Cornish skateboarding documentary makes film comp podium

A student filmmaker from Cornwall College is in the limelight after being recognised in a regional film competition.

Seventeen-year-old Ethan Menear from St Austell, saw his short film ‘Teenage Wasteland’ place top three in the documentary category of the 2020 South West Filmathon, a celebration of work created by filmmakers from around the region organised by Devon and Cornwall Film.

Ethan, who progressed from Penrice Academy to study the Level 3 Media Production Diploma with the College’s Creative & Digital Academy, described having his film recognised as “a huge honour”.

“I saw the other documentaries that were shortlisted and I was truly humbled to be alongside such fantastic and inspiring films,” he continued.

“Knowing the competition I was up against, I was over the moon with how far it had gone.”

Teenage Wasteland is about viewing skateboarding from an entirely new perspective that people do not usually associate with it.

“The film features my good friend Luke and shows how skateboarding has changed his life for the better,” Ethan explained.

“I wanted to challenge society’s perception of skaters and skate culture and show that that first appearances don’t always expose everything about a person.”

The Media Diploma that Ethan studies is part of The Creative & Digital Academy (TCDA) at Cornwall College St Austell. TCDA is a new industry-aligned learning environment offering a range of courses including performing arts, dance, acting, music, creative & commercial photography, business, media & film, I.T, games & animation and art & design.

Ethan described the “best part” about studying at the Creative & Digital Academy as “the freedom that we are given as creatives”.

“We are given the brief and we basically take it from there,” he continued.

“The whos, whats, wheres and whys are up to us, which is a huge advantage. It really is a great way to learn, as you make your mistakes in the first few attempts and then you have to adapt and figure out a personal method to do it the best way you can.”

Jessica Leonard, Curriculum Area Manager for the Creative & Digital Academy at Cornwall College, said she was “beyond excited” about Ethan’s Filmathon achievements.

“We’re so proud of his eagerness to contribute to the industry and his bravery in sharing his work,” she explained.

“Ethan’s placing serves as affirmation of his incredible talent at shooting and editing film. So much goes into creating a piece of work like this and Ethan has taken the skills he’s learnt with us and combined them with an energy of his own to produce a profound and quietly powerful piece of work.”

Jessica said she was looking forward to seeing Ethan’s skills develop as he moves into his second year.

“We’ve already told him we’re going to really push him to move beyond the already brilliant level he’s working,” she added.

The Cornwall College Group has a new, highly experienced leadership team, which is focussed on quality outcomes and experiences for learners across its campuses.

The Creative & Digital Academy at Cornwall College St Austell offers a range of courses including performing arts, dance, acting, music, business, creative and commercial photography, I.T, media & film, games & animation and art & design.

For more information visit www.cornwall.ac.uk or search @thecreativeacademystaustell on Instagram.