Despite the challenges and restrictions presented by COVID-19, graduating students produced excellent films, taking an innovative approach to animation, split-screen story-telling and mobile-phone shooting.
“Under this year’s COVID-19 lockdown, Sydney College of the Arts’ MMI students created an innovative array of films, using wireless crews, special effects and split-screen shooting techniques to explore themes of loneliness, isolation, love, joy and hope,” said Dr Anna Broinowski, Lecturer in Screen Arts at the Sydney College of the Arts and documentary filmmaker.
The SCA Masters of Moving Image degree combines hands-on film training with contemporary screen theory to prepare industry-ready filmmakers, scholars and television and media practitioners.
MMI students used new COVID-era techniques being used across the industry – including split-screen filming, SFX, animation and fully wireless crews.
We framed the lockdown not as an obstacle, but as a creative inspiration – and it has been wonderful to see how our students have used film to build unexpected connections between Australia and the world.
The SCA Masters of Moving Image degree combines hands-on film training with contemporary screen theory to prepare industry-ready filmmakers, scholars and television and media practitioners.
MMI students used new COVID-era techniques being used across the industry – including split-screen filming, SFX, animation and fully wireless crews.
“We framed the lockdown not as an obstacle, but as a creative inspiration – and it has been wonderful to see how our students have used film to build unexpected connections between Australia and the world,” said Dr Broinowski.
“One thing often absent in the discussion about international students returning to Australia is the experience of the students themselves. Many films were made by students based in China, exploring themes of familial love, addiction, loyalty and survival under COVID-19.”
Three films were shot entirely in China about surprisingly subversive subjects including child abduction, drug addiction, and the moral challenges of being a doctor during COVID-19. Other films celebrate connection, love and joy – forming new cultural bridges between Australia and the world.
“The popularity of MMI courses has increased under COVID-19, particularly Digital Effects, Editing and Camera – with live-stream and wireless technology enabling simultaneous face-to-face and remote teaching to overseas,” said Dr Broinowski.
Under the direction of MMI lecturers who are film practitioners themselves, two MMI cohorts graduate each year, with their graduation films featured at the MMI Graduation Showcase. This event celebrates the work produced by these graduating students; with many of the films featured destined for national and international film festivals.
MMI’s new home on Camperdown campus offers state-of-the-art film and sound studios, analogue and digital production labs and a wide range of contemporary and period filming locations.
Eleven MMI graduation films will premiere at the SCA MMI Awards on December 19, with a graduation speech by former Prime Minster Kevin Rudd, and prizes awarded by a jury headed by Australian screen actor Miranda Otto and Head of the School of Literature, Art and Media, Associate Professor Ian Maxwell.
