Portrait of a Nation NE, the story so far

Last issue, Way 2 Go showcased a selection of young people who have been taking part in Portrait of a Nation, a national ‘debate’ exploring identity, sense of place and what it means to be British today involving over 3000 young people around the UK.

In this issue, we want to show you what the young people of NewcastleGateshead are contributing to the debate and their story so far…

As part of the spectacular finale which will take place in Liverpool this December at the European Capital of Culture 2008 closing celebrations, young people from the Northern Stars film academy have been creating a series of short documentaries. The films are a contribution to “Portrait of a Nation”, a year long project run by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Liverpool European Capital of Culure which aims to show the nation through the eyes of the young people.

Before showcasing their films in Liverpool in December, they will get the opportunity to present them at the Northern Lights Film Festival. This will provide a fantastic opportunity for the talented youth of NewcastleGateshead to be seen by industry professionals and gain recognition for their efforts.

During the project, the young people split into two groups, both working with Tyne & Wear Museums and Tyneside cinema. One group made “Home” which features real life stories of the people of Newcastle, including a homeless man. The film asks them what home means to them and why they love living in Newcastle.

The second group focused on the Shoe Tree, where people tie and throw old shoes onto the branches (well known in Heaton Park), and the Flickr Wall, which is covered in graffiti messages written by the community. Both are fantasy-type iconic studies of Newcastle city centre communities and the two films come together to show a distinctive and special sense of social cohesion and identity in the region.

NewcastleGatehead is just one of 17 cities taking part in Portrait of a Nation ranging from as far apart geographically and culturally as Inverness and Brighton. The finale in Liverpool will be the stage where all cities can showcase and perform what they believe makes their city special, exploring their heritage and identity. Some examples of what other regions are doing include twenty young people in Bradford exploring the history of the textile industry through a live fashion show with DJs, to London’s participants using modern dance to explore their African and Carribean roots .

Log onto www.portraitofanation.net for updates from Newcastle and around the UK!

Alex Dobbing , aged 17, is a youth ambassador for NewcastleGateshead’s Portrait of a Nation project and a pupil at Ponteland High School. She worked on ‘Home’ alongside Tom Davidson, a pupil at Duchess’s Community High School in Alnwick. She said:

Both me and my family were born and raised in Newcastle Upon Tyne, and I plan to live here for the rest of my life. I am involved in the Northern Stars Film Academy from Newcastle, a group of 16-19 year olds making short films.

During this experience, we have all learnt so much about Newcastle. Mainly it’s little secrets like the shoe tree and the flicker wall. But also the way people feel about Newcastle, how people love Newcastle and why they love Newcastle. It has made us very happy to be a part of this and to be a part of the city and it’s culture. We think that what makes our city special is the fact that 9/10 times we went and asked people on the street their views about Newcastle, they all stopped and spoke to us, very happily and helpfully, and wanted to help in anyway they could. It’s made all the Northern Stars very aware of their city and how special it is.

Whos involved?

Portrait of a Nation is run by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Liverpool Capital of Culture. See www.portraitofanation.net for further information, where young people from the 17 cities will be posting blogs, pictures and films and discussing the cultural ‘hot spots’ in their home town in a series of online debates.

Make Your Own ‘Portrait of a Region’ Film

Portrait of a Region is an exciting opportunity for all you budding young film makers out there!

This is an un-missable opportunity to fulfil your dream of becoming a film maker. Winners receive a filming master class with industry professionals at the Tyneside Cinema, a free movie pass for a month and have a chance to demonstrate your work at Juice, NewcastleGateshead’s festival for young people and children which takes place in October half term.

The competition is aimed at 14-19 year olds, and you are invited to make a one minute film showing why you are proud to come from the North East. You can film anything you choose, your favourite places, people and experiences. You can use your camera phone, your digital camera or video camera.

Films will be judged by professional filmmakers and programmers and a selection of the best films will be screened at Juice in a custom made cinema Art Car called Squeeze.

Holli McGuire, leader of the Portrait of a Region project, said:

We’re very excited to see what this new competition will bring. We’re hoping for some creative and unique filmic takes on the region.

To enter this competition you must upload your videos at www.northeastmovies.co.uk/series and click on Portrait of a Region. The closing date for entrants is Friday 17th October, so get filming!