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Leeds Beckett filmmaking student scoops Royal Television Society award
Adam Marseille won the Factual category award for Juiced, which he produced and directed during his first year in the Northern Film School at Leeds Beckett alongside editor Fraser Heanue. Both are currently second year students on the BA (Hons) Filmmaking degree programme. Juiced will now progress to the national RTS Student Awards.
The award was presented to Assistant Director, Joel Raine, at a ceremony held at Sheffield United Football Club on Wednesday 22 February while Adam is studying abroad in New York for his second year.
Adam said: “It's fantastic that we won the RTS award. The whole team can feel proud of the achievement, so congratulations to all involved. It was a team effort, and everybody played their part. It's a shame I couldn't be there to soak up the occasion so, in that respect, the significance of the achievement has not had a chance to sink in. I'll certainly be around for the nationals. Fingers crossed we can go all the way, but I imagine the competition will be formidable. It's amazing to be there on the back of a first year production. I never would have imagined such a thing a year ago after completing the first semester of a three-year degree. Hopefully this will serve as an inspiration to all future first years.”
Juiced is a 12-minute film about a man named Kurt and his use of anabolic steroids.
Adam explained: “The film is about steroids, but really it's about obsession, delusion and vanity. Steroids is just the front. The real star of the show is Kurt. I found Kurt while I was on holiday in Thailand in January, 2016. As I spent more time with him, I realised how much of a performer he was, but it was when he openly started talking about taking steroids, without a care in the world, that I realised I was going to make a film about him. He was perfect.
“In essence Juiced is a journey, a dark journey. A dark journey of the human experience wrapped up within the tabooed world of steroids. It's the world of NON-competitive steroid use, and therefore Kurt is a rather normal-looking guy. It will come as a surprise for many viewers to discover just how rampant steroid use is in British society.
“We try to look at why and get to the bottom of it. We discovered that Kurt was driven by some very dark, impulsive parts of the human psyche - vanity, obsession, addiction, delusion, insecurity, jealousy, violence, etc. Kurt's candidness makes it compelling viewing.
“It seems that Juiced is quite polarising. When we presented the film at the end of the year, many people suggested we needed to cut the ending so that it ends on a high. I absolutely disagreed at the time, and still do today. This is because I feel that had we followed that advice it would be more of a cheap thrills experience devoid of any purpose. It wouldn't mean anything without the ending. So, I think we can feel a little vindicated in sticking to our guns. Sometimes the rules need to be broken, and you need to go against the grain to get the desired result.”
Kurt: a still from the film 'Juiced'
Originally from Huddersfield, Adam has travelled extensively and lived in South America for two years before starting at Leeds Beckett. Working on a film project in Rio is where he got the taste for filmmaking and the inspiration to go to Film School.
Speaking about finding out the news that he had won, Adam said: “I was in New York at the time and, because of the time difference (it was about 2pm for me), I was in a Pro Tools session at the time of the awards, and was being kept up-to-date by the Juiced representatives at the awards. Not in real time, but via Whatsapp messages every few minutes or so. I have to admit that I was quite distracted, and I didn't actually do any work in the entire session. I explained to the lecturer, but he understood as he is an Emmy Award-winning sound designer - Ira Spiegel - so he knows what it's all about. Ira's pretty awesome actually; from lending me his own personal equipment to offering critical advice. That's one of the fantastic things about spending a year over here in New York: meeting people, making contacts and furthering horizons, etc.”
Andrew Fryer, Dean of the School of Film, Music and Performing Arts, commented: “I am delighted that Adam, Fraser and the team have been recognised by the RTS for excellence in documentary filmmaking for their film Juiced and particularly pleased that this award is for a film made during their first year at the Northern Film School. Half of the nominations in the factual category this year were from the Northern Film School and I would also like to congratulate fellow nominees Matteo, Camilo and team for their documentary 'Man on Bike'.”
Speaking about Juiced, the jury said the film got right to the heart of the subject and was something they could easily see on television. They felt the piece had very strong storytelling and that the interviewing skills were masterful in way that can’t be taught.
Man On Bike, directed by Matteo Palmas and produced by Camilo Angelo Verastegui, both second year BA (Hons) Filmmaking students at Leeds Beckett, was also shortlisted in the Factual category and received a special screening of their film at the ceremony alongside all other shortlisted films.
Adam added: “I'm pleased that Juiced won, but I do have mixed feelings as I am disappointed for the Man On Bike crew. They did a fantastic job to take a man's story and to turn it into an absolutely stunning film like Man On Bike. It really is a fine example of film as an art-form. I've every confidence that this is just the beginning, and the guys will go on to make excellent work for years to come.”
For more information about Juiced please visit the Facebook page.
Chair of the Yorkshire Centre, Dr Fiona Thompson, said: “We are delighted with this year’s entries, both for their number and their quality. Our Drama and Factual categories had a record 31 entries between them so it was no surprise when our judges decided to nominate four films in each category instead of the usual three. There were a number of entries that judges felt would sit very well on the television right away. Our thanks go to the students, to our fantastic judges, and to Sheffield Hallam University and The University of Sheffield for sponsoring the event.”
The Royal Television Society (RTS) Yorkshire Centre’s annual Student Television Awards recognise the best in student television from across the region. This year, they were sponsored by The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, and hosted by BBC Look North presenter Amy Garcia. Prizes were given in six categories: Animation, Factual, Comedy & Entertainment, Drama, News and Short Feature.