NEW SOUTHWARK FILM WEBSITE GIVES ALL THE LATEST NEWS – AND PREVIOUS FILM LOCATIONS / ARTS CAREER BOOST FOR CROYDON TEENS / GIVE YOUR OPINION ON CROYDON’S CULTURE
NEW SOUTHWARK FILM WEBSITE GIVES ALL THE LATEST NEWS – AND PREVIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
Film fans and telly addicts in the borough of Southwark can now get all the latest about the movies and TV shows being recorded right on their doorstep thanks to a new website devoted to local location news.
The new websitehttp://www.southwarkfilmoffice.co.uk/features the latest Southwark film news, past film locations and appearances, and details on how filming is managed in the community.
“Whether you prefer to be in front or behind the camera – or just sat in the cinema – the site also features opportunities to take part in local filming which everyone is encouraged to take advantage of” said a Southwark council spokesperson.
Cllr Dora Dixon-Fyle, Southwark’s cabinet member for adult care, arts and culture said: “Whether it’s representing the sophisticated streets of New York or zombie-filled wastelands of Moscow, it’s wonderful that so many film producers use Southwark as the backdrop for their productions.
“We know that people are always interested when film cameras appear on our streets and through the website, we can give our residents more than just a glimpse of what filming is happening and actually invite them to get involved through many ways if they wish.
“We’ve enhanced the relationship between Southwark council and the film industry with the help of this fantastic website and I hope all our residents take full advantage of this unique collaboration.”
London is the third most popular film city in the world attracting filmmakers from all over the world. London’s ever increasing popularity as a prime filming location creates a wealth of opportunities for residents to become more involved through a range of activities including local jobs, work experience, Q and As with filmmakers, and set visits.
Residents associations are heavily involved in discussing plans to film in their neighbourhoods, providing any special terms and conditions, to make sure they feel protected and respected by crews.
Filmmakers have helped the communities they film in in a number of ways from opening internet cafes, local play centres and buying street furniture, to providing local police with bicycles, plants for community gardens, and even funding free concerts.
Southwark council’s Film Office is managed by FilmFixer. FilmFixer director Karen Everett said: “Of all the council services provided, residents possibly know the least about what’s going on in the film office. We hope this website will change all that.
“Along with all the good news about filming in your neighbourhood, it’s important for residents to know what to do if they have a problem. “The website provides a 24 hour number for residents to call. “Someone will always answer this and respond immediately to help. “And there’s other helpful information about questions that might come up.”
Resident Alison Walker, who has been representing residents on local filming for 10 years via the Trinity Newington residents association, said: .”Now that we have a professional film office, it’s possible to manage filming in a way that works for everyone. “We now have a very well established way of passing on residents’ views about filming to the council.
“People quite enjoy filming if it’s managed properly – it’s always a bit thrilling to glance out of the window and see a superstar – whether it’s Renee Zellweger as Bridget Jones or Rupert Penry-Jones in Whitechapel 2.
“The ability to control the impact of filming is really important. “The film office gets a lot of requests to film here so we appreciate that the amount of filming is now monitored and balanced – ensuring residents still find filming thrilling.”
Please visit http://www.southwarkfilmoffice.co.uk/ for your local film news. (Source: Southwark council press release)
ARTS CAREER BOOST FOR CROYDON TEENS
A council-funded project has won a £16,500 grant to give Croydon children with autism expert training towards a career in the entertainment industry.
Club Soda has won Department of Health funding to give up to 30 young people with autism career-boosting skills from lighting and stage management to film-making and arts administration.
One of just 42 successful bids nationwide, the scheme will see Club Soda staff and associate artists train the youngsters aged 16 to 19 from January to June next year.
The teenagers will get to showcase their new skills by working on public performances, including Soda Beat at Matthews Yard in February and at a new event at Fairfield Halls in March called SoDaDa. They will also do work experience placements at Croydon Clocktower.
The project intends to build on links with the Croydon Learning Disabilities Partnership to provide further training and employment opportunities for young people with autism. Club Soda’s partners who are supporting the project include St Giles School, Priory School and Bensham Manor School who have pupils that will take part in the scheme.
Cllr Alisa Flemming, Croydon Council’s cabinet member for children, families & learning, said: “The council funds Club Soda to give young people with learning difficulties a platform to develop their artistic skills and self-expression, so this extra funding is great for them and their future job prospects.”
Club Soda is a non-profit making social enterprise based in Croydon and its inclusive programmes consist of regular live events, weekly workshops, ongoing projects and specialist groups.
The grant comes from the Department of Health’s £1 million autism innovation fund. (Source: Croydon council press release.)
GIVE YOUR OPINION ON CROYDON’S CULTURE
Culture is a great driver of investment, job creation, visitor footfall and resident satisfaction, and that is why Croydon council say they are keen to learn people’s feelings on how the borough’s cultural offering should develop.
“Passionate about culture, the council is inviting people who live and work in Croydon, along with those who visit, to make known their ambitions for all aspects of the borough’s cultural life” said a Croydon spokesperson.
“The council is confident that, through an online survey running until the end of the year, it will learn what people think of the area’s cinemas, theatres, music and dance events, exhibitions, museums, festivals, and anything similar that goes to make Croydon a great place to live, work and visit.”
Cllr Timothy Godfrey, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said: “Culture is the cornerstone of this administration’s ethos. “We realise that a healthy and vibrant cultural scene is vital to our plans for the borough’s regeneration.
“Cultural events bring visitors to the borough. “The presence of those visitors results in more jobs being created. “More people in meaningful and rewarding jobs is the basis of a good local economy.
“The pleasure that cultural activities can bring is so important for Croydon’s communities. “Part of the development of our cultural strategy is around making it sustainable by delivering the things people actually enjoy and want to support.
“The views of locals and visitors are paramount and that’s why we’d like as many as possible to complete our questionnaire and help us to further develop the cultural offer in the community.”
The online survey closes on 31 December. Go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/ambitiousforculture
(Source: Croydon council press release.)
