AV News 174 - November 2008
At one stage I did not think we would receive any entries in the 16 to 24 year
old section but eventually six did arrive. My biggest disappointment was the
lack of entries from all the schools and colleges who had downloaded PTE
and planned to take part. We were able to award the prize for the school with
the largest number of entries but I had hoped that there would be more
support from colleges and schools. There were also no entries sent in any of
the group categories. They were all individual entries, 79 in total.
I made the decision not to pre-select the entries, so that all the children's
work would be shown and each child and young adult would receive a
Certificate of Participation. Having ignited the spark of enthusiasm and
interest, I felt strongly it was very important that all the young people should
feel their contribution was valued, and as the entry numbers were low, they
should all take part.
June 2008 finally arrived. It had been a long, two year journey and I was
very anxious about how the audience would react to the entries. Would they
expect an adult-type AV competition? Or would they realise this was a very
new experience, young people given the freedom to show what they could
produce with PCs and Macs, using a much wider variety of software and
presentation methods but all using Still images with a soundtrack, the first
tentative steps in a long journey to some future polished sequences?
Only one of the young entrants, Jake Pursey, was
able to attend judging on the day and both his
entries were awarded highly commended prizes. I
hope we see lots more work in the future from all the
prize winners and also some of the other entrants
too. After the results were chosen I noted that all but
one of the prize winners had some established
previous contact with AV through a family member.
The audience did appreciate that the work was produced by children and the
warm and jovial atmosphere continued into the evening when all those
staying for the weekend shared a meal at the local pub in the village.
I must admit
that at the
end of the
first day I felt
very drained
so it was
good to relax
and hear the
audience
comments in
the evening.
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