Subject: 'austraLasia' # 367
WORLD PREMIERE FOR SALESIAN STUDENT FILM-MAKERS
'Every Where You Go' attracts major sponsorship.
Julian Fox
MELBOURNE: 2nd July -- Here is a story to warm your hearts! Two final year students from St. Joseph's College, a prominent Boys' Secondary College in the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne (Ferntree Gully), Australia, have succeeded in attracting major sponsorship to the tune of $100,000 to complete a one hour adventure movie featuring the life of a troubled teenage lad (Chad by name) growing up in a difficult world. The love he found in people who stood by him finally brought him through. The production is already deemed a huge success even before its premiere in Melbourne on 15th July where top media personalities (Australia) will be guests.
The real success is the ingenuity - and perhaps the unstoppability - of Peter Cole and Quinton Bloxham, the two students who sought, and gained, the support of major media enterprises to proceed with their definitely low-budget-top-product venture. This included unfettered use of $25,000 worth of movie camera equipment used in major Australian shows such as 'Frontline', the use of a studio for editing, boom mikes and monitor.
Six years ago one would not have imagined either the eventual combination of Peter and Quinton's talents, nor their extraordinary outcome. [There is many a lesson there! Salesian readers will readily recognize the 'Cagliero' factor in that remark and be prepared to explain what that might mean to both Peter and Quinton, I hope!]. The film is palpable evidence of what enterprising and committed young people can achieve, especially if they find adult support.
The College staff and administration were so impressed with what they saw happening around them - they might have had other thoughts occasionally - that they wholeheartedly supported the young film-makers with facilities and a small budget, and a certain degree of 'freedom of the city' (keys go with that!). The two students managed to obtain permits for filming in a variety of public sites including the busy Hawthorn Railway Station. And, as Peter says, "Mr. John Dixon, our College Careers Advisor, gave up half his life for six months to support us - and double in a cameo performance".
Oscars and Grammies and the like are beyond the reach of most but the rich and famous. But this is a Millenium Year, and the outstanding efforts of young Australians, young people in any nation for that matter, are entitled to be highlighted, acknowledged and, if worthy, rewarded.
For those able to be present, the Alexander Theatre at Monash University, Wellington Rd. Clayton, is the venue on 15th July, at 8.00 p.m. Intending patrons should contact Peter Cole on 9758 7994. They will join guest celebrities such as Peter Hitchener, Frankie J Holden and Elizabeth Chong. Oh, and of course there is, for every top-line film, a website. Go to http://www.everywhereyougo.8m.com
