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Graham Bowman Young People's Development Coordinator 16/06/08
Hathershaw & Fitton Hill NDC commissioned REELmcr to do a piece of work, which we hoped would help us engage with a lethargic and divided community.
Oh boy is that a drastic underestimation of the profound effect this group of highly motivated and deeply passionate professionals have had on this community.
The film they produced was an exceptional piece of cinematography and at the time of its release, I gave the following press statement.
"This wasn't just another film project. For many it was a life changing experience. People of different age groups, cultures, religious and social backgrounds worked together on everything from script to dance routines. During the process, everyone was able to see beyond their differences and embraced the opportunity to produce a magnificent piece of drama. In doing so, they earned the respect of each other, changed stereotypical perceptions and became good friends. Heart of the Park came from the heart of the people…"
I could talk about outputs, and accredited outcomes or REELmcr’s professionalism and organisation but I prefer instead to look at what I feel is a more important aspect of their work.
Diverse groups living parallel lives, frequenting the same schools and facilities, shops, streets, yet not caring about the community they shared.
People who were once suspicious of each other, that never even talked to each other; now behaving and interacting with each other like long lost relatives or lifelong friends. Working as one; laughing together and enjoying each other’s company. Supporting, encouraging and caring about each other, forgetting differences; embracing commonalities.
REELmcr consistently put the development of the project into the hands of the community itself; they care passionately about what they do and the people they work with can see their commitment, can feel their passion and respond accordingly.
The effect could not have been more dramatic, such was their inspiration that since the film premièred there has been an engagement rush from the community. A growing number of young people now engage not only in a vast array of performing arts, but also in everything from sports and outdoor pursuits to community activism. Members of the community are coming out of their front doors not to remonstrate or condemn but to lend their support and offer their time, their skills, their commitment. Moreover, as each new activity starts, more become motivated to break the cycle of apathy and division.
Those young Film Stars have now become the inspiration of others and are opening the floodgates of sustainable community engagement.
I feel REELmcr have made a major contribution to this community and that this is the true measure of the value of their work. To think it all began on a cold wet day in Oldham when someone shouted the immortal phrase
“Quiet please…….Camera……Action!”
Regards
Graham Bowman
Young People's Development Coordinator
Hathershaw and Fitton Hill New Deal for Communities
