( DOP Brian McFall with Megan Howard and Stephanie Macdonald)
The much
awaited release of the St Anne’s College feature film has finally arrived. Life’s Easy will premiere at a red
carpet Gala Evening followed by two public viewings.
Shooting
a film was a ground-breaking approach to the school’s 2011 Major Production and
makes St Anne’s College a notable pioneer within the school arena for the move
beyond theatre to expanding the girls’ experience within the film industry.
This is no small feat considering that almost every element of the film was an
in-house endeavour in a manner that has been dubbed “gorilla film-making,”
meaning there was no budget except for a nominal amount designated for
equipment hire.
Essentially,
the staff and girls who committed themselves to the film have done so out of
love and enthusiasm for this unique performance project. Girls who enter the
performance industry need to be versatile and able to inject their skills no
matter the direction taken. This production has been invaluable to those
involved in that regard in preparation for tertiary study and/or a career in
the arts.
The
school commissioned Andrew Ness to write the script in February 2010 with the
instruction that they wanted it to convey meaning; that the script had to speak
to its audience; namely, a generation of teenage girls. The finished product
finds three major issues facing teenage girls attributed to and personified by the
three main characters, each played by Grade 10 girls. The characters end up
having to overcome any differences they may have in order to work together.
Ultimately, it becomes clear that there is a connection between them and they
support each other. It sends a very positive message and conveys clearly the
importance of building lasting relationships.
While
the film was shot on location in and around St Anne’s, it is not about St
Anne’s College. Rather, it portrays the many challenges pertaining to young
people in society, and raises questions in terms of how young people experience
the pressures of their context.
Life’s Easy is produced and directed by Lynn Chemaly for
St Anne’s College with Brian McFall as Director of Photography and features original
music by Dawn Selby and Richard Guinness. It features Julia Armstrong
as well as Naledi Majola, Liese Kuhn, George Niven, Moira Filmer and Andrew Gilfilla and promises to be entertaining and insightful and showcases the talents
of the girls and the beautiful surrounds of the school.
Public
viewings take place on October 16 and 17 at 19h30 at The Theatre-St Anne’s
College in Hilton. Tickets R50 (R30 concessions) booked on 033 343 6100. More
information at www.stannes.co.za
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