THE SCHOLARSHIP TO PURSUE AN IDEAL
In association with the Robin Anderson Film Awards, Sydney Film School offers an annual one-year, full time scholarship to one lucky secondary school filmmaker (Years 11-12) to study in a Diploma of Screen and Media Program. The scholarship provides an outstanding opportunity for a person passionate about making films to further their studies in a practical and educational filmmaking environment.
Valued at over $14,000, the Robin Anderson Scholarship covers all tuition fees, materials and equipment. The successful candidate must be prepared to commit to full time study of a 40 weeks long course.
Last year’s scholarship winner Ben Wilson, now a Diploma student at Sydney Film School, submitted his short film ‘Idealism’ into the Robin Anderson Awards in 2008.
Then North Strathfield High School graduate with a tiny budget, Ben wrote a script, rounded up actors, found all the locations and spent a week constructing an entire cardboard bedroom.
As a true idealist he might have been guided more by ideals than by practical considerations but the result of his passion and determination turned out to be worth his effort and faith.
His film, which was made as part of Ben’s HSC was screened at the 2008 Robin Anderson Awards, won the Sydney Film School Scholarship and was accepted into last year’s Art Express - a dynamic and popular exhibition featuring a selection of outstanding student artworks developed for the art-making component of the NSW Higher School Certificate examination in Visual Arts.
‘Idealism’ screened at Art Express’ exhibitions around NSW, including the Art Gallery of NSW.
In February 2009 Ben started his one year Diploma course at the Sydney Film School where he has already directed ‘Mikey’, an exceptional character-based documentary exploring the everyday world of Mikey Horrowitz, a boy with Down Syndrome and his integration in society.
He also worked as a production designer on two Part 1 Drama productions – ‘Simone’ and ‘Wish’ and is about to pitch for his Part 2 projects (both Drama and Documentary).
“Studying at Sydney Film School has been an insightful experience,” says Ben. “You gain experience in all the new media as well as working with film. It is a great environment to learn in – it has a friendly, creative vibe and all the students know each other and work on each other’s projects. It is kind of like a family – there are always people to talk to who give you support. You meet a lot of characters at the school and I think I have met lots of people who I will develop a working relationship with after I finish the course.”
According to the definition of “idealism”, if a person is “idealistic”, they believe in high standards and goals even though these may seem impossible to achieve. They see ideas as the only reality and believe that ideals should be pursued. Ben Wilson certainly fits this definition but also proves that idealistic goals aren’t unachievable, as some might believe.
So how to be eligible to the Robin Anderson Scholarship?
1. Make the short film (max 8min) and enter it in the Robin Anderson Film Awards by 5.00 pm on Friday, 2 October 2009.
2. Have your film (documentary or drama) selected as a finalist in any senior section of the Robin Anderson Film Awards.
What then?
1. Every finalist film will be viewed by a panel of Sydney Film School staff
2. A short list of finalists will be invited to an interview with Sydney Film School staff
3. One short listed finalist will be offered the opportunity to take up the scholarship
For further information about the Robin Anderson Film Awards including the submission details and requirements please visit: http://www.robinanderson.org.au/
For further info about the Robin Anderson Scholarship email
ikeller@sydneyfilmschool.com or call us on (02) 9698 2244.
GO BACK
