Hills talent heads finalist tally at Smartphone
by Maryann Callaghan
A tongue-in-cheek smartphone film of a two-year-old interviewing her father about not pulling his weight around the house , is one of the eight short films from Hills Drama School vying for a gong at the SF3 Smartphone Film Festival this month . Up against a field comprising 300 entrants from across the globe , the film “ Daddy ’ s Assessment ” by drama teacher Aaron Scully , of Castle Hill is entered in the Open section of the gala finals , while his short film Guess the Word is a finalist in the Mini category .
Six of his young students also made the final cut as well as two other Hills locals not associated with the drama
Daddy ’ s Assessment by Aaron Scully . “ Last year during lockdown I made a film called Dad for hire with my daughter . My daughter was 18-monthsold and she was interviewing me to be her dad . The film played in the SF3 online section . Since then we have made several together continuing with the same theme . In our latest film Daddy ’ s Assessment my daughter , who is now two-and-a-half years old , surprises me with a list of things I ’ m not doing around the house . She ’ s a bit of a talker , although she ’ s not really talking , it was a lot of fun to do . They ’ re all comedies .” You can view the film during the festival . For details visit sf3 . com . au school [ see break out for details ] meaning our district can lay claim to representing 10 per cent of the finals field .
The films , which must be recorded , edited and produced entirely by a smartphone or tablet , are being judged by industry professionals on Saturday , 5 November , at the Actors Centre Australia , Leichhardt , as part of the month-long Smartphone Flick Fest ( SF3 ).
Hills Drama School students entered a total of 34 films across three categories in the competition , with teacher Aaron , 44 , hoping one would have a shot at a prize he told the Independent .
“ I was surprised by so many of them being selected . I thought at least one might make it , but we had eight , so it ’ s a fantastic result ,” Aaron said .
This year ’ s entrants comprise child and adult filmmakers from Kenya and Nigeria where festival co-founder / director Angela Blake conducted extensive zoom masterclasses , as well as China , South America , Canada , Scotland , India , Mexico , Iran , USA , UK and France .
“ The kids came up with their own ideas and filmed them entirely on their own phones which is the condition of entry ,” said Aaron , who has been a drama teacher for more than 20 years before opening his own school 10 years ago .
Daddy ’ s Assessment , by Castle Hill ’ s Aaron Scully , is a finalist in the open section of the SF3 Smartphone Film |
Festival . |
“ Phone recording is much more |
better at it . |
immediate and accessible . Some kids |
“ SF3 is a great experience for the kids |
produced a film within one week . Anyone |
to be involved in the industry with actual |
has the potential to be a filmmaker with |
filmmakers , to see what ’ s going on behind |
their phone .” |
the scenes , to watch casts and crews in |
Aaron added the dramatic acting |
action .” |
process is totally different when acting |
Students aged from seven to 16 |
for a camera than acting for a theatre |
entered five films in SF3 Kids category and |
performance , making it an ideal learning |
two in the Mini film under three minutes |
experience . |
category , with Aaron ’ s making the open |
“ All these kids do drama for fun or |
and mini sections . |
serious acting experience , but you have to |
Now in its eighth year the SF3 |
keep to the idea it is fun and enjoyment . If |
competition , devised in Sydney , features |
you lose sight of why you ’ re doing it you |
$ 50,000 in prizes and a global audience . It |
won ’ t be willing to put in that extra effort . |
holds the gala finals , screenings , multiple |
If it feels right and acting is something you |
awards ceremonies , a masterclass by Red |
love and need to do , you will do so much |
Dog and Slim & I director Kriv Stenders , as |
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10 ISSUE 89 // NOVEMBER 2022 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT