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Cameron Duncan

Cameron Duncan . “Softball is the game of life to me.”. Biography. DOB April 1986 DOD November 2003

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Cameron Duncan

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  1. Cameron Duncan “Softball is the game of life to me.”

  2. Biography • DOB April 1986 • DOD November 2003 • Born to parents Sharon and Rhys Duncan, Cameron’s two twin passions were softball and filmmaking. His early home made films featured predominantly war stories, featuring his friends at the park and explosions created from household chemicals.

  3. Getting into film Early awards • As he entered his adolescence, Cameron began taking part in the annual ‘Fair Go ad awards’. He won in 1999 (aged 13) and was a finalist once more in 2000. His winning ad on organ donation was sponsored by Peter Jackson, and his advert was screened on national television. • Winner of ‘Fair Go ad awards’ in 1999 • Finalist once more in 2000 Winning ad

  4. Insight and Illness • Cameron had dreamed of becoming a professional softball player and to film as a hobby. • His dreams were shattered at 16, upon being diagnosed with an osteosarcoma (cancer) in his knee, putting him out of softball overnight. • Peter Jackson scouted Cameron to direct his own advertisement for organ donation, an offer Cameron was gracious to accept, but could not feature in because of his ill health – unknown to Jackson prior to director selection. Jackson was inspired and moved by Cameron’s perseverance through directing with illness, as well as his creativity. • After months of “painful” chemotherapy, Cameron’s cancer became a terminal illness, spreading to his lungs. He moved on to his final and very personal project, Strike Zone (2003). He combined his two loves of softball and filmmaking in a moving send off, intent on “not being forgotten”.

  5. Filmography • Organ Donor ad - Winner of ‘Fair go ad awards’ that aired (1999) (Sponsored by Peter Jackson) • Anti-smoking ad – Runner up at ‘Fair Go ad awards’ (2000) • DFK6498 (2002) • Strike Zone (2003) • Peter Jackson included Cameron’s work in his extended edition DVD of The Lord of The Rings – Return of the King as a tribute. Commonly used people: • Andrew McDowell – Music • Himself as editor and protagonist

  6. Common features • Strike Zone and DFK6498 were Cameron’s only short films he had the chance to create in his short life. They both share the common filmic features of: • Voice Over • Changes in pace • Emotive music • Switches in focus

  7. Preferred themes and styles • In the short films Cameron got the chance to create before his death at 17, DFK6498 (2002) and Strike Zone (2003) are both relatively slow paced and first person to the voice over. • Both focus on the perspective of being terminally ill. • Both leave viewers feeling appreciative of their lives, despite how hard they may regard them.

  8. Significance / Contribution to Society • Peter Jackson was one of many who hailed Cameron Duncan as New Zealand’s next big director. His work was mature well beyond his years and he had a successful future ahead of him. Jackson showed his immense respect and sense of loss for Cameron when delivering a eulogy at Cameron’s funeral, by composing an Oscar winning song in his honour (played during the credits of LOTR – Return of the King) and featuring Cameron’s work in an extended edition of the ‘Return of the King’ DVD. • Many up and coming filmmakers and directors are encouraged by Peter Jackson’s successand Cameron Duncan’s promising future in his youth to pursue careers in the NZ film industry and to make it internationally.

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