By Ms Heimfeld (English Teacher)

It has been an exciting start to the term for the Film Club, which runs for Years 9 to 11 on Mondays after school. This half term, students have been developing practical filmmaking skills by drawing inspiration from key moments in cinema. So far, they have explored direct-to-camera monologues with a focus on Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and examined how Wes Anderson’s use of a static camera can create humour. This week, students have been experimenting with montage, aiming to create meaning through the juxtaposition of images.

The Sixth Form Film Club, held on Thursdays after school, has seen students watch and discuss a range of films. They began by watching Stephen Daldry’s The Hours, which follows the lives of three women, played by Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep, and explored how their stories connect across different time periods. The group discussed the concept of the Female Gaze and the importance of representing women’s stories in cinema. More recently, they have started looking at modern horror, beginning with Jordan Peele’s Get Out.

The Film Clubs aim to encourage students to engage with film and media, foster creative expression, and develop practical skills that may lead to future opportunities in the film industry. In March, students will visit Pinewood Studios for a day of hands-on experience with film equipment, industry talks and an opportunity to see how movies are made.

We look forward to seeing how the clubs continue to evolve throughout the year.