Bringing fringe voices into the knowledge economy
Fresh ideas come from the fringe, where adversity and often resource challenges are the seeds for innovation and alternative ways of doing things.
As well as being one of the drivers of this breadth of ideas and experiences, lack of capacity is conversely also a barrier to entry into the mainstream. We help to build this capacity and make individuals and groups ready for mainstream engagement.
This takes the form of film and media training to help express, opinionate and disseminate; leadership training that raises aspirations, skills and confidence; and promoting rising thought leaders in mainstream society. We give people tools to overcome disadvantage or barriers to entry. Despite the value of these voices in the mainstream, we don’t want to perpetuate the fringe or put it on some sort of pedestal - it’s not fun being there, the fun begins when they can engage with the wider world.
Building employability skills, networks and the confidence to contribute to society is a core part of all our work - for example, Nobody’s Perfect was a project that began with a national competition in the UK for creative young people - we mentored the 10 finalists to produce films using their script, music or directing skills. More importantly, we arranged a West End Red Carpet Premiere so that they could experience the glamour and confidence of being stars - this awarded massive self-esteem and helped these young people to think of themselves as potentially important and core members of the UK film industry.
Critically, we challenge people to overcome their intimidation of barriers caused by historic disadvantage and show them how they can empower themselves and take control of their own pathways and aspirations.
Sci Files: a science film-making programme for girls and ethnic minority youth from the inner city, supported by Aim Higher, London West (2005).
Supporting capacity at the fringe
Nobody’s Perfect: a multi-media project for marginalised young people culminated in a west end red carpet premiere, supported by Get Connected (2008).
A group of teenage trainee journalists produce films to communicate the concept of civil rights to young people their own age for Waltham Forest Borough Council. (2010).
From left to right: Nobody’s Perfect participants filming, receiving certificates from JJ Feild and Georgia Groom and two students on the red carpet (2008).
Bangladeshi and Somali girls produces viral films to promote their perspectives on the government’s decision to bail out the banks; they were mentored by Muslim women filmmakers. Supported by Skillset (2009).
