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BUDDING FILMMAKERS TO FEATURE IN BBC 2 FILM
Budding filmmakers from 18 primary schools will feature in a unique guide to documentary filmmaking on BBC 2 July 2nd as part of a UK-wide filmmaking project organised by the education charity Into Film, BBC Learning, the British Film Institute (BFI) and the British Council. Entitled ‘Filming Our Greatest Generation’, the film includes highlights from schools which have participated in the ‘Make Film – Greatest Generation’ project and ‘Top Ten Tips’ from Testimony Films producer and director Steve Humphries for schools still interested in taking part.
Inspired by BBC Two Series Britain’s Greatest Generation (made by Testimony Films), which was screened last month to mark the 70th Anniversary of World War Two, the project invites children aged 7-11 to explore and commemorate local history by recording interviews with members of the wartime generation and combining the footage with archive clips to create their own short documentaries. Schools from Cornwall to Cardiff to Aberdeen have interviewed individuals ranging from a prisoner of war and a navy gunner whose ship was torpedoed, to women who took on men’s roles in the workplace and a lady of 102 talking to her great granddaughter’s class about the huge changes to her life during World War Two. Pupils have shot and edited their films using the dedicated ‘Make Film – Greatest Generation’ curriculum linked resource and filmmaking guides produced by Into Film, an education charity supported by the BFI with Lottery funding. They have also made use of a unique and diverse selection of archive clips from the BFI and British Council archives made available specially for this project.
Teachers have welcomed the impact of the project:
“The children found interviewing both people interesting and insightful. They learned a great deal about the history of the area and also filmmaking skills (camera, sound, directing and interviewing). All children thoroughly enjoyed the experience, but one in particular excelled expectations. She has become more confident since participating in this project. The children are very excited about seeing the finished film and very proud of what they have achieved.” Janet Hayward, Cadoxton Primary
“The project was excellent for developing the children's speaking and listening skills, as they had to take responsibility for preparing questions and carrying out an interview. It was great to see them working as a team. Watching the historic archive clips helped bring the past to life to and it was fun to use them in our film. There is a great sense of achievement that the finished film is now going to be shown to the whole school, parents and our interviewee. We are also very excited that it will be shown on the Into Film website and included in the compilation film Filming Our Greatest Generation broadcast on the BBC Two Learning Zone on 2nd July.” Katherine Reed, East Wichel Primary
Into Film CEO Paul Reeve said: “This exciting collaboration, encompassing teaching resources, filmmaking guides and a treasure trove of archive clips, is a wonderful opportunity for the young generation to explore life from 1930-1960 in a memorable and creative way through the accessible, immersive medium of film.
By interviewing members of the wartime generation from their local community these young people have gained a unique understanding of what life was like at that time. It’s wonderful to see the results.” Paul Reeve, CEO, Into Film
Find out more about Make Film – Greatest Generation and start an Into Film Club for free access to thousands of films and education resources at www.intofilm.org or call 0207 288 4520.
‘Filming our Greatest Generation’ will be transmitted on the BBC Two Learning Zone on 2 July at 5am.