Students were set the challenge of producing a short-film which promoted important citizenship values. Working with local youngster Isaac Tossio, the CMG set about creating ‘Grow a Beard’: a fun, vibrant and energetic series of inspirational clips detailing how and why we should all spread more positivity.
Directed by 16-year old Ollie Paxton, the film was produced over several months, and involved over 40 young people working on cast and crew, brainstorming ideas and helping to bring the film to life. Students got to partake in several filmmaking workshops with industry professionals as part of the process.
Ollie Paxton said of the experience: “It was tremendous fun to make something positive, and which hopefully has some value to local people. We wanted to make something which had a good message, but that didn’t take itself too seriously. Getting the tone right was probably the hardest task, but Isaac was so mature – he really understood what we were trying to do.”
Workshop leader and filmmaker Richard Paris Wilson added “Ollie and the rest of the students involved did a great job. It takes a lot of effort and patience from a lot of people to make a good video. And we’re all extremely thankful to the Sutton Community fund and the Sutton Life Centre for supporting our work. It’s so important for the future of the Borough to have young people thinking positively and creating imaginative works of art.
The film will be displayed with subtitles in the Life Centre library. You can also view the completed film here:
http://www.suttonlifecentre.org/grow-a-beard-media-clubs-community-video/