Daniel wins entertainment award

Daniel Williams, a Year 12 student of Brisbane Water Secondary College, has received the Entertainment Student of the Year award at the 2003 Central Coast Vocational Education and Training - Youth Connections (CCVETYC) awards.

The awards ceremony was held on September 23 at the Mingara Recreation Club.

Daniel competed against TAFE students in the entertainment category.

He is undertaking the Entertainment Industry subject at BWSC Woy Woy Campus.

The teacher of Entertainment Industry, Mr John Maxwell, said that the subject is a 2 Unit UAI subject and its trialling commenced this year across NSW schools.

"We're the only Central Coast school to be trialling it at present," he said.

"It's a two-year 240-hour course with a 70-hour work placement (industry experience) requirement.

"The subject has been a great success.

"BWSC is looking to become a performing arts academy next year.

"This means more involvement in all aspects of the arts.

"We're also looking to build a sound recording studio.

"We're affiliated with NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Arts) and the Entertainment Industry subject is a grounding for and recognised by NIDA," John said.

Daniel said that Entertainment Industry encompasses a wide range of modules, including sound, lighting, stage management and front of house.

Although a two-year subject, Daniel will be completing the course-work and work-placement components of Entertainment Industry this year because of his past relevant experience.

Daniel has worked voluntarily at Woy Woy Little Theatre (WWLT) since 2001 where he has developed expertise in lighting and sound.

At the CCVETYC awards ceremony, WWLT received the Entertainment Employer of the Year award.

Daniel was also a member of the Woy Woy Campus' Tech Crew between 1999 and 2003.

Tech Crew students provided technical support for school events such as school discos.

Daniel successfully completed the Music Industry Business Skills (Certificate 2) course at Wyong TAFE this year and is planning to undertake the Music Industry - Technical Production (Certificate 3) course at Ourimbah TAFE next year.

Daniel's mother, Linda Williams, said that Daniel has had a passion for the various facets of entertainment industry production since year 8.

"He just loves it.

"Everything has been structured around it.

"He enjoys talking to professionals at WWLT and has picked up quickly what they've taught him."

Daniel made a substantial technical contribution at the Umina Beach Folk Festival, October 17 to 19, as part of Entertainment Industry work-placement requirements.

He and other BWSC Woy Woy Campus students were involved in sound equipment set up and engineering.

Substantial contributions were also made by Raani Furnell Year 11, Cameron Veacock Year 10, and Sally Beer Year 12.

Raani and Sally are Entertainment Industry students while Cameron was a member of the campus' Tech Crew.

All three students are also involved with WWLT.

Raani, who took on sales and security duties as well sound duties at the festival, is about to learn facets of sound production from Daniel at WWLT.

Cameron has developed expertise in both lighting and sound at WWLT.

Sally is presently rehearsing for WWLT's children's production, The Gingerbread Man.

Significant contributions were made at the festival by Scott and Chris Tyerman, Years 11 and 10 students respectively.

Scott is an Entertainment Industry student while Chris was a member of the Tech Crew.

Smaller contributions were made by year 11 Entertainment Industry students, James Arnold and Paul Kurpiewski.

Con Orfanos, October 30