the scottish screen industries magazine april - may 2009

“Diversity Films is a great place,
not just to make films but to
socialise with people you have
never met. It also gives you great
experience with the media.”
Feedback from Platform Filmmakers Group
(Tuesday nights at Platform, Easterhouse):
“It’s good. You have to make a film and it’s really good. Today I’ve
learned how to put on sound and use a monopod. If I wasn’t here
I wouldn’t have that much fun and I’d be in the streets
and it’s pure boring.” (Gerry, 12)
“I like the workshops. It’s really helpful to see and appreciate what people brought to the
group. I can see a lot of potential and with the mix of skills, I’m really looking forward to
being part of the group. My only complaint is I wish I had done something sooner, as the
world of filmmaking is so vast, I can’t do it all by myself.” (James, 33)
“I’d be walking about in the streets if I wasn’t
here. This is much more fun.” (Ross, 12)
“The workshops are really interesting.
Basically you are put in at the ‘deep
end’ and have to think. There is really
good support from the staff and other
students. Time flew past sooo quickly! I’m
looking forward to more ideas coming from
the group.”
“It’s very informal
learning which
works really well.”
“The workshops are fun
and useful in guiding
us through using the
equipment.”
to develop their skills in
documentary-making to tell local
and personal stories through the
medium.
In the East, in partnership with
Platform at the Bridge and the
Royal Scottish Academy of
Music and Drama, Brand New
Drama kicks off in Easterhouse
in April after a series of citywide
taster workshops in March.
Focusing on developing new
skills in screenwriting, directing,
camera, production and editing,
the programme will provide
participants the opportunity
to work with fellow new
filmmakers in realising their
first short drama productions,
mentored by Diversity’s team of
drama trainer/mentors including
Abigail Howkins (producer),
Peter Mackie Burns (writer/
director) Richard Smith (writer/
director), and Ray Tallan (director
of photography).
Running in tandem with the
adult Weekend Film Schools
are weekly evening workshops
in Govanhill and Easterhouse
with a more informal, drop-in
environment for young people
aged 12-16 to access mixedgenre
filmmaking training,
equipment and like-minded new
filmmakers.
As if that wasn’t enough
new-ness, the team are also
welcoming Brand New Project
Manager, Sarah Young and
Brand New Project Assistant,
Martin Dick to the fold, who
have hit the ground running
with launching the project and
signing up new filmmakers.
In keeping with the
organisation’s name and ethos,
diversity remains the focal
point for all of the new activities
happening in 2009 – diversity
in age, background, nationality
with participants signing up
aged 12 to 60+ from Glasgow,
Somalia, Russia, Pakistan to
name a few and diversity of
ideas too. With a wealth of
interest and energy to make
new work across history,
gang-fighting, music, art and
nationality, the next crop of
Diversity films promises to be
more than a match for the wide
range of projects produced so
far.
Keep an eye on the new work
and filmmakers at
www.diversityfilms.org.uk
where you can also sign up to
our newsletter and mailing list.
It’s Brand New, by the way!
Brand New is supported by Scottish
Screen National Lottery through the
Talent Development Fund.
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