UNIVERSITY LIFE IN DOCUMENTARY FILM

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29956, 18 October 1962, Page 16

UNIVERSITY LIFE IN DOCUMENTARY FILM

When the University of Canterbury confers its first honorary degrees on October 30, the ceremony will be filmed in colour by the National Film Unit as part ot a documentary commissioned to attract staff from overseas.

This will be one of the more colourful sequences of the film, which is being designed to show the university, Christchurch, and Canterbury in both bright and bare periods. Recently the university and the city in blossom time have presented some outstanding glimpses for the film. The degree ceremony will show the pageantry of the university with the Chancellor. Vice-Chancellor, and Registrar in richly-embroidered new robes and the whole audience in formal and academic dress. Contrast

But, at the request of the university, the National Film Unit has also photographed the bare trees and frosts of winter, “the Avon bike race,” capping procession, and other events in May The university wants its film to be faithful to fact in every feature so that any potential teacher or postgraduate research student will get a true impression of the place where he may come to work

The fine new buildings already at Dam and the plans of those still to go up will be shown, but there will also be glimpses of the old buildings on the central site and some of the crowded quarters there Facilities for study and research will be shown, and with them will be scenes to show that most sports can be played on the university campus, that golf is available within a mile, that salt-water jsailing. seaside swimming, i and other recreations can be found five miles away Typical families camoing by bush and river and ski-ing within 70 miles of Christchurch will demonstrate handiness tor holidays Humdrum affairs will also be portrayed—average suburban homes, the size of rooms, sections, streets, and shops, and household apnliances in common use Schools and children will show other aspecis of family life. Purpose of Film A university teacher contemplating a transfer naturally thought first of the salary, working conditions and prosnects offered, said ’he Vice-Chancellor <Dr L L. Pownall) yesterday. but he also gave eauai consideration to the happiness and health of h’s wife and family. “We believe that the orosnect of a new university at Ham, natural scone for a lot of research in this country.

and the many advantages Of New Zealand—Christchurch in particular—as a place to live in, may more than balance some of the handicaps we suffer in recruiting,” said Dr Pownall. This would not be a “glossy” film, said Dr. Pownall. It was designed to give an h6nest impression of all facets of life in Christchurch. For that reason photography was being spread over all seasons and all sorts of conditions.

A brochure was being prepared on the factual considerations of New Zealand university life —salaries, taxation, social security and medical services, teaching conditions and research facilities, schooling, and other family requirements. This brochure would advise that copies of the film—in colour with sound—might be borrowed at centres throughout the world. The film will not be finished till next year. “The Canterbury University Council has budgeted a considerable sum for this venture because it believes the results will be worth while." said Dr. Pownall.