The Helix Theatre
 |
Finally the big day arrived, the children from Sixth
Class in
On arrival at the Helix the girls were met by the lots
of cameras clicking and flashing. First up were Ellen O’Sullivan, Danielle
Byrne, Orla Masterson and Rachel Costello who were
interviewed by officials from the FÍS office about their film. They explained
to the interviewer how they had designed the set, made model penguins, animated
them and merged almost three thousand frames into a
animated film entitled “The Last Penguin” which tells the story of the effect
of global warming on penguins.
The class was then met by steward for the occasion Mr
Jim Enright, ICT Advisor Laoiis Education Centre, who
escorted them into the theatre where they were welcomed by lots
of friendly faces from FÍS and NCTE headquarters. Excitedly and nervously they
followed Jim up the winding stair way for the official photograph.
Lights, cameras and action were the theme of the day.
The organisers went to great trouble decorating the Helix with balloons. They gave
everybody a warm welcome and even had coffee for the teachers!
Later it was time to line up to enter the auditorium.
The atmosphere was electric as the girls entered to the tune of “We Will Rock
You”. Soon they were clapping and cheering and participating in a Mexican wave
as shouts of delight and excitement echoed around the theatre.
While waiting for formal proceeding to begin excerpts
of films from all twenty five finalists were shown on a big screen. The Master
of Ceremonies for the Awards was Mr Aonghus McNally
of television fame who was welcomed on stage at
A special message of congratulations from the Minister
for Education and Science, Ms Mary Hanafin was
televised in the theatre. The Minister is currently in
Aonghus McNally began by telling the audience that over one
hundred primary schools from throughout the country had participated in the
2007 FÍS film festival and had created one hundred and fifty films. He
explained that the twenty-five finalists in the Helix would each receive an
outstanding achievement award for a specific category of film-making. Three
films were nominated for each category. The audience applauded and cheered as
the nominees for each category were called out. When the award winner was
announced for each category two students went on stage to be presented with
their award by Mr Jerome Morrissey (Director NCTE) and Ms Anne White (National
Coordinator for Interactive Software in the Curriculum NCTE).
“The Last Penguin” was nominated in four categories; Outstanding
achievement in music,
Outstanding achievement in original story telling, Outstanding achievement in Animation
and Outstanding achievement in nature. The children from
Elated and proud the children form