| polkadotsonraindrops often
work with people who may be experiencing the creative use
of digital technology for the first time. Social issues
and concerns that are relevant to participants are explored
through processes of shared authorship and evaluation. The
accessible use of digital technology develops new transferable
skills while overcoming possible fears of technical shortcomings.
Projects
Lea River Documentary Film Project
With the support of UK Film Council funded
First Light,
polkadotsonraindrops are making four documentaries about
the Lea River in east London in 2007. The films have been
developed with schools and youth groups over eight months
and will be made by young people (under 18yrs) who live
in east London. The total budget for the project is £33k
and the films will be offered a multi platform release in
cinemas, festivals and online.
The Lea River is rich with past history and present change.
Waves of immigration, child labour, the slave trade, the
Port of London and industrial wastelands leading to the
2012 Olympics are all part of the Lea River narrative. The
young people devising these documentaries will explore their
heritage and invent their futures through the film making
process. The films will document the past and present while
being infused with hopes and fears about massive change
currently taking place.
Places Like Us
In collaboration with the Refugee
Council and the 1
Minute Foundation, polkadotsonraindrops are
applying to the Heritage Lottery Fund to
produce a series of films with unaccompanied refugee children
in London. The films will be completed in 2007.
Tell Me. The Story of El Negro
Producer Rani Khanna and Mark
Aitken are developing a feature documentary about an African
man who was stolen from his grave, stuffed and exhibited
in Europe for 180 years, before being reburied in the wrong
country in 2000.
Courses
Story and Script Development
Getting a camera out before you've formulated an idea normally
results in unfocused work. Our approach to devising stories
and scripts is based on developing characters with histories
and emotions. If the character is engaging, we'll want to
follow the story. These courses involve writing through
shared authorship, filming, sound recording
and editing. They may take place over one day or last for
a full week.
Currently taking place at Arvon Centres
and the Film & Video Workshop in London.
Acting for the camera
This course is designed for writers, directors
and producers. We employ actors to improvise and explore
characters from scripts offered by participants. Scripts
and characters are literally brought to life and filmed.
Back story and the full emotional complexities of tone,
subtext and drama are explored before a film goes into production
so as to ensure the best performances from actors and directors.
Currently taking place at Goldsmiths University.
Documentary production
This two week intensive course offers students
an opportunity to make a short documentary film while exploiting
their full potential in developing and executing their ideas.
The subject of the film is provided by the course and students
research, develop and write a script. Character, narrative
and form will all be considered and students have hands
on training in interview techniques, voiceover, camera coverage,
story development, shot lists, scheduling, etc. Students
learn to edit with Final Cut Pro HD software and develop
skills in the grammar of documentary editing and learn how
to structure the story in the edit. Track laying and sound
editing skills will also be utilised to make a powerful
short documentary film.
Currently taking place at Central St Martins College
of Art & Design.
polkadotsonraindrops also offer technical training courses
in:-
Camerawork
Sound recording, editing and design
Digital Photography
Final Cut Pro Editing
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