Physical Film
12 young people from Kent were delighted to screen the premiere of their film ‘Physical Film’ at the Tunbridge Wells Odeon on Tuesday 22nd July to celebrate the end of a dance and film project led by South East Dance.
The young people, who attend the Alternative Curriculum Programme in Tunbridge Wells, had been working since February with international dancers Victoria Fox and Jake Nwogu alongside filmmaker Craig Viveiros, taking part in dance workshops and learning filmmaking skills.
The young people had full creative control over the project, taking part in all the decision-making ranging from which practitioners they would initially like to work with, to the content of the film, to the location that the filming took place. Filmmaker Craig Viveiros said: ‘To start with I was showing the young people how to use the camera, by the end of the session they were directing me!’
Their ideas are imaginative, unusual and without reservation, the theme of the short film is a showdown between modern day cowboys on the streets of London. The screening was the first time the young people had seen the final cut of the film, and what better place to debut it than on the silver screen. The young people were also encouraged to invite their family and friends to come along to see the fruits of their labour.
‘I never thought I’d be in the cinema,’ one young person commented, ‘I come here to see stuff; it looks really cool up there.’
The project has been supported by the Learning and Skills Council and is intended as a positive learning experience to encourage young people to carry on with their education when they leave school at 16. Feedback from youth workers of the young people has been very positive. Lesley Burnand, Centre Manager at ACP Tunbridge Wells said ‘I haven’t seen the young people so engaged in a project before.’
One participant said: ‘it was a real experience. I didn’t think we could have done anything like this in six months.’
Kyla Lucking, Head of Community and Learning, South East Dance explained: ‘ I’m thrilled that the young people have been able to watch their film for the first time at the Odeon, they have all worked so hard and shown a real commitment to the project.’ She went on to say, ‘I feel very strongly that projects like this should be available for vulnerable young people. South East Dance have years of experience working with such young people and know what a difference it can make to their quality of life and their relationship to their communities.’
As experts in screen dance, South East Dance have initiated and guided the project to ensure the work is of the highest quality and to gain maximum exposure for the film. The project also aims to build links with other education providers in the area so the participants can carry on their budding interest in dance and media after the project. The film they create may be distributed nationally.
Contact:
Email: Kyla Lucking, Head of Community and Learning
Tel: 01273 645267
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