pathways into film and media

[Alan Gesic]

Is this board still going?

I've recently got my GCSE results and didn't do as well as I anticipated (4A*'s 2A's and a B). I'm trying to plan ahead for a a film idea I have and work out what sort of things you guys did to get into the film making world - ie. what courses; what experience; what you did to get a leg up on the media ladder. Its a struggle I know, having read how hard its been for certain people on this forum.

I have a contact at Northern film and media and am currently putting together a proposal for a VHSC feature documentary on being a struggling teenage film maker- they're quite interested in me and have indicated that this is a new area full of potential that has never been tapped before.

So come on, any advice, anecdotes or possibility of interviewing anyone for my film? If the grant comes in we may be able to pay for contributions.

I'm also interested in starting up a film scene in teesside. Its just dead at the moment. All previous attempts seemed to have fallen at the first hurdle through mismanagement and lack of drive. I'm a gritty and determined young man who has just what it takes to make it...ideas, drive, but as yet no insight into what is awaiting me in the media world- and no camera, just a vhs c which is starting to show its age. No matter, when I get the chance the media world won't know what has hit it!!!

Soon I'll be starting up my own web site which will have a forum, I'm thinking of applying to local granters like TVCF and Rock haven or HVDA for some funds to kick start the idea and put our region on the map. (I have a mate whose doing IT and has a web design module so it can be a pet project for him whilst at college) Why should the geordies get all the money and opportunities? Who's with me?

[philipswales]

First off, yeah the board is still going. Theoretically, anyway.

Secondly, congrats on the GCSE results. YOu did way better than I did all those years ago.
DOn't beat yourself up over them, they're excellent.

Film scene in Teesside, you say? I didn't even realise you were based in Teesside. Are you a monkey hanger too?


I can tell you from experience that it's really hard to get enough people interested over a long time period to form a scene.

Spare Time Films is made up largely from my already-existing circle of friends. We recruited a few people later down the line who have done us proud, but most people lose interest after a while.

Advice: keep it local. Don't expect people from Stockton, Middlesbrough, etc. to meet up regularly and travel for the privilege. It won't work.

Seek out a few like minded people in your own area and build on that.

I made my first short because I had access to a location and enough people to help me out, so I wrote a script, went out over several weekends and evenings and just did it.

I didn't even own a camera - it was a case of beg, borrow or steal to get the movie done.

As for working up the media ladder - can't help you there, since I'm still not on the first rung.

Applying for grants - I've only got disappointing experiences of this, but to paraphrase the guys who run another Pool-based film group, "we spend as much time filling in paperwork for grants as we do making films".

If you have the patience and the time for that, more power to you. Me, I've decided it's easier to work within your means then keep going cap in hand to organisations looking for money. Even if you do get some cash, there's a strong chance there's an agenda/ulterior motive attached to it.

If you DO live in the mighty pool and want to discuss things further, drop me a line.

[Kev Owens]

Hey Alan,

My girlfriend is in Australia at the minute, and she saw a documentary film there called 'A Century in Stone'- which was funded by NFM and made by a guy based in Teeside. He was screening it in 5 countries. He'd be an obvious choice for you to interview. Plus I think NFM could quite easily put you in touch with plenty of good interviewees, but you need to think long and hard about the actual backbone of the doc? What is it's voice? I've had funding from NFM before, and they will be looking to see what you are trying to say, rather than who you can get. How original is your voice?

Secondly VHS C? Are you mental? If NFM do fund you, then ditch that and shoot digital- even they have some equipment they would loan you. Even if you try to make a statement about being a poor filmmaker, VHS is unforgivable!

[Your GCSE results have no bearing on how good your film will be, that's completely irrelevant.]

I agree with Philip- forget trying to create a big 'film scene' on teeside- think more compact at first, a bunch of salt of the earth chaps who you can always count on.

I think you're wrong in your assumption that 'geordies get all the moeny and opportunities'. It's horse shit, and it doesn't pay to think like that. There are little opportunites for anyone in the entire country, trust me- so base your challenge on your own desire to succeed.

At the beginning of the year me and a buddy started a video production business- but we decided to do it 'properly' and start by making corporate videos- but our long term plan is to move back into what we were doing before- filmmaking. Only now we have equipment, money and pro experience behind us.

If we hadn't of gone our own way, there's no way I'd be working in media at the minute. So be ready for a challenge! Good luck in your filmmaking, and let us all know how it's going.