Young filmmakers receive training from Digital Works
On 21 March 2017, our lead partner Digital Works led a workshop with 16 Barrow Hill School students on documentary film-making, thus kickstarting the Saving Samuel Godley outreach sessions.
Two facilitators ran a 2-day crash course in practical film-making and conducting interviews. Following a very systematic step-by-step run-down of the film-making process, 16 children from the Y5 classes were taught about types of equipment, how to use every tool and feature, how to adapt one’s technique to a specific space. The 2nd day was jam-packed as the children prepared to interview adults supporting the project, including Councillor Robert Rigby, headteacher David Tomlinson, and Father Jeremy Tayler, Curate of St Johns Wood Church. They practiced writing open (rather than closed) questions, and commented on the importance of posture, demeanour and tone of voice. Questions like “How can I show that I’m listening?” were met by insightful answers. The facilitators favoured a relaxed approach, making theoretical lessons like principles for composing a shot and the rule of thirds easy to digest. The day ended at the St John’s Wood Burial Ground to film interviews around the fallen gravestone. In groups of 4, the children shared responsibility of directing, filming, and producing a successful interview in a supportive and non-competitive way. Their questions were inquisitive and creative, but the resounding enquiry was the same:
“Why should we save Samuel Godley?”
Many thanks to our interviewees and hosts: David Tomlinson (Headteacher), Fr Anders Berquist (Vicar), Peter Daniel (Education Officer), Harvey Gould, Councillor Robert Rigby (Regents Park Ward),Fr Jeremy Tayler (Vicar), Garry Wise (WCC Parks and Waste), and Thea Rogerson (Saving Samuel Godley volunteer).
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