Filmmaker Christopher David returns to Millthorpe School for Who-Dunnit detective day project (From York Press)

Filmmaker Christopher David returns to Millthorpe School for Who-Dunnit detective day project

10:46am Wednesday 3rd February 2010

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AWARD-WINNING filmmaker Christopher David went back to his old York school to talk to pupils about life in the film and music industry – and became caught up in a murder mystery.

Mr David, of Flash Frame Productions, was returning to Millthorpe School more than 40 years after he left what was then called Nunthorpe School.

He said his visit coincided with a Who-Dunnit detective day project to discover the villain responsible for the demise of “Mr Black”.

Mr David said: “Dozens of clues devised by English teachers Gareth Davies and Monica Scott were spread across the school, and pupils had to use skill, reasoning and detective work to name the culprit.”

Mr David, accompanied by Dave Jackson, from local company Technical Stage Services, and masses of lighting and camera equipment, talked about cameras, lighting and special effects, and about how the pupils could use equipment, software and creativity to express moods and ideas – especially at a “murder scene”.

He said he had wanted to talk to almost 100 Year 7 pupils about the importance of everyday school learning in later life.

“Many young people sit in class and often say: ‘What’s the point – why do I need to know this?” he said.

“We used our time in the school to demonstrate lesson-by-lesson how every subject can be called upon, how every subject is relevant, and how everything we learn as young people can help us develop and grow. I’ve realised that almost everything, in every lesson throughout school life, will be useful as we grow.”

He said it had been a “pleasure” to work with the pupils. “Dave Jackson and I found them polite, positive and attentive.

“It would be great to visit again in future, and we hope we’ve helped them recognise the relevance and validity of school, of learning, and how to apply what they’ll learn in their chosen careers.”

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