Film Review: Local Short Films at North Devon Showreal
Still from Me and My Dog by Dorothy McCormack
Yesterday was the opening of the very first North Devon Showreal; an exhibition of short films made by talented North Devon film makers of all ages.
Spawned from an idea by Jason Parker of Rhythm Media and supported by the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon the showcase of short films runs all week until 7 July 2012 upstairs at the Museum.
At yesterday's opening the makers of the selected films gathered to share the stories behind their work. Additionally local film maker Nigel Worth delivered a great presentation on changing times in home movie making.
Eight films have been selected from those submitted to the exhibition. Six of the short films are playing all week upstairs in the gallery but two were selected for showing yesterday only in the fabulous North Devon Movie Bus outside on the square.
The range of themes were as diverse as the methods of film making in the selected short movies. It was great to see traditional hand drawn animation in Sam Downie's charming The Lousy Pirate being shown alongside Joe Eastley's impressive special effects in the action packed (and slightly gory) Nerf Battle: Future Warfare (one of two films from the under 16 category and shown yesterday in the movie bus).
One of my favourite films was the thought provoking Childhood made by young film maker Kiya Major. This film is a touching study of childhood now and in the past. Kiya used an effective technique of time lapse visuals of a trio of techno-addict kids overdubbed with the musings of an older woman telling how different her childhood was and how she and her sisters would play for hours in the fresh air. In his introduction to the showcase, Julian Vayne from North Devon Museum, said it was interesting to compare Childhood with twelve year old Dorothy McCormack's Me and My Dog. Dorothy's film is a visually beautiful day at the beach from sunrise to sunset in the company of her faithful dog. With natural sound, atmospheric music and no dialogue this film brings home the value of traditional playing out.
Another film played in the Movie Bus was Matt Biggs' Rooftops, Chimney Pots and Seagulls. A stunningly beautiful natural history drama centred around a year in the life of a family of seagulls in Bideford. The visual quality of this film was amazing and it was wonderful to share the experience in the mobile cinema with other local film fans.
Creativity and skill was demonstrated in all the films regardless of genre or the age of their makers. It was inspiring to see the talent on show and the attention to technical detail especially when it came to sound and editing.
North Devon Showcase is set to return and will hopefully continue well into the future so pop in to the museum and watch these films, be inspired and come back with your own short films next year.
Amanda McCormack 1/7/12
Spawned from an idea by Jason Parker of Rhythm Media and supported by the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon the showcase of short films runs all week until 7 July 2012 upstairs at the Museum.
At yesterday's opening the makers of the selected films gathered to share the stories behind their work. Additionally local film maker Nigel Worth delivered a great presentation on changing times in home movie making.
Eight films have been selected from those submitted to the exhibition. Six of the short films are playing all week upstairs in the gallery but two were selected for showing yesterday only in the fabulous North Devon Movie Bus outside on the square.
The range of themes were as diverse as the methods of film making in the selected short movies. It was great to see traditional hand drawn animation in Sam Downie's charming The Lousy Pirate being shown alongside Joe Eastley's impressive special effects in the action packed (and slightly gory) Nerf Battle: Future Warfare (one of two films from the under 16 category and shown yesterday in the movie bus).
One of my favourite films was the thought provoking Childhood made by young film maker Kiya Major. This film is a touching study of childhood now and in the past. Kiya used an effective technique of time lapse visuals of a trio of techno-addict kids overdubbed with the musings of an older woman telling how different her childhood was and how she and her sisters would play for hours in the fresh air. In his introduction to the showcase, Julian Vayne from North Devon Museum, said it was interesting to compare Childhood with twelve year old Dorothy McCormack's Me and My Dog. Dorothy's film is a visually beautiful day at the beach from sunrise to sunset in the company of her faithful dog. With natural sound, atmospheric music and no dialogue this film brings home the value of traditional playing out.
Another film played in the Movie Bus was Matt Biggs' Rooftops, Chimney Pots and Seagulls. A stunningly beautiful natural history drama centred around a year in the life of a family of seagulls in Bideford. The visual quality of this film was amazing and it was wonderful to share the experience in the mobile cinema with other local film fans.
Creativity and skill was demonstrated in all the films regardless of genre or the age of their makers. It was inspiring to see the talent on show and the attention to technical detail especially when it came to sound and editing.
North Devon Showcase is set to return and will hopefully continue well into the future so pop in to the museum and watch these films, be inspired and come back with your own short films next year.
Amanda McCormack 1/7/12
