This project has been supported by the NSW Mining Council with a grant of $5000 and $2500 from Upper Hunter Arts to pay for tutors and mentors.

Students have developed two scripts based on original stories written by year 11 students who took part in the ABC Heywire project.

They have chosen a story about an uncoordinated learner driver as the first project to be made.

The original story was written by Prue McDonald in year 11 and is titled Un-Carordinated.

The other script is based on a story by year 11 student Thomas Gorton about a boy growing up on a small farm in the middle of nowhere and his relationship with his elderly father.

Drama teacher and production manager Louise Rowley said the team has decided to work this script up to pitch at the Dungog Film Festival’s Oovie Student Project.

“The 21 students who are involved in the project took up filmmaking as a sport option and are from years 7 to 11,” Ms Rowley said.

“The kids have learnt so much and are taking their roles very seriously.

“They have taken on production design, costume, make-up, wardrobe, camera operators, sound and lighting.”

Local screenwriter from Gresford John O’Brien has been mentoring the students throughout the writing process andMichael Winchester visited the school recently to hold a masterclass in acting for film.

“The students worked extremely hard and learned a lot about the intricacies of setting up scenes and acting for their film,” Ms Rowley said.

“Cinematographer, Gavin Banks who worked with John O’Brien on his film Bathing Frankie will help the students develop their filmmaking skills in a masterclass in the next few weeks.”

When the Chronicle caught up with Ms Rowley and the students last week they were shooting scenes in the bedroom at a Wallarobba house where they fine-tuning their skills under the guidance of John O’Brien.

Future shooting will take place at Wallarobba, Dungog High School and in Dowling Street, Dungog, over two days in early December.