Moving Image Awards - Best Film Extract

‘Every young person should be interested in that island [of film]. It's a beautiful place,' Leos Carax

Yesterday we had the enormous pleasure of attending the Moving Image Awards at the British Film Institute on London's Southbank.

One of our GCSE Film Studies students, Toby Widdows, was there as a nominee for Best TV & Film Extract. Seeing his film projected on a cinema screen at the BFI was one of my proudest moments in teaching. Seeing him win took my breath away.

Toby's Film: The Remaining One

Toby’s film extract, The Remaining One, is a striking and sophisticated piece of work. As part of his GCSE coursework, he:

• Conceived and structured an engaging opening sequence for Dystopian Science Fiction Film

• Carefully planned his shoot mapping out framing, angle and depth of field

• Directed and filmed the sequence incorporating a variety of shots and camera movements

• Controlled lighting and composition with precision to produce a stunning aesthetic

• Edited his footage with control, creativity and flair to make meaning and generate spectator response

• Composed and performed his own original piano score that reflects the mood of his sequence

The result is visually assured and emotionally restrained. It is deliberate, accomplished and cinematic. It looks and feels like a professional film.

Recognition Matters

To place Toby's achievement in context, readers should know that thousands of students across the country study Film and Media each year and a handful get nominated for awards. To have work selected for screening at the Moving Image Awards is an extraordinary achievement. Every student on that stage had produced thoughtful, crafted, committed work and the standard of films, screenplays and music videos was truly exceptional. The atmosphere was collaborative, celebratory and generous — a recognition of young people taking creative risks and approaching their work seriously.

It was an endorsement of Media and Film Studies as academic disciplines and a validation of everything we work for at Nexus Educate.

It was also well-earned recognition of the achievements of conscientious student and outstanding filmmaker, Toby Widdows.

NB: Remember that name. We have no doubt you will be seeing more of his work on the big screen in the very near future.

Craft, Not Luck

What made the yesterday especially meaningful was knowing the process behind what we all saw on the big screen:

• The drafts.

• The detailed planning.

• The technical problem-solving.

• The creative decisions.

• The patience.

• The time.

Toby's award was not accidental success. It was the result of a creative vision, disciplined craft and a great deal of hard work.

Huge congratulations to Toby from all at Nexus Educate. Leicester Square is just a short tube ride away for us, so please remember us for your first premiere!

The Remaining One by Toby Widdows

Enjoy!

Stills from 'The Remaining One' by Toby Widdows and some snaps from the day.

A special shout out to Toby's sister Daisy, another outstanding Film, English and Literature student. It was so lovely to see you again! I think when the photos were taken, you were the only one for whom it had properly sunk in!