Film Lab (2007-2010), was funded by the Joint Security Initiative (Housing and Regeneration Anti-Social Behaviour initiative, London Borough of Southwark). This was a project where we fundraised and delivered eight film and drama courses, working with residents from the Crawford, Wyndham and Comber estates and St Michael's and All Angels Academy in West Camberwell, South East London. The courses were open to all young people with ages between 12-19, taking participants from script writing through to production and editing of a final piece of fiction. Some of the work was selected as part of the Beautiful South Film Festival organised by the British Film Institute and won the "Let's Do it" award, a Metropolitan Police, South London Press and Barclays Bank joint initiative in 2007.

 

You can read more about this project by clicking here.

Nurturing young talent

 

 

 

 

In early 2010, we also worked with young rap artist Aluka Jeffs in producing his first professionally produced music video. We took an interest in this young person as he had approached us with a song that really summed up what the project was trying to tackle: gang culture and the fear of gun and knife crime. It also talked about positive role models like Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela.

 

We had amazing support from the local police and the Neighbourhood Watch team, which really reflected the ethos of the project and its partnership work.

The strength of this project is that it will engage and help to change behaviours amongst young people whilst building bridges with the local residents.It provides an innovative and interesting way in which to break down barriers into what has been a neglected area. I can assure you that my team will fully support this project as it runs its course.
David Gwyther - Police Sergeant, Camberwell Safer Neighbourhood Team, Metropolitan Police