University of Wales Trinity Saint David Students Shortlisted for Ffresh Festival Awards

08.02.2011

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is delighted that 9 of it students have been recognised by the industry judges for Ffresh, the Moving Image Festival of Wales.

Established in 2002, Ffresh celebrates the best work being created by the up-and-coming moving image talent from around the world through a programme of screenings, panel sessions, masterclasses and workshops, which are open to all members of the general public and students throughout the UK.

Trevor Harris Programme Co-ordinator for Media Production in the School of Art, Film and Media says:

“With finalists in 4 categories – Fiction postgraduate, Fiction undergraduate, Interactive Media and Games and Welsh language, we have done remarkably well. For the sixth year running we have finalists in the Interactive Media and Games category, and overall we are third in terms of nominees, well ahead of much larger universities in Wales.

“We are extremely proud of our students work and are delighted to see their qualities being recognised by the industry judges in competitions in Wales. Our students continue to produce outstanding work with a commitment to innovation, storytelling and entertainment whilst bridging theory and practice for contemporary audiences. We wish them well at the Ffresh Awards Show, held at the ATRiuM, University of Glamorgan, in Cardiff on 11 February.”

Benjamin Scarsbrook has been shortlisted in the Fiction Post Graduate category. Release is about a man is plagued by an unmovable figure constantly demanding that he kills him. According to the judges “this had a bold use of black and white and played with the medium in terms of jumping from one character or location to another in order to convey a state of mind.”

Natalie Williams has also been shortlisted in the same category for Upgrade, a film about young man unhappy with his monotonous life. One day he apparently discovers he’s a robot. What are his two best friends to think when he requests an upgrade? The judges describes it as “an original idea and clearly had a message about the expectations young men put upon themselves. The relationship between the three characters was touching and sensitively handled.”

In the Fiction Undergraduate category Kirsty Davies film Isabella deals with a young girl who struggles with writing and other areas of her learning. As she grow up she faces many challenges with this and coming to terms with her dyslexia.

And Luke Adams’ A Life in a Day tells the story of a man who awakes on what seems like a normal day, but who knows how it will pan out…

In the Games & Interactive Media category, David Makings’ Virtual Degree Lampeter 2010 is a light hearted production incorporating both academic and personal challenges in the quest for the elusive qualification. According to the judges “this is a great concept by Dave in which you are able to interact with different areas of the University in order to obtain points towards a ‘virtual degree’. The concept encourages interaction for fun, a very engaging way to disseminate information.”

Matthew Knowles’ Virtual Tour of the Lampeter Campus incorporates a guided video tour of the Main Library and links between panoramic locations created using an innovative ‘wheelchair cam’. Acknowledging the unique visual and technical approach taken in the work, the judges describe Matt’s approach as forgoing “the segmented overview of a typical virtual tour for a more immersive experience. In an original approach we are taken on a journey through the university with fantastic transition videos between locations.”

And Matthew Mensley’s futureMan vs. Cereal Killer. Episode 1 – Back from the future is a film about the elusive villain, The Cereal Killer, is back from the future, once again dispatching his victims utilising common brands of breakfast cereals. Can our intrepid hero futureMan save the day! “A highly original idea brought to life with some great humour. There is a strong theme running throughout with excellent use of video and virtual interactivity, which support the narrative,” according to the judges.

And for the first time, 3 Welsh language films have also reached the short list. Ar Goll (Lost\) by Owain Dafydd is a documentary examining the culture and change in a small Welsh town. It questions the town’s identity as a Welsh speaking community and aims to give an honest picture of a decaying town, which has potential but isn’t reaping its own benefits.

According to the judges “this is a non-narrative film that uses poetry and imagery to take us on a journey through Carmarthenshire and Wales. The directing was gripping and the work very interesting conceptually. Excellent use of sound track, which created a sensual symphony to coincide with the images. Very, very good.”

Another film by Owain Dafydd, Orange, Martini, Vienna has been described as “the most ambitious of all the films received” by the judges. It tells the tale of three schools friends, meeting up in December 1980 after their first term in separate universities, only to find that the dynamic of their group has changed. A secret is revealed that dictates the course of the night’s events. The film is an examination of friendship, peer pressure, and insecurities.

“A period drama, following the trials and tribulations of three friends and their families. There was definite ambition in the directing, in the shooting and lighting, and some of the scenes inside the car were wonderfully realised. The characters’ journey was gripping from the start, and there were elements of the ‘DOGMA’ style of Vintenberg, Moodysonn and Von Trier in the long, seamless shots. The ‘stunt’ displayed an ingenuity and originality which showed an understanding of the medium...”

And TB: Du a Gwyn by Lowri Fflur Daives is a documentary that shows the impact of TB in cattle and badgers in south-west Wales, with particular focus on the area earmarked for a pilot badger cull in north Pembrokeshire. The documentary reflects the TB situation in that area in May 2010. “Good journalism and the programme’s intentions were made clear at the outset. This was sustained, as was one’s attention and interest. A very accomplished programme.”

“We are extremely proud of our students work and are delighted to see their qualities being recognised by the industry judges in competitions in Wales. It is especially pleasing to see second year students such as Luke, David and Matthew being highlighted in this way. Our students continue to produce outstanding work with a commitment to innovation, storytelling and entertainment whilst bridging theory and practice for contemporary audiences. We wish them well at the Ffresh Awards Show, held at the ATRiuM, University of Glamorgan, in Cardiff on 11 February,” adds Trevor Harris.

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