Project Bettws Boys and Girls Club
Location Bridgend
Organised by Bettws Boys and Girls Club
Contact Neil Ellis Tel 01656 729569
Visit www.bettwsboysandgirlsclub.org.uk

Staff at the Bettws Boys and Girls Club offered their members a taste of the television and film industries by engaging them in the use of digital film-making equipment and High Definition (HD) technology.

After working with its local broker, the club received funding from Communities @One to pay for an industry expert to train young people from the area in short film production. The club’s grant also paid for the hire of digital equipment to produce the film.

The project supported young people whose access to digital technology had previously been limited, helping to upskill them and boost confidence. The film produced by the group was also used to show the wider community how young people can make a positive contribution to the area.

Key achievements

- 23 young people, aged between 12 and 25, were informally trained in the use of digital film-making equipment; 15 members have been put forward for an Open College Network (OCN) qualification. Training covered the full range of skills required to make a short film, including script-writing, location finding, filming, sound, lighting and editing.
- Those who received the informal training have helped other groups within the Bettws Boys and Girls Club to make short films about their activities e.g. youth boxing club.
- A wider social benefit has been felt following the project, through increased youth involvement in community matters.

Lessons learned

- The training was delivered in a familiar location, in a relaxed manner, to appeal to any young people who may have been intimidated by the technology being used.
- The short film produced by the group was made into a DVD, which has enabled wider circulation and viewing of the film throughout the local community.


From a personal perspective

16-year-old Alex Thomas said:

“Being involved with the pre-production and actually acting in the film was mind blowing, and it was hard but extremely enjoyable work. Because of this I am considering a film and media course in Bridgend College.”


Next steps

- The film made by the group will be put forward for an award through the Bridgend County Youth Services Film Awards (BYSFA).
- The experience attained in this project may enable the club, or some group members, to co-ordinate similar film-making projects in the future.

October 2007