Click the icon below to see a three minute promotional movie which contains a brief showcase of some of the students' work in progress:

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Background
In November 2004 local secondary school media and drama teachers were approached by the Bayside City Council’s Cultural Development Department to see if they were interested in participating in the Youth Documentary Project. The aim of this project was to have professional filmmakers deliver a series of film development and production workshops to Year 9, 10 & 11 students. The students would be required to work in teams of four, to develop a five minute documentary exploring a topic or issue of choice. The completed films will be screened throughout the 2005 Bayside Film Festival.

The workshops began in February 2005 and will conclude at the end of May 2005. Each school will receive a minimum of seven workshops presented, in most cases, over a double class period. The media and drama teachers are present throughout each workshop and provide the vital follow up work between each session.The following schools and youth groups are involved in the Youth Documentary Project:

Brighton Grammar School
Cheltenham Secondary College
Firbank Grammar School
Mentone Grammar
Sandringham College - Beaumaris and Highett campuses
FREEZA Youth Group
Bayside City Council Youth Advisory Committee (YAG)

Course Content
The students were introduced to documentary through workshops that took them through the complete production process, from examining styles of documentary right through to the editorial role. The course topics covered were:

1. What is documentary?
An introductory exploration of the styles and techniques used in telling a documentary story.

2. Where do I take my ideas?
This is a practical session that considers methods for developing a
concept.

3. Formalising my idea - Do I need a script?
This session explored the processes we might consider when structuring a film.

4. Planning the shoot
The workshop takes a journey into pre-production, focusing on the use of storyboards and preparing for the shoot.

5. Shooting
The basics of digital cinematography are discussed through practical exercises.

6. The Art of Editing
How do we bring it all together? The session explores the essential elements of editing.

7. Editing intensive
This last session is awarded to the most developed project from each school and youth group. A professional editor will work closely with the awarded student film crew to assist with the final edit of the film.

Facilitators
The facilitator team for the Youth Documentary Program was a talented mix of filmmakers and educators. With a broad combined experience, ranging from producing and professional crewing through to university and high school teaching, the facilitators were: Don Linke, Colleen Hughson, Opie Sayner-Hassell, Nick McInerney, Nick Fernandez and Michael Rowe.
For more information: > Facilitators Biographies

Youth Documentary Awards

The culmination of more than four months work will be recognised when Brian Nankervis hosts the Youth Documentary Awards. The most accomplished student filmmakers will be awarded for their outstanding efforts. Bayside City Council would like to thank the following awards sponsors:

1st Prize
This film focuses on a subject that is obviously a major issue, but is also particularly relevant in the Bayside area, where depression and suicide in young people has some disturbing statistics. This film was awarded first prize for its pursuit of appropriate and informed interviewees and subject matter, and a commitment to filmmaking that goes well beyond the boundaries of the school. At the same time, the filmmakers managed to provide a personal aspect to this serious issue, weaving in the life experiences of a recovered sufferer of teen depression, a feat often failed by more experienced documentary makers. Overall, the judging panel was moved to confer this award on the team behind this excellent film, mostly for its subtle and delicate treatment of a serious and difficult topic, which was accompanied by excellent technical skills and good production values.

1st Prize is a three-day workshop on film production for each of the four-crew members from Open Channel plus $100 to cover attendance costs.

2nd Prize
This was awarded to the film, which showed a gutsy and determined effort to address an issue, which resonates strongly for many young people in the community, but also takes a solid approach to investigative documentary forms. It very cleverly manages to inform its audience about the value of events that raise awareness of illnesses, at the same time it uses a number of filmmaking techniques to make its point in an entertaining manner. This film stood out to the judges, particularly for its bravery in questioning the systems, which govern the behaviour of young people in the community. In a sense, this is documentary in its highest form, that is, creating opportunity for real social change.

2nd Prize is $300 from Coca–Cola Amatil (Vic)

3rd Prize
This was awarded to the film with very high production qualities. There is a thorough and rigorous approach to filmmaking techniques present, which makes the documentary a highly informative and yet very entertaining piece to watch. The commitment that it took to make this film, with its many traveling hours to and from location, also shows an extremely admirable dedication to filmmaking by the prizewinners.

3rd Prize is $120 from the Telstra Shop, Bentleigh and a two-hour script workshop from The Writers’ Resource.

Director's Award
This award is in special recognition of a film that has all the hallmarks of a professionally finished film. It should stand out as creative and inventive in its approach to the craft. It is a recognition strongly guided by the festival directors, with the support of the judging panel.

The Director’s Prize will be supplied by Foreshore Film Festivals, the creative body behind the Bayside Film Festival, who will provide directorial mentorship on the next project undertaken by the team.

Community Spirit Award
This award is in recognition of a project that tries to tackle a specific and difficult issue, focusing on matters that strongly affect the local community.

The Achievement Awards were in recognition of achievement at class level and youth participation.

Sponsorship
The Bayside City Council acknowledges that the delivery of the film production workshops were made possible due to the generosity of the 2005 Bayside Film Festival sponsors, particularly Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd (Vic). This ensured that the pilot project could be run without any costs to the schools or youth groups. The Youth Documentary Project is a significant achievement with more than 40 workshops delivered to 200 students during a four month period.

Youth Documentaries Program
The Youth Documentaries will be screened during the following sessions. Please check this web site regularly as information will be posted once the students have completed their films.

Future Youth Documentary Projects

It is intended that screening and awarding of Youth Documentaries will be an ongoing aspect of future Bayside Film Festivals. It is hoped that the program will be extended to include secondary school students well beyond this municipality. The intention is for Youth Documentaries to become a competition among secondary students as they vie for selection in future Bayside Film Festivals and compete for the top prizes.

Further Information
If you would like further information on the Youth Documentary Project please call Anna Monea at: amonea@bayside.vic.gov.au

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