Primary crew shoots award-winning advert
A road trip to Hamilton and some clever editing techniques have seen a team of Matamata Primary students win a Waikato advertising competition.
The task was to create a two-minute film that showed school principals from New Zealand and Australia what Waikato has to offer.
Directed by student Emily Nowell, the crew created their advertisement from start to finish, including drawing up storyboards, writing scripts, filming, audio and editing.
Their concept was a road trip through the Waikato, which saw them filming on location at the Base shopping centre, the Hamilton Zoo and Hamilton Gardens and around Matamata.
‘‘ Driving around everywhere was the best part,” said actor George Chittick.
Using a makeshift green screen and editing software, they also filmed the actors ‘‘ visiting’’ the Cambridge Camjet and the Waitomo Caves.
Teacher Alex Juma acted as producer and was allocated the task of driving and crew around.
“I gave them some technical direction but it was all their ideas,” he said.
As well as Emily and George, the team comprised camera operator Madison Swap, audio team Annalese
the
cast Temm and Don Smitstra, and actors Emma Nola, Charlotte Chittick and Jaime Granich.
Production took five weeks, with the students giving up their lunch times to complete the project.
Last week, it was announced at school assembly that they had won first prize.
Their advertisement would help to promote the New Zealand Principals’ Federation Conference to be held at Claudelands Events Centre next year.
They took home a cash prize, which would go towards new video equipment for the school, and Mr Juma shouted sushi and fizzy drink to cele brate.
The team thanks TV Central for lending them filming equipment and Baigent Motors for lending a van.