Guthridge’s movie magic

Tom Parry

GUTHRIDGE Primary School have debuted their latest production in a red-carpet ceremony at Sale Cinema.

The world premiere of their feature-length film When We Got Lost in Dreamland took place on the evening of Wednesday, November 16 with the cast, crew, their families and teachers in attendance.

Director of the production and music teacher, Ellen Morabito, said it was exciting to be sharing the completed work with the school community.

This is the second time Ms Morabito has directed a film for Guthridge Primary, the first being an adaptation of Niccolo Ammaniti’s Let the Games Begin in 2021.

“I usually do stage shows as the school does, but last year due to COVID, we couldn’t have an audience so then we thought, ‘We’ll make a film’,” Ms Murabito said.

“It got towards the end of the year, and we decided to show it at the (Sale) Cinema because they were allowed to have an audience.

“And this year, the students loved last year’s film so much that they decided that that’s what they wanted to do this year.

“So we thought, ‘We’ll do it all again, make it even bigger and better and try (incorporating) a bit more technology and different ideas’.”

The ceremony began with the school’s Grade 6 students walking the red carpet as they entered Sale Cinema, being “interviewed” by Grade 6 teacher and the film’s choreographer, Ruth Hodge.

After taking their seats and being welcomed by Ms Morabito, British author Ross Welford – who wrote the novel on which the production is based – introduced the film in a pre-recorded message from his home in the United Kingdom, expressing his support for the first ever feature-length adaptation of his work.

Following Mr Welford’s warm words, the main event began.

When We Got Lost in Dreamland follows 12-year-old Malcolm (Sebastian Norwood) and his sister Claire (Finvola Dargan) as they control their dreams using a device called The Dreaminator, and the strange visions they experience in the process.

A combination of media was used to bring the film to life, including live-action video, stop-motion, computer-generated imagery, light-painting and shadow-play.

Music played an integral part in the dream sequences, with songs like ‘Sweet Disposition’ by The Temper Trap and ‘Bury It’ by Chvrches both heard in the soundtrack; a school choir also sang covers of Tones and I’s ‘Fly Away’, Twenty One Pilots’ ‘Stressed Out’ and Owl City’s ‘Fireflies’.

Following the screening, Ms Morabito concluded the occasion by hosting a mock Oscar ceremony, awarding statuettes to the pupils who starred and contributed behind-the-scenes, plus one accolade to the film itself for being “the Best Picture of 2022”.

Finally, Ms Morabito herself was honoured for her efforts by staff and students with her very own Director’s Chair.

In reflecting upon her experience as an auteur, the teacher was full of praise for her cast and crew.

“I love working with the students. I absolutely learn just as much as I think they learn from me – or I hope they learn from me!” she said.

“When I was feeling exhausted, they’d come in and say, ‘Oh, it’s going to be great today’ and it really just peps you up.

“And working with the staff members at Guthridge (Primary) as well has been really beautiful – they’ve been really helpful and supportive, and jumped straight to it whenever anything needs to be done.”

When asked by the press pack whether she’ll do another film for Guthridge Primary next year, Ms Murabito said: “I think I need to recover from this one!”

“It’s been a year and a half’s worth of work … we’ll just take a little breather, then we’ll reset and see what next year brings us,” she added.

“Might be something a little bit different – we’ll see.”

Sale Cinema was thanked for their support on the night, having given Guthridge Primary the full theatrical treatment. Much like a real movie experience, attendees were served popcorn, and viewed trailers for three upcoming, high-profile blockbusters before the film began.

The venue will be screening When We Got Lost in Dreamland again this week, with other schools from Sale, Maffra and Heyfield being treated to a viewing tomorrow, (November 23) from 11.30am.

A final showing of the film will take place in Sale on Wednesday, November 30 from 6pm, before heading to Yarram in December, where it will be playing at The Regent Theatre.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Guthridge Primary School on 5144 3633.