Media Release: Aberdeen twins’ movie shortlisted in national competition

TWINS, Hugo and Ollie Inglis, pupils at Robert Gordon’s College, have shown their potential as playwrights, actors and producers in the creation of a three minute adaptation of a passage from Terry Pratchett’s book: ‘Nation’.

The 13 year-old boys from Aberdeen are the only Scots out of ten shortlisted entries in a competition launched by Terry Pratchett; they are one of five shortlisted entries in the 10-14 age-group.

The winning entry will be shown in cinemas across the UK and Europe.

Says a spokesperson: “The competition was launched by The Guardian newspaper to celebrate Mark Ravenhill’s staging of Terry Pratchett’s book ‘Nation’ which is being performed at the National Theatre this winter.

“Terry Pratchett invited ten–17 year-olds to adapt an extract from Nation which was provided for them and to create a short film.”

The judges – Terry Pratchett, the author of Nation; Mark Ravenhill, who has created the adaption for the National Theatre; Guardian theatre critic, Lyn Gardner; and National Theatre director. Nicholas Hytner. are currently mulling over these final five, as they make the difficult decision as to who will win, and have their films screened as part of the National Theatre Live event, to be broadcast in cinemas on January 30th 2010.

Hugo and Ollie filmed their three-minute adaptation in Aberdeen, and both play starring roles in the film.

They filmed their adaptation using a Flip video camera at Balmedie beach and in their back garden!

Hugo said: “We love making films so when we found out about the competition we got straight into planning our version.

“We knew that Balmedie beach would be ideal, although it was very cold! We then used the shed in our back garden, but filmed it so that it looked like it was the inside of the boat.”

Ollie said: “We can’t believe that we might actually see our film in the cinema. We have definitely won a trip to London to see Nation in the National Theatre so we’re looking forward to that as we are big Terry Pratchett fans, but to see our film in the cinema would be brilliant.”

Head of college, Hugh Ouston, said: “At Gordon’s, we celebrate our pupils success in academia, music, sport and the arts.

“It was fantastic to be able to congratulate Hugo and Ollie on their success in this competition and we wish them all the best in the final. Their film shows great creativity and they are clearly very excited about the results later this week.”

ENDS

Media contact:

Gayle Veitch, Robert Gordon’s College, 01224 646346, 07852 132724 g.veitch@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk

Notes for editors: Photo opportunities are available by arrangement with Gayle Veitch.

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Contact: Gayle Veitch
Phone: 01224 646346
Email: g.veitch@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk
Website: http://www.rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk