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DRAMA, FILM AND MEDIA
100 Documentaries
Aimed primarily at the Lower School, this club watches
and discusses recent and topical TV documentaries.
No one particular genre of documentary is favoured but
rather a wide variety – historical, cultural, geographical,
economic and natural history. The aim is to raise
awareness of the world around us.
Abingdon Film Unit
The Abingdon Film Unit was formed in 2003. Since then
its members have produced over 110 short films, a
number of which have won awards and been screened
at the National Film Theatre in London, throughout the
UK and at festivals in France, Sweden, USA and Hong
Kong. The Unit enables students to make their own
films under the guidance of industry professionals.
Please note: membership is offered to boys in Third
Year and above after a process of applications and
interviews that take place during the Summer term
for entry in September.
Once accepted, students become members of the Film
Unit for the whole year. Films are researched and
planned in the Michaelmas term; shooting begins any
time from October onwards; editing occupies much of
the Lent and Summer terms. The finished films are
screened in September or October of the following year.
Members of the Unit can also be invited to make films
for others, whether within the school or the wider
community. They can also undertake special film
projects abroad. AFU members have made films
in Cambodia, Moldova, China and Hong Kong,
for example.
Trips may also be organised to cinemas, exhibitions
or film studios.
Amey Theatre Technical Crew
Members gain experience of all aspects of technical
theatre from the design stages to implementation. They
are regularly involved in the preparation and running of
drama productions, concerts, school events and
external hires. Wednesday afternoons are put aside for
the main bulk of the work but due to the large number
of events, much of the work happens on other
afternoons, evenings and weekends and therefore
a high level of commitment is required.
Digital Photography
Investigates aspects of digital SLR photography,
including: technical settings (aperture, ISO, etc.) and
the effect they have; technique (e.g. lighting, focus
effects); post-processing on a computer. A test camera
is available but students get the most out of the activity
if they are able to bring and use their own DSLRs.
Middle School Drama Production
Pupils in the Third Year have the opportunity of an
annual play that rehearses in the Michaelmas term
and is usually performed in the Amey Theatre in early
December. Details and auditions are usually announced
in September.
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