ECU's combined talents jump off the screen
Four new films showcasing ECU's most talented young film makers and actors were the jewel in the crown between the glitz of the red carpet and the after-party celebrations at this year's WA Screen Academy Gala 'ELEMENTS'.
First published by Edith Cowan University
ECU's School of Arts and Humanities ELEMENTS Gala evening gifted guests with a spectrum of touching drama, quirky comedy and thriller action with four very different short films.
The WA Screen Academy (WASA) Gala in Leederville hosted industry and government leaders and key ECU executives. Special guests included ECU's new Vice Chancellor, Professor Clare Pollock, and the Hon. David Templeman MLA, the Minister for Culture and the Arts, enjoying his screen debut with a cameo role in one of this year's films.
Director of the WA Screen Academy, Associate Professor Cathy Henkel explained that ELEMENTS was this year's theme for the showcase of narrative films created by the 2024 graduating students from the WA Screen Academy, which also feature actors from the graduating class of WAAPA.
"The films are created in collaboration with ECU undergraduate film students, and WAAPA music composition, costume, production design and sound students, all working closely with our students and the WAAPA 3rd year actors to deliver the finished productions," Associate Professor Henkel said.
While the Gala previously featured awards, it has evolved into more of a showcase and a celebration of talent, as Associate Professor Henkel proudly notes "all the films are winners".
The evening will also show a short documentary, called "Set Ready", produced by Associate Professor Henkel - a behind the scenes look at the professional production experience the WA Screen Academy provides students as part of their learning.
"We are the only WA university who offers this unique educational experience, giving our students an edge in the industry and ensuring they are 'set-ready' when they graduate" Associate Professor Henkel said.
Diverse talent on show
"We are really proud and excited by the four films screening this year. There is an intriguing diversity of content and a professional quality of production that showcases the talent of our students and the development journey they have been on in their time at the WA Screen Academy."
For more information download the WA Screen Academy Gala 2024 ELEMENTS (PDF) digital booklet.
Showcase of films
Santa Duties takes us to Christmas Eve, as a single mother struggles with her responsibilities as Santa.
Santa Duties
Screenwriter: Antonio Avic
Producer: Robert M. Wilkinson
Director: Alana Spencer
Cinematographer: Stephanie Beckham
Sound Designer: Sheridan Neilsen
Editor: Abbie Dans
Composer: Candice Susnjar
Cast: Bridget Bourke as Amelia, Sookyung Shin as Danielle, Bexley Spencer as Lilly, Deep Sora as Ryan
Chookas is set on the opening night of a high-stakes theatre production, when two friends discover secrets and lies backstage that spill out on stage and threaten to derail their careers and the future of the company.
Chookas
Screenwriter: Gabrielle O'Keeffe
Producer: Tahlia Kelleher
Director: Nicholas Hooker
Cinematographer: Jay Sinclair
Sound Designer: Alicia Tucker and Alex Alderson
Editor: Cameron A. Clear
Composer: David Whyatt
Cast: Dinasha Perera as Brianna, Mia Fitzgerald as Hailey, Tom Bitti as Miles, Angelo Torres as Vincent, Hon. David Templeman MLA, the Minister for Culture and the Arts as The Director
Hard Drive gives us a rollercoaster ride of action as an accountant working late one night at the office gets caught up in a heist and prioritises finishing his report over escaping, leading to unexpected consequences.
Hard Drive
Screenwriter: Cameron A. Clear
Producer: Manatalah Soliman
Director: Brendan Docherty
Cinematographer: William "Billy" Neville
Sound Designer: Alex Alderson
Editor: Stephanie Beckham
Composer: Sean Bradley and William Marshall
Cast: Oliver English as Charlie, Uisce Goriss-Dazeley as Jamie, Josh Everett as Tracy, Alexandria Henderson as Dylan, Angelo Torres as Jim, Riley Warner as Security Guard, Georgia Fleay as The Girlfriend
Eat the Meat is a whirlwind of action as a drag queen and her partner are attacked at home by mind-controlled protestors wielding weaponised fast food, turning people straight and angry.
Eat the Meat
Screenwriter: Jakob Kemp
Producer: Ying Chu
Director: Jacob Kemp
Cinematographer: Juan Felipe Sarmiento
Sound Designer: Meg Vicensoni
Editor: Rodrigo Torres Badoino
Composer: Emma Crawford
Cast: Anthony Press as Jordan / Brianna Splitz / Boy Khaki, Riley Warner as Alex Darkly, Sophie Hanley as Silas (The Priest), Alexandria Henderson as Pauline (The Karen), Deep Sroa as Bill Burroughs / Chooky
Interested in studying film?
The WA Screen Academy, located on the ECU Mount Lawley campus, has cemented its reputation as one of Australia's most innovative and outstanding advanced-level education and training programs in screen production.
With the surge in screen technologies and the expanding screen production sector, there is a strong demand for people who can thoughtfully create high-quality, ethical screen stories in a range of formats in the screen industry.
The Screen Academy is a member of CILECT, the International Association of Film and Television Schools; one of only six member schools in Australia. This membership is an acknowledgment of the high quality of teaching and learning at the Academy and enables international collaboration in both production and research.
For more information visit the WA Screen Academy website or download the Advance your career behind the camera (PDF) brochure.
