Making your own film is easy. Just come up with a great idea and go for it. That’s the advice from Ipswich-born filmmaker Connor Fairclough, who’s on the judging panel of this year’s Ipswich Film Festival for Youth.
He says that the improvements in smartphone cameras have made film making more accessible than ever.
“A lot of young people tell me that they don’t have the best equipment,” Connor said.
“But your phone can shoot in broadcast quality. It’s not about having the best camera or editing software.”
Connor started playing around with filmmaking when he was in grade 8, making movies in his spare time.
“I was making silly videos with friends and family and I just kept going from there,” he said.
“I was really interested in the movie-making process. So as soon as I finished watching a movie, I’d be on YouTube looking at the behind the scenes videos from it.”
A few years ago, Connor- then 19- wrote, directed and produced his first feature film, Head Above Water, which was inspired by pro surfer Mick Fanning’s close escape from a shark attack in South Africa, and the media storm that followed.
He sold Head Above Water to the Nine Network and Stan.
Last year, Connor received funding from Screen Queensland to make a horror/comedy short film, which was screened at the acclaimed South by Southwest Festival in Austin.
He’s currently producing stand up specials with Australian comedians, including Lewis Spears, Luke Kidgell and Isaac Butterfield.
“I love watching somebody watch something I’ve made and laugh,” Connor said.
“That’s the best feeling.”
Whether it’s a comedy or a thriller, Connor says that when it comes to making films, the story trumps everything.
“If you focus on a strong story, it doesn’t matter if it’s the best visually, or how high-tech your equipment is,” Connor said.
The theme for this year’s Ipswich Film Festival for Youth competition is ‘Future- What is Possible‘.
Connor said he is excited to see what the next wave of young Ipswich filmmakers come up with.
The judging panel will be assessing entries based on storytelling, use of the theme, editing and audio and visual effects.
Prizes will be awarded to the best 1-3 minute films from each age group: 7-11 years, 12-17 years and 18-25 years.
To find out more about the Ipswich Film Festival for Youth and how to enter, click here.
TIPS AND TRICKS
- When filming outdoors, shoot with the sunlight behind you.
- To get creative with your scenes, mix up the angles and level that you film from.
- Experiment with your camera settings instead of relying on automatic settings.
- Be careful when filming in noisy locations, such as near busy roads, as this may make it hard to hear the dialogue.
- Keep your camera steady and if possible use a tripod to avoid shaky video.
Age Group Categories
7 – 11 Years
Best Picture (age overall winner)
Share It (social media format – phone video recordings in portrait or landscape)
Single Shot (60 seconds non-stop)
Silent Film (black and white with no audio)
12 – 17 Years
Best Picture (age overall winner)
Documentary (storytelling)
Sci-Fi
School Entry (school groups only)
18 – 25 Years
