Student film-makers inspire teacher
What started as out as a visual story telling hobby for teacher Baz Caitcheon soon developed into a full-time job, contracting to production houses such as Greenstone Pictures, Cream Media, TVNZ, TV3 and the BBC.
‘‘As a teacher, my high school students and I made heaps of videos. They were full of ideas and loved making videos,’’ he said.
‘‘That energy was infectious. I reckon everyone is a storyteller, some are better than others but it’s something we can all do.’’
Caitcheon will be offering his time and experience to provide some advice and tips to those making movies for the Cambridge Edition Short-Film Competition.
The competition will be held as part of the Cambridge Autumn Festival.
Caitcheon studied at the University of Waikato to complete a degree in economics and then went on to teach English, including media, at secondary school.
He said his high school students were his biggest inspiration and it prompted him to look at media and video production further as a career.
It led to a job offer, project managing TVNZ’s new media department.
‘‘That meant teaching, shooting and editing stories ourselves on small cameras and com- puters.’’
He shot, directed and produced many television series. Some of those he contributed to or was responsible for included Nurses, Maggies Garden Show, Wanted Down Under, Motorway Patrol, Choppers, Demons to Darlings, Private Investigator and Auction House to name a few.
He also directed and produced reality television shows but found that challenging to be involved with.
He’s now returned to a teaching role with his company, Bazzacam, based on Waiheke Island, and is a specialist at online video communication for online.
‘‘Now all media is ‘new media’ and I teach people how to shoot, edit and publish on and from smart devices.’’
Recently, he was contracted to run training programmes for Stuff, to teach reporters how to make news videos for online platforms, using smartphones and tablets.
This is the medium those entering the short-film competition are being asked to work in as well.
Caitcheon was an expert in smartphone video production and said he was keen to pass on his advice to Cambridge’s young filmmakers.
‘‘My advice regarding video
The Details
Short-films can be between 1-7 minutes.
Must be filmed around Cambridge, using smartphone or tablet.
The judges focus will be on script writing, acting and editing.
The short film can be edited on any software at school or home.
Films will be played during Cambridge Autumn Festival April 7-15.
Open to students only but teachers may offer help, advice.
Visit our Neighbourly.co.nz page for more information
Email: lawrence.gullery@stuff.co.nz
production, is to find something you are good at, something you love and that makes your soul feel good.
‘‘Then spend all your time doing it. If you stay positive and energised, you’ll find a way to make a living from it.
‘‘Most openings into this game where you can make something of a living are side entrances. So build your video storytelling portfolio continually, build your networks.
‘‘It might mean more than any qualification you might study for.’’
Caitcheon will review each of the short-fims made for the competition and provide some written feedback to the film-makers.