Making; make a short documentary using sound and image

Workshop covers:

« How to pick an interesting subject with a good story and visual elements

« Write questions, get your subject talking and conduct an interview

« Create a cut away shot list, including establishment shots, close-ups and atmospheric detail

« Record an interview with good sound using your digital devise

« Tips to using your digital camera, stills camera or mobile phone including techniques for framing shots

« How to utilise light, angle and motion to create an atmosphere and convey a story

« Source archival photos for a film

« Learn an approach to editing and create an edit plan to pull all elements together

« Participants create a short documentary for the Festival and ABC Open

Fast Film Challenge participants must register prior to the day. Participation is $10 per head, teams of 3 maximum ($30), NO film making equipment will be supplied: participants must bring their own equipment to shoot film and transfer file to computer, including; cord connecting camera to PC, camera charger and card reader (if available).

All films produced will be available to Briagolong Film Festival, National Sound and Film Archive, BigScreen Touring Australian Films and ABC Open for promotional purposes, including; uploading, downloading and touring in whole or part.

To register for the Fast Film Making Challenge contact Festival Director Darren Randle on 0448455604.