By Luke Voogt
East Geelong’s Ruby Taylor has won big at council’s Odyssey Film Fest, with viewers from across Australia and the world watching her clip.
Ruby’s stop motion movie The Girl Who Cried Sick won best film at the annual festival, which migrated completely online due to COVID-19 this year.
“I’m just so surprised and happy that so many people could relate to it,” the 17-year-old said.
“I’ve loved films and making films since I was a kid. My dad and I used to make films with all the kids in our street – once we did a remake of The Wizard of Oz.
“At school I’ve done every single media subject possible.”
The year 11 Kardinia International Secondary College student put months of work into the two-and-a-half-minute, 2000-frame film.
Ruby spent hours a day hand-making detailed puppets, props, costumes and several different sets for the film, based on a true story of when she was a kid.
“I wanted it to be very textured and rich,” she said.
“My classmates have felt the negative effects of COVID-19 but it actually gave me a lot more time at home to build these sets.”
The film tells the “story of a little hypochondriac” who lies to her parents about being sick to get what she wants.
“Then, when she gets really, really unwell, they don’t believe her,” Ruby said.
“For a film with such a grim narrative, it’s quite comedic.”
North Geelong Secondary College’s Mitch Woods won Audience Favourite with The Crisis, while Geelong High’s James Ailey and Kardinia College’s Patrick Windle tied in this year’s special category reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic.
People from across the world checked out the festival’s films, with the majority of international viewers watching from Turkey, France and Philippines.
Details: geelongaustralia.com.au/odyssey
