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Spectres of the Screen

Examine changes in Australian society, values and technology through a light hearted examination of monster movies and myths. Boggle at the changes in special effects technology! Giggle at preposterous storylines! Ponder how monster movies mirror the values, culture and society of their era!

Program information

Year Levels Years 5 to 12 (clips contain supernatural themes)
Duration 50-minute facilitated Theatrette presentation, allow 30 minutes for teacher-guided gallery experience
Availability Weekdays: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm; Evenings: Monday to Thursday 5pm to 8pm; Weekends: 10am and 12pm
Minimum Numbers 5 students (day), 15 students (evening)
Maximum Numbers 120 per group
Cost $5.50 per student (day), $6.50 per student (evenings and weekends), teachers and carers free of charge
Curriculum Links Download Australian Curriculum links

Program objectives

  • Explore changing social and cultural perspectives through the deconstruction and analysis of monster movie clips.
  • Investigate the parallels between the fears of society at the time to the monsters featured in the films of the era.
  • Identify the filmic techniques, special effects and music used in the production of monster films.
  • Discover the importance and roles of the National Film and Sound Archive as a memory institution.

Additional resources

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australianscreen
The clips in this collection are accompanied by teachers’ notes created by specialist curriculum writers.

School Screen
Provides free screenings of Australian feature films, shorts and documentaries for school students and their teachers in local cinemas around Australia.

Round the Twist
Based on short stories by popular writer Paul Jennings, an eccentric sculptor and his three children move to an old lighthouse. Many bizarre things happen to the Twist family in their new home including ghosts, a green baby, cloning, a scarecrow that comes to life, and a bombardment of bird droppings.

Staines Down Drains
In a typical Yoram Gross touch, environmental messages are constantly reinforced through the stories – here, the consequences of allowing toxic waste into the drains.