Film-making bootcamps have been well under way in Leigh this weekend, with budding filmmakers learning all the skills necessary in creating their own documentaries about the town.
Over the past weekend, a group of budding filmmakers attending sessions delivered and organised by Northern Heart Films and funded by Wigan Council.
The group, selected through an application process, were given the opportunity to gain the skills and confidence needed to 'create the films of the future'.
Each of the workshops was led by experienced professionals in their field including an award-winning cinematographer, tech specialists, and documentary filmmaker for the BBC.
Participants were also invited to take part in one-to-one discussions with the professionals to help them build both their CV’s and confidence.
Councillor Keith Cunliffe, deputy leader of the council, said: “It’s been fantastic to be able to support this project, which we hope will make a massive difference to all the young people who have had the opportunity to take part.
“It’s important to us to make sure that our young people get the chance to have new experiences like this, to help them build the confidence and knowledge needed to develop their aspirations and reach for their goals.”
Over the weekend, the 16–25-year-olds,participated in workshops covering camera work, sound, research, development and logistics, before going out into Leigh town centre to make their own documentaries.
Natasha Hawthornthwaite, co-founder and producer at Northern Heart, who developed the programme with fellow co-founder Scott Bradley, said: “We’ve built these workshops based on the sorts of experiences we wish we’d been able to access when we were just starting out.
“The young people who have taken part this weekend have come from lots of different starting points in terms of their knowledge and experience of filmmaking.
“Some have studied film at university but have never progressed into the world of making films. Some have enjoyed filmmaking when they were younger but have fallen out of love with it. Some have made films as a hobby but never considered making it a career.
“There are lots of formal filmmaking qualifications available, but you don’t always get that real experience of filmmaking straight away with access to and advice from people who are working in the field.
“Over the course of the weekend I’ve seen so much development in the young people, not just in their practical skills, but also in the way their passions for filmmaking have been re-ignited and the valuable connections they’ve made with each other.”
Carrie, 20, from Leigh, one of the young people who secured a place on the bootcamp, said: “I lost my passion for filmmaking a little while ago, so I’ve just been going through the motions, but this weekend has helped me to re-ignite that spark I once had, and I know what I want to do now.”
Tommy, 25, from Tyldesley, added: “I can’t believe there’s been an opportunity like this, just ten minutes away from where I live.
“As someone who is just coming into the film industry, I’ve sometimes felt like it’s been an uphill battle, and that I was alone, with no support.
“This experience with local filmmakers, who are willing to collaborate and network, has made me feel like it’s all possible.
“I’ve learned that if you live in a local town, you have as much right to go into filmmaking as someone in a big city. I hope there will be more opportunities like this.”
The filming bootcamps are just one of the creative opportunities for young people in the borough that have been made possible after Wigan Council secured funding from the BBC’s filming of a high-profile drama series at Leigh Town Hall.
Further opportunities will include the chance for a selection of young filmmakers to work with Northern Heart on a documentary following Leigh band, The Lottery Winners in the run-up to their homecoming gig at Leigh Sports Village in May.
Members of the band surprised the young people by joining them at the end of the filming weekend for the screening of their short documentaries in The Turnpike.
Subjects covered in the documentaries included the ‘Wigan Kebab’, filmed at Green Lane Chippy, and the importance of rugby to the people of Leigh.
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