"Paper Jam" and "Beautiful Life"
Each produced through UK Film Council's First Light Initiative
An example of our workshop projects
Arpeggio Films has facilitated several films through the First Light Scheme. This is a UK Film Council initiative, supported through the Lottery, that funds projects that guide a group of young people through every stage of making their own film: from ideas, to script, to filming, to editing to the premiere.
Our first project was in partnership with Kids Kabin Arts Centre. The film was made with a group of eleven and twelve year olds, and was a story about a young boy who, embarking on a work experience placement, is shoved in front of a photocopier all day. However, far from being an unpleasant experience, the boy develops a rather unhealthy obsession for the machine.
Will Benson of Kids Kabin Arts Centre says:
"Kids Kabin's work with Arpeggio Films was hugely productive and added a new dimension to our creative arts programme."
"Paper Jam" was shortlisted at the UK Film Council First Light Awards in the "Best Film" category. The film was featured on CBBC Television and received a Special Mention at the highly prestigious N.E.B Royal Television Society Awards.
The RTS reports:
"This category once again attracted a high number of entries, reflecting the wide range of drama and comedy productions produced in the region, for outlets other than TV. The judges made special mention of PAPER JAM -- a five-minute short from ARPEGGIO FILMS in which a young boy develops an obsession for a photocopying machine! The UK Film Council First Light project, shot on Mini DV, benefited from good performances from the young cast, and was well filmed and edited."
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In 2007 we were funded by First Light and Creative Partnerships to make a short soap opera with a group of students from Beacon Hill Sixth Form: an academy for students with learning difficulties.
The group devised characters, scenarios and a series of cliffhangers, designed to leave audiences on the edge of their seats! The resulting film "Beautiful Life" was premiered at the Whitley Bay Playhouse and received a nomination in the UK Film Council First Light Awards in the "Best Drama" category.
The awards were attended by Kevin Spacey and Sir Ian McKellan and hosted by Davina McCall. Beautiful Life went on to be aired on Virgin Television's Filmflex and as a short before main features at the Tyneside Cinema during March 2008.
"I felt fantastic about the film being short listed"
Matthew, Beacon Hill Student
"I liked doing something different, I liked being able to use the camera and the sound boom. I felt really proud when I found out that our film had been short listed"
Mark, Beacon Hill Student
Our creative relationship with Beacon Hill Sixth Form continues. The young people's most recent successes can be discovered by visiting the Beacon Hill Film Project at www.a-films.co.uk/bhfp
