Graduate wins Kodak FilmSchool Cinematography Competition

Media Release

17 February 2012

New Zealand Film & Television School graduate wins Kodak FilmSchool Cinematography Competition

Paul Jackson, a New Zealand Film & Television School graduate was presented with the New Zealand Kodak FilmSchool Cinematography Competition award at the Film School on 17 February 2012.

The film, “The Devil’s Door to Heaven”, shot by Paul Jackson closely edged out, “Friends By the Water”, another FilmSchool film, shot by Gene Warriner.

Paul Jackson won the prize late last year but was unable to collect the award until now as he has been busy working in the lighting department on “The Hobbit”.

Grant Campbell from Kodak said it was one of the best lit student productions he'd ever seen and that it was done so well that they had to come back to The Film School to check that it had been shot on film. “Everything about the film was superb – the story, performances and of course the way it was shot - the award was very well deserved.”

The film 'The Devil's Door to Heaven' was also nominated for the Best Student Film award in the Show Me Shorts Film Festival.

Sashi Meanger, Executive Director of the New Zealand Film & Television School presented the award to Paul Jackson at the Film School Panasonic Theatre and also congratulated John Reid, Producer, and members of Crew 20.

The Film School’s head tutor, John Reid, believes the competition win is a gratifying example of what can be achieved in a 40-week course. “It’s a reflection of the emphasis the New Zealand Film and Television School places on film”, he says.

The annual Kodak competition is part of the world Student Filmmaker Programme and is designed to encourage outstanding young filmmakers who specialise in cinematography.

The Film School specialises in teaching on film and with film. It is the only industry-run film school in New Zealand. The Film School provides an environment where committed individuals can develop their creative, technical and business skills in order to participate in, and contribute to, a viable film and production industry in New Zealand.

Sashi Meanger said, “We welcome dedicated and passionate students who are the future of the film industry in New Zealand. We train storytellers to create a blueprint; potential directors to translate it into visual language; future technicians to realise the story and prospective producers to turn it into reality.”

ENDS