The idea
Southall is unique and is renowned for its vibrant multicultural community and culture. With many attractions including the Grand Union Canal, parks, historical buildings and other sites, residents have a lot to feel proud about.
We will connect with local people to join us in creating video diaries about Southall. Different people, of different cultures can share their stories in front of the camera, with a cinematographer and hosts to help along with way. The videos that are produced will all be shot in local areas, mainly green spaces, as we want to promote the spaces that Southall has to offer.
This project will be inclusive to all faiths, cultures, genders, orientations and abilities. We want to show others just how much there is to love about our area, while building community spirit and giving people the chance to explore new skills. This will be a great opportunity for people to network, meet new people to share their stories, and release some of the pandemic stresses.
What we'll deliver
- Create 4 short video diaries featuring local people and spaces
- Run community workshops in preparation of filming and shooting
- Training newcomers to learn acting skills, scriptwriting, building their confidence
- Upload videos to Youtube
- Online promotion to encourage people to visit Southall
- An exhibition at the end where we people can prebook and we will screen our videos for people to watch
- Hire seasonal performers/artists/local known figures to be featured in our videos to boost our project
- Give training to people joining the project on how to present themselves in front of camera and share their ideas
- Encouraging people to use green spaces and walking instead of using transport
Why it's a great idea
- Promoting green spaces and parks in Southall
- Encouraging people to visit and discover places to exercise and keep healthy
- Highlighting what Southall has to offer, encouraging more tourism and therefore increased spending by tourists in local shops and restaurants
- Boost for Southall tourism and publicity for local attractions
- Encouraging people to meet and connect when visiting local parks to share their culture, language and improve socialisation in Southall
- An opportunity for local people to build their confidence, leave their comfort zone and appear in front of the camera
- Help to release mental stresses especially those who have felt isolated during lockdown
- Temporary employment for seasonal artists
- Bringing the community together
Steps to get it done
- Buying filming equipment
- Creating and distributing flyers and posters to create awareness for our project
- Hiring a space for community workshop sessions - discussing topics for each video so everyone is clear on the focus
- Directing, filming and editing 4 videos
- Hiring a space (Southall Town Hall) to run the exhibition at the end of the project
- Uploading videos to YouTube
- Burning copies of documentaries onto USB sticks for people to keep
- Sending links of our videos to organisations to share to their networks and boost tourism and economy
- The Academy will establish permanent hub for newcomers to learn acting, writing, directing and using filming equipment
- Connecting with at least 30 local people and getting them signed up to join the project
- Encouraging people to walk and use public transport where possible instead of their
- Promoting to the project online to save unnecessary printing
