WATCH: Baylin NS pupils film a courthouse drama

Baylin National School in Athlone finished the school year with the usual blend of school tours, sports days and an end of year 6th class Mass. However, this year, they also added a movie premiere to the busy schedule!

A mix of pupils from 4th, 5th and 6th classes took part in a movie production project, where they were involved in all aspects of the film-making process from costume design and script supervision to camera work and directing.

The film, called Reports from the Courts, is a television news broadcast, reporting on Goldilocks going on trial for breaking into the Three Bears’ house.

The journalists received unprecedented access to the trial, reporting on the testimony of many of the witnesses, as well as the cross examination from both defence and prosecuting Senior Counsels.

The film will be entered in the Fís film project for primary schools where schools from all over the country submit films across a wide variety of subjects, under a number of different categories. Chosen competition finalists will have the opportunity to see their film at an awards ceremony next Spring.

According to project leader and teacher, Declan Finn: "The pupils were very enthusiastic from the beginning. We rehearsed, produced and designed either at lunch time or after school. The pupils worked very hard on all aspects of the process, which included learning lines because they had to act in the film as well!

"As with any primary school, we have pupils with a wide variety of talents and interests and this was a great way for the pupils to release or indeed realise their creative side as well as learn a little about the film-making process."

The majority of the film was shot in Mullingar courthouse and the Courts Service was very supportive of the film project from the beginning.

"They were extremely friendly and welcoming towards the pupils and we were given our own courtroom for the day. Margaret and Derek made sure we had everything we needed and even took time to explain how a real court case might run," said Mr Finn.

The pupils were delighted to be part of something a little different at school, with one remarking on how long it took to film something which only appeared in the final film for a few seconds.

Certain students enjoyed devising parts of the story, while others were impressed by having the opportunity to film in a real courthouse.

The five-minute film can be viewed here: