The film by Luke Woolhead
Pepe the Polar Bear – Film Cuts Club
The film by Mia Baker
Collecting from the Young Writers’ Camp 2017
The elves are at work on the Young Writers’ Camp Collection 2017, with seven stories and dozens of characters jostling for position behind the scenes.
But here is a sneak peak from day 3, when we explored the hills of Crowden with our Peak Park Rangers Jo and Alex – finishing up with this quirky Compass Poem. Enjoy!
20 Stories High kick off the Young Writers’ Camp
For young people age 13+ the Young Writers’ Camp had a special introductory masterclass with the award-winning theatre company 20 Stories High.
In the afternoon masterclass the contemporary theatre company from Liverpool, came to Hadfield to show how to transform thoughts and ideas into writing that’s “gritty, jumping, melodic, mashed-up, messed-up, booming, funny and heart-felt…”
We contacted 20 Stories after a group from the Music Arts Pod last year went to see their show The Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective at Contact Theatre. The group from Buxton Community School were blown away by the performance which was moving, funny, entertaining and full of relatable situations. The teachers from the school came away saying “every young person should see that show” as it touched on so many issues they come across in their pupils.
So nearly a year later, 12 young people from our Tall Tales, Music Arts Pod and Film Cuts Club project came together to find a new focus in writing. Keith Saha, one of the Artistic Directors at 20 Stories lead activities which included group poetry, visualisations and character development.
Then two of the young actors from the company performed a monologue called ‘Black’ from the 20 Stories High 2016 show ‘Headz’. The piece was just as moving as the Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective, despite being performed in the corner of Hadfield Youth Club with no lighting or staging. We were all completely transported into the young lives of the characters who meet when a young black family move into a close-knit white community in Liverpool.
And afterwards a question and answer session allowed the audience first to question the characters about what had happened to them, and then the actors about how they had co-developed the work with Keith and how they were able to ‘become’ their characters so effectively.
A big thankyou to Keith and everyone at 20 Stories High – and we would really like to develop more work with you in the future!
Breaking News! On 11th October 2017 we will be working in partnerships with Glossopdale Community College to host a public performance of their 2017 version of Headz, which will include 3 new monologues from the exquisitely drawn characters of 20 Stories High’s world! Watch this space for more info.
FCC – Latest!
FILM CUTS CLUB: THE NEXT CUT…
High Peak Community Arts Film Cuts Club is back for a new season!
The Club is now launching some new projects following its successful showcase event on Saturday February 11th 2017. It was a full house with participants and their families and friends coming to see the cinematic masterpieces that the young people had created. Films included ‘Pepe the Polar Bear’ – a stark warning to the human race about the effects of global warming, and ‘Future Crime 20’ – a film about the attack of cyborgs on planet earth.
Funded by Children in Need, the Film Cuts Club is run by Mark and Ben Turton, both professional film makers.
“The great thing about film is that there are a lot of different skills that you can learn. Film has so many different elements that people can people can fit into. With the Film Cuts Club, seeing the development of young people, at points, has been quite mind-blowing.” (Mark Turton)
“It’s amazing what the young people do at the Club…their ideas and their creativity. I like the interpretation of their own ideas. They are fantastic at working independently but also giving each other so much support at the same time. The Club has a really positive, friendly, social atmosphere.” (Liz, Film Cuts Club Support W
orker)
The Film Cuts Club meets most Saturdays at Hadfield Youth Club from 11am-3pm.
If you know any young person who might be interested in joining the club, we would love to hear from you. For more information, please contact Sophie on 01663 744516 or email.
Film Night 2017!
Never mind Hollywood…the High Peak is now the official centre for film!
On Saturday February 11th 2017, over 50 people gathered at Hadfield Youth Club, popcorn and excitement abounding, to see – for the first time ever – the completed films of the inspiring young people involved in the Film Cuts Club. A range of films were shown which included “Pepe the Polar Bear”, with its stark warning to the human race about global warming, “Future Crime 20” about the attack of cyborgs on planet Earth, and “Alone” – the story of people on a space mission attacked by an alien life form.
The range skills on show was fantastic! The young people involved in the club had clearly learnt lots about script writing, acting, camera skills, modelling, set design and editing whilst making and producing the films. The films are not only a physical display of the new skills the young people have learnt, but they are also evidence of how much team work, camaraderie, friendship, mutual support and encouragement has been fostered between the young people in this Club. Somebody once said that “Great Art takes away fear.” There was no fear evident at the film launch. Just plenty of positivity and a whole heap of fun!
The next season of the Film Cuts Club starts again on Saturday March 11th 2017 at Hadfield Youth Club, 11am-3pm.
If you know someone who might be interested in being part of the Film Cuts Club, please contact Sophie at sophie@highpeakarts.org or on 01663 744516.
We are very grateful for BBC Children In Need for their generous support of this project.
Watch a small snippet of one of the films here:
Merry Christmas from everyone at HPCA
And a special warm Merry Christmas from the folks of the Film Cuts Club – where do they find so much good cheer??
Please enjoy their video and brace yourselves for everything that 2017 has to throw at us!
Film Cuts Club gives thanks to BBC Children in Need!
The Hadfield film making club is launching once again after receiving another three years support from BBC Children in Need!
Our filmmakers Mark and Benn Turton and youth worker Leanne Cole will be running the Saturday sessions each term and we are welcoming new starters who are keen to explore the world of film. Sessions are aimed at young people with additional needs and their friends and family – or anyone who thinks being creative and working in a team could benefit them.
Young Writers’ Camp
Our first Young Writers’ Camp to brought together all lovers of ideas, stories and words, with 23 young people joining four days of creation.
Designed for all our participants on youth projects, including: Tall Tales in Gamesley and Fairfield; Film Cuts Club in Hadfield; Music Arts Pod in schools.
It wasn’t about pens and paper – it was about ideas, stories and lyrics!
Click here to download the PDF book.
At the end of the fourth day the Collection became ‘Creative Commons’ and anyone is free to use, adapt, change and give ideas a new life when they return to the real world.
And here are the filmed stories to watch: