Draft 2 PhD Introduction - ResearchSpace@Auckland

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subject. The end-of-year examination was conducted by specialist lecturers from the
different disciplines in the school – painting, print-making, graphic design and
sculpture. However, in Freeth’s opinion, because the other lecturers were not
conversant with the film students’ projects, “it became a bit of hit and miss whether you
would pass”. He also points out that, “because you’re out doing a lot by yourself,
without this formal tuition, you weren’t very sure whether you were hitting the
mark”. 315 In Ward’s case, some of the members of the examining committee did not
accept that A State of Siege was in a sufficiently complete form to fulfil the
requirements of the examination. Maurice Askew defended Ward but he had difficulty
persuading the other examiners to accept that the work, although incomplete, showed
sufficient promise to justify Ward being awarded a pass mark. Considering that A State
of Siege was later judged by critics internationally as a work of genius, the half-hearted
response by examiners is fascinating evidence of the fact that art schools were still only
at an early stage of coming to terms with the new medium of film. 316
After completing A State of Siege, Ward began work on his next film, In Spring One
Plants Alone, for his DipFA (Honours). Although Askew had been supportive in
persuading the other examiners to allow him to pass the previous year, the relationship
between teacher and student became increasingly strained. Ward had an altercation
with Askew which led to the compromise solution of his being allowed to take leave
from Ilam to work on his film. Ward describes the incident in Edge of the Earth:
I’d been given leave to go up north, after accidentally putting my foot through
my lecturer’s office ceiling. He was showered with plaster and old film as he sat
below enjoying a furtive snack at his desk. I imagine he identified the
protruding member by its size (big feet are in fact a family trait) and I’m sure he
decided then and there that the sooner he got rid of me the better. He hauled me
in and, stressing the first two words, said ‘Go away, make your film’. I was
happy to oblige. 317
315
Lynette Read, interview with Murray Freeth, 25 January 1999.
316
Years later, Ilam was eager to claim Ward as a distinguished graduate. In fact, he was almost not
allowed to graduate.
317 Ward, Edge of the Earth: Stories and Images from the Antipodes 5.