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Pupils off to Japan after film makes contest final
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| The Year 10 pupils from Testbourne Community School, in Whitchurch, who are through to the international final of a film-making competition run by Panasonic |
ACCOMPLISHED film-makers from a Whitchurch secondary school are through to the world finals of a major competition.
Year 10 pupils at Testbourne Community School beat 91 schools from across Europe to take home the top
prize in a competition organised by Panasonic.
They will appear in Japan in June, alongside five other schools from all over the globe, after making it through to the world finals from a field of 626 schools.
For the Panasonic Kid Witness News UK Awards, pupils filmed and edited a film "Won't Listen Can't Hear", warning of the hazards of listening to MP3 players too loudly.
The result was announced at a big awards ceremony at the UK youth parliament in Birmingham.
Peter Hallmann, the school's head of drama, said: "Our trip to Birmingham was fantastic, and, before the announcement was made, the tension increased substantially.
"We're all thrilled for the children."
Kitted out with cameras and editing equipment, the pupils received training in London, and the BBC in Bracknell gave lessons on reportage.
They then interviewed a range of people on the effects of loud music, including the Royal National Institute for the Deaf and other hearing experts, as well as interviewing passers-by in the street.
Connor Mackenzie, 15, and Ellie Grudgings, 14, will represent the school in Japan.
Ellie said: "It's amazing and still hasn't sunk in. All of us deserve to go to Japan because everyone worked really hard. In the end, we drew names from a hat. I can't wait to see Japan."
Mr Hallman said the students dedicated much of their free time to honing the final product.
He said: "The pupils spent hours at lunch times and after school putting in the work.
"This is the first time they've entered and were up against world- class competition, I think we stand as good a chance of winning as anybody."
John Aldridge, UK project director for the competition, said: "It's a phenomenal achievement. I've watched the video six or seven times and it's remarkable.
"I've been involved in this competition for 15 years and it's one of the best films I've ever seen. It's broadcast quality."
Panasonic will host the Testbourne pupils at a celebration in London in June, where they will get to meet past winners.
Later that month, Connor and Ellie will fly out to Japan and hopefully bring home the prize.
To watch the video, visit basingstokegazette.co.uk
11:15am Sunday 11th May 2008
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