Goole film-makers receive 2 Hollywood awards!

Two young directors from Goole, who took part in a film-making project at Junction last Spring, are celebrating after their films won awards in the Youth Fest category of the prestigious Hollywood International Family Film Festival.   

"Going Up" won the Best Foriegn Comedy award. Directed by Harvey Griffin (aged 15) and co-written by Sam Pratt it featurs young crew members and actors from Goole.  Harvey gave an acceptance speech live to the Hollywood audience from his home via a live video link. He said he was honoured and “proper chuffed” to win the award!

Pitch perfect performances from Mathew Oldreive Francesca Jackson. PS a little bit of trivia - watch out for my cameo!

going up - a straight 8 film by harvey griffin from straight eight on Vimeo.

Hannah Turner (aged 13) made her first film aged 7. Her film “Man from the Moon” was awarded finalist for Best Foreign Drama and combines animation with live action. It again used a young cast and crew from Goole supported by a terrific performance by Alec Cark (aged 77) who travelled from Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire to play the title role. He said, “Great news about Hollywood. I knew I'd get there one day!”  For experience for Hannah has been life changing. She said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed the entire process and it has encouraged me to continue making films and pursue a career in film making. I would also like to thank everyone who helped me to make this possible. I am really 'over the moon'"


man from the moon - a straight 8 film by hannah turner from straight eight on Vimeo.

Charlie Studdy, Arts & Leisure Manager at Junction said ‘We are immensely proud of what these young people have achieved; they really put so much hard work into the planning and creativity in these films.  I’m delighted that they have won awards in Hollywood, a great opportunity for two teenagers from Goole to showcase the fantastic talents the youth of Goole has to offer.’ 

The film making project was made possible by a grant from Screen Yorkshire and UK film Council through the Regional Investment Fund for England.  Sally Joynson, Chief Executive at Screen Yorkshire, said: “This is an amazing achievement for these young filmmakers – to win International Film Awards in Hollywood shows how Yorkshire and Humber is a hotbed of filmmaking talent across all ages. I’d like to congratulate both teams on this brilliant success, next stop the OSCARs!”

Congratulations everyone!

Goole film-makers get Hollywood nominations

Two young directors from Goole, who took part in a film-making project at Junction last Spring, have had their films nominated in the Youth Fest category of the prestigious Hollywood International Family Film Festival. 
  

Harvey Griffin (aged 15) directed a short film entitled Going Up, which also featured young crew members and young actors from Goole. Harvey is pleased to have been nominated and, as there appears to be only one nomination in the Comedy category, looks set to scoop the award.
Hannah Turner (aged 13) made her first film aged 7. Her film “Man from the Moon” is nominated for Best Drama. and combines animation with live action. It again used a young cast and crew from Goole supported by a terrific performance by Alec Cark (aged 77) who travelled from Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire to play the title role. He said, “Great news about Hollywood. I knew I'd get there one day!” Hannah is ecstatic to have been selected for the Hollywood screening, saying “I found the process very interesting and I have learnt a lot from the entire film course.”

Charlie Studdy, Arts & Leisure Manager at Junction said ‘We are immensely proud of what these young people have achieved; they really put so much hard work into the planning and creativity in these films. I’m delighted that they have been nominated in Hollywood, a great opportunity for two teenagers from Goole to showcase the fantastic talents the youth of Goole has to offer.’

Goole Straight8 was a 6 month film project for young people held at Junction, led by professional film-maker David Bunting. David, who started making films as a child on Super 8 before working on films like “Shaun the Sheep”, Disney’s “The Tigger Movie” and Channel 4’s “The Astronomers Sun” says ‘“While any film festival success is a real accomplishment, the truth is a Hollywood nomination is a massive deal for any filmmaker and our young filmmakers should be very proud of what they have accomplished. Their films will be screened on a Hollywood lot along with the best films made by young people from around the world. What’s really remarkable is our films were short on film and unedited, under strict competition rules set by Straight 8. Making films is hard enough, but the added challenges of editing in camera, meant our young filmmakers really had to plan every element of their film – with no chance of a second take. And maybe that’s the ultimate reason for their success. All of the professionals who worked with the young people put a huge amount of trust in them and our young people rose to the challenge! The whole thing was like a mini film school.”
Both films were made for Straight8 - a film competition like no other, in which entrants are provided with 8mm film and only get one shot at capturing their short movie. There is no opportunity to edit what has been filmed, and the first time the filmmakers got to see their work was at the premiere last summer at the ICA in London. Each applicant sent their unprocessed reel of film to the festival, who developed and viewed it to make their selections. Due to the tough challenge of making the film, it is usually experienced film-makers and degree-level film students that enter their work – it is very rare that young people get such an opportunity to have their work shown at this level. Straight8 Festival organiser Will Cummock said ‘Straight 8 is a tough challenge for any filmmaker, so it's fantastic to see young people taking it on so successfully’.

The film making project was made possible by a grant from Screen Yorkshire and UK film Council through the Regional Investment Fund for England. Sally Joynson, Chief Executive at Screen Yorkshire, said: “This is an amazing achievement for these young filmmakers – to be recognised internationally and have your film screened in Hollywood is something they won’t forget. It just goes to show how Yorkshire and Humber is a hotbed of filmmaking talent across all ages. I’d like to congratulate both teams on this brilliant achievement.”

Goole Premiere

The Goole premiere of our Goole Straught 8 films. Terrific to see so many people turn out for one heck of a celebration.

 Sam Burrows, Hannah Griffin and Harvey Griffin

Director, Hannah Turner

 Producer David Bunting and Supervising Director Madeliene Thorne

 David Bunting, crew supervisor Adam Kirk and Madeliene Thorne

"Going Up" stars, Francesca Jackson and Mathew Oldreive

London Premiere

It was a one amazing premiere in London. Young directors Hannah Turner and Harvey Griffin joined Nicola Dixon and myself for the Straight 8 premiere at Rushes Soho Shorts Film Festival. The mix and quality of films was breathtaking. Ahead of todays Goole premire, here's some pictures for the big day!

Hannah and Harvey waiting to see their films for the first time with an audience!

 Nicola Dixon, who's bold vision inspired all of our journeys.

 The technical challenge of producing any straight 8 film is immense. One brainy filmmaker wowed us all with his 3D super 8 film technique.

 Harvey's Dad, Harvey, David, Hannah and Hannah's mum.

The walk of fame. The Straight 8 directors on stage at the ICA.

We did it!! We got 2 films through to London!!

Great news from Straight8 that we have got 2 films in the London Screenings!! Woo hoo!!

Roll out the red carpet!!

And the films are . . .

Going Up - Director Harvey Griffin

Man From the Moon - Director Hannah Turner

Comisserations to the Remember to Smile team - we will be screening your film in Goole (more details on that soon)

The London Screenings will take place on 25 +26 July at the ICA, The Mall, London! Hannah and Harvey will be attending to represent each film.
Straight8 Festival organiser Will Cummock said


‘Straight 8 is a tough challenge for any filmmaker, so it's fantastic to see young people taking it on so successfully. 2011 has been one of our most competitive years to date so the standard of selected films is particularly high.’

More info on the other films on the Straight8 website http://www.straight8.net/

Have a sneaky peak at the ICA http://www.ica.org.uk/

Goole Straight8 was made possible by a grant from Screen Yorkshire and UK film Council through the Regional Investment Fund for England. Jay Arnold, Head of Cultural Sector Development at Screen Yorkshire says '


Screen Yorkshire is delighted to congratulate Hannah and Harvey on their success and very proud to have been able to support Goole Straight8. To get through to this stage in an international filmmaking competition is a fantastic achievement and testament to the team at Junction who work incredibly hard to ensure that young people in Goole have access to such life shaping opportunities.'

Straight 8 teaser trailer

Well all 3 films have been developed and are now with the rather awesome 115 entries at straight 8 2011!

You can catch the first fleeting (about 2 seconds) from our films in fast paced teaser trailer from Straight 8 2011, which shows the huge diversity of films produced this year. Of course the first time any of us will see the completed films will be at the premiere - all very exciting. Stay tuned for news from Goole Straight 8.
One date already confirmed is our screening at Junction in Goole, on Saturday 9th July.


straight 8 2011 trailer from straight eight on Vimeo.

Filmming Remember to Smile

Well yesterday we filmed our final Straight 8 entry, "Remember to Smile", Written by Laura Arnott and directed by Laura Arnott and Katy Burns. Film and Theatre director Darren Bolton supervised the shoot, along with crew supervisor Adam Kirk with myself producing. Sophie Backhouse played our lead role, and with the range of emotions she sensitively portrayed it was hard to remember that this was her first acting role.Maisy-Rae Millward and Evie Peta Backhouse played the central character at different ages of her life with other performances from Tiger Watkins-Bailey, Maidie Deighton and Jessica Barker, with our Executive Producer and Youth and Community Arts coordinator, Nicola Dixon taking a guest role.

The films now go to the Straight 8 competition organisers for developing and judging, so the first time we will get to see the film is at the premiere on July 9th!

Here's a few photos from the shoot:

 Samuel Burrows on camera. Behind him, crew supervisor, Adam Kirk offers guidance during one of the tricky handheld shots in the film.

80s children. Maidie Deighton and Tiger Watkins-Bailey dressed in 80s gear by wardrobe supervisor Emma Renhard and assistant Kimberley Scott.

Directing supervisor Dannen Bolton discussing a scene with Laura and Katy.