The Age: VCA Cannes-Do!
Posted by savevca1 on May 15th, 2010
For all it’s flaws, Ziggy Switkowski’s Review of VCAM got at least one thing right – training based on “studio-based learning, intensive practice and performance” works.
And what better proof does the University need than the incredible achievement of the VCA Film & TV school at Cannes as discussed in The Age today (15/05/10):
Nicolette Freeman, who convenes the undergraduate film program at VCA and was officially supervising producer on both the films in Cannes, was looking justifiably proud at Screen Australia’s welcome drinks on Thursday night.
”I think it’s fantastic – but there must be something good about our assessments too, because these were the top two films on the course,” she said.
”I’m completely proud of them and very happy that they’re both here.”
The school’s students and graduates have had a remarkable showing in Cannes over the years, which she puts down to tough selection procedures and a competitive atmosphere, ”which makes them raise the bar”.
Most importantly, she said, the students write and direct their own projects. ”That’s different from AFTRS [the Australian Film, Television and Radio School], for example, where they are training as writers or directors. VCA has always been spoken of as the auteur school, by comparison.”
With Glendyn Ivins winning the Palme D’Or for a short film withCracker Bag in 2003, and Julius Avery winning a Jury Prize two years ago for Jerry Can, 16 projects by VCA students and alumni have been invited to Cannes in the past 20 years
READ THE FULL ARTICLE FROM THE AGE HERE
It’s hard to fathom why the VCAM Dean and University of Melbourne are so hell-bent on risking the quality of training VCAM FTV offers when the pay-off to students, staff, the industry and of course the economy are so obvious. Indeed even this week’s Review Report slates the idea of making VCA FTV an entirely post graduate affair (page 11) which seems ludicurous considering the success of the undergraduate program as evidenced at Cannes. Add the inaction of the Brumby Government and Federal Arts Minister Peter Garret into the mix and you have a incredibly successful arts school in trouble for no good reason.
Nevertheless reasons to celebrate throughout the SAVE VCA campaign have been less frequent than we would like – but today certainly is one.
Congratulations VCA Film & TV!
Are you a FTV student, teacher or graduate? Post your comments below.
FURTHER READING:
- Screenhub: Ex VCA Film & TV Staffer “Rages On Ruin”
- Ex Film Victoria Manager (and Ex VCA FTV Teacher) Ros Walker Dispels The University “Subsidy” of VCA Myth
- VCA FTV Grads Create $214m of Production in Victoria In Past Four Years
