AUSTRALIAN actor Myles Pollard will lead Bunbury students in creating a film which will be screened at Cinefest Oz Film Festival this August.
The program is funded by an $85,000 grant received by Murdoch University from the South West Development Commission Royalties for Region grant scheme.
Murdoch University screen production chair John McMullan said the funding would allow Manea Senior College to pilot the Creative Arts Initiative and work with some of the industries brightest minds.
“The film-based project gives high school students the chance to participate in the filmmaking process, gaining skills and experience alongside industry professionals and Murdoch University students,” Mr McMullan said.
Mr Pollard will direct the film and lead workshops in scriptwriting, acting, auditioning and filming.
“These realisations will be huge for them going forward and hopefully inspire them to do future study, hopefully in creative arts,” Mr Pollard said.
“The project creates future pillars for an entire industry.”
Producer Brad Major said they had chosen a theme that would appeal to students and encourage their imagination.
“The premise behind this year’s film is any student who misbehaves is sent to the mysterious room known as 2.22. There they find a mad scientist who lobotomises students so they are turned into the perfect teenager,” Mr Major said.
If the 2015 pilot program is successful, Murdoch will seek further funding so the project can be extended to other schools in the south west region in future years.
The CAI project is also planned to be the core of a new Screen Graduate program being offered at Murdoch in 2016.
