Session 6 - Changing from static to moving media

Session Aims:

• Respond to poster drafts and complete final edits
• Consider various film-making approaches and use them to develop my own ideas
• Research existing films about young carers and discuss
• Devise and present early ideas for film with clear aims and key messages

RARPA Statement :

“I can research & reflect on existing films about Young Carers and write a film pitch applying various story-telling techniques”

The group were asked to respond to the statement. The blue marks show how they felt at the start of the session, the orange show where they were by the end.

The YCR crew came back together at the City Screen Basement venue with the task of making the final edits for their campaign posters. They considered style, text and fonts, layout and the wording on the posters, making the necessary amendments for the designer to complete the job.

Following this, the group gathered together to look at some examples of existing films made about young carers. They were asked to consider what they liked and disliked about the films, and to listen for key messages. After each example they were asked to feedback on style, approach and content. The excersise was all about sparking their imagination and to help them start to visualise their ideas for their own film.

Once the crew had viewed the examples they set about working in teams to brainstorm ideas about their own film. As a guide they were asked to consider 1. Audience? (who is the film aimed at); 2. Impact (what Impact are you looking to make); 3. Key messages? (what are the key messages you want to communicate); 4. What does it look like? (what style and approach will you use, how will the film look!).

The crew got to work and started to be creative with ideas about how they could approach their film. Their commitment to the challenge in hand is always evident and it was no different with the brainstorming task. Behind the colorful characters of the YCR crew some really extraordinary experiences were starting to emerge; Stories of real struggle, difficult circumstances, immense pressure, stories of bravery, hope, overcoming challenges and the huge impact of the young carers service in their lives.

The YCR crew are a talented group with lots to say. Their experiences are really powerful and can really help to highlight the difficulties of being a young carer through their film, raising awareness, identifying hidden young carers and empowering people who work with young people to meet the needs of young carers more effectively.