Commonweal Performing Arts and The New Youth Theatre run by drama expert Rob Perrett came together last week (August 7th -11th) to offer 27 young people age 10 – 17 the chance to devise and make their own film.

The week started with team building drama workshops, dance and script building techniques. Commented Rob, “The students devised a plot, built the scenes and dialogue and then we went out and filmed it.”
Teaching assistance for the week were Ashley Elbourne and Keli Perrett both BTEC Performing Arts students at New College.

The film is about a young girl who due to family stresses runs away from home and tries to survive on the streets as best she can. She has no money so has to steal to eat, the film shows the impact on herself and people she encounters.

The film closes with a moving monologue delivered by the main character Molly, played by Ashleigh Sculley age 11. “My name is Molly and I am 12. I roam alleys and the streets, I am searching for a hole to call my home. I have a brother and a step sister but they only walk by and stare. No kindness offered from their hearts, their compassion is not there just like Mum & Dad. As I walk people look at me and all they see is the dirt, if only they could look past that and just see the hurt. My life is going by unnoticed ….I only ever talk to myself, my voice is unknown…”

Commented Ashleigh, “We devised the script after improvisation, we had no idea at the beginning of the week about what the film would be about. I think it has made me think and now when I see homeless people I will be a little more understanding about their situation.”

Commented Josie Williams, Community Arts Development Officer. “It was a fun week for young people to express themselves and work on techniques. One hundred percent of the students agreed that the project had increased their confidence and a hundred percent rated the project 7 ( scale from 1 to 10) and above for allowing themselves to express their own creativity and understanding the art form. All the skills the young people learnt are transferable skills that will put them in good stead for the work place and social interaction.”

“It was a great week and a really good experience on how professional TV stuff is made.” Lauren Staddon age 13

“It was great fun. I found it very interesting. I also made loads of new friends.” Sam Griffiths age 8

“It was an amazing week, I enjoyed all of it and I’d definitely do it again.” Eleanor Dewdney age 14

“I enjoyed having the chance to work with other people and I really enjoyed it.” Emily Longthorne age 14