CINECLUB & CINECLUB EXTRA

Introduced by Mrs Taylor in 2008, The Hills Lower School’s Cineclub started as a free after school extra-curricular club for children from Year 3 and 4 led by Miss Cerqua (a Year 3 teacher) and Mr Horsley (an enthusiastic parent).  Now, after 4 successful years and over 16 National and International film awards our Cineclub continues for Year 4 pupils with Mr Horsley and Mrs Browning.

In the autumn of 2011, Mr Horsley with the assistance of Miss Starr started a community Cineclub Extra at The Hills Lower School for pupils from local middle and upper schools aged from 9 to 17. 

Over the course of a year, Cineclub members acquire the skills of the whole film making process, from pitching ideas, scripting, storyboarding, acting, camera work, directing and editing.  Throughout the process the children are also developing and refining their team working, thinking, speaking, listening and literacy skills as well as gaining confidence in themselves as a whole.

As a part of the Cineclub Network, films are produced according to the Cineclub set of rules, known as the Cineclub Manifesto. Here this ensures that:

1. Every crew member must come up with a 50 word treatment or pitch to be discussed and voted upon by the rest of the crew.
2. Every crew member must take every production role on the film shoot.
3. Every crew member must edit a rough cut of all or part of the film.
4. Cineclub films must be no longer than 4 minutes.
5. Cineclub films must contain at least 1 shot or sequence that pays homage to a classic or contemporary film that is cited in the credits.

After producing each film, Cineclub members are invited to a termly ‘cinema style’ screening with their families and other schools, and, if they have worked really hard they also might have the opportunity to attend and experience award ceremonies.

The Hills Lower School’s Cineclub is part of Cineclub, an organisation promoting and encouraging film making in schools across the UK.  The Bedford Charity has supported our club in funding our membership to Cineclub, we are very grateful for their invaluable assistance in allowing us to continue our membership.

Apart from the kind support from The Bedford Charity, the schools Cineclub has been run without any budget or financial support of any kind.  If you can help our club develop and improve by offering funding, equipment (video cameras, computers for editing etc.)  or any other kind of support we would love to hear from you.

For more information:
If you would like to know more about The Hills Lower Schools Cineclub, The Cineclub Network, advice on how to start up your own at your school Cineclub or any offers of support please contact Mr Horsley.