Paul Saunders and his team are providing filmmaking and drama sessions in Rother and Hastings, thanks to the local authorities. They have helped get these courses up and running for the local young people in conjunction with the White Ribbon Campaign. His aim is to give youngsters a voice, a positive voice, against all forms of violence, by enabling them to learn through drama and film.
Paul is a professional actor and a filmmaker and oversees the course. He has won various awards for short films and has worked with the BBC as an actor; he was in Eastenders for a while. Recently he was on stage at the Stables Theatre, Hastings and has just received critical acclaim for his performance of Gangster No. 1.
Paul said: “The young people are the focus of these workshops, with them creating theatre pieces, monologues and short films. They will be learning how to prepare themselves for film, editing, acting, directing but mainly having a good time learning about the industry. There will be a grand finale presentation of all of their work in December which will be presented to parents, grandparents, carers and friends. It will showcase talents on all levels. It’s their project, it’s what they want to do. I will teach them how to edit and produce creative works of quality. I am very excited about this project and look forward to it all coming together.”
Paul works closely with Jayne Reid, a long serving local police officer, now retired, who has turned her hand to being a production co-ordinator and general PA.
Comments from three of the girls who attended the first workshop at the end of the session:
Holly: “It was a good beginning to see what’s it’s like.”
Abi: “I really enjoyed it. It was a good experience.”
Izzy: “I’m interested in the industry, and this is giving me an idea of what it’s like.”
The sessions in Rye run at Tilling Green Community Centre on Thursdays from 5:30pm to 7:30pm for ages 11-18 years. For more information on this course or the ones in Bexhill / Hastings please call 07432 691258.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .