The week-long course will see young people between 9 and 15 get hands-on with filmmaking, write, direct and create their own film, and shoot on location here at The Arches Theatre.
"What an amazing opportunity!"
Sparks Olney is part of Sparks Arts, the UK's leading provider of film and media activities for children and young people. It aims to inspire creativity and develop the talents of young movie makers aged between 9 and 15.
Run by a team of local experts, Sparks Olney's weekly filmmaking sessions and themed holiday camps provide a unique and practical movie production programme, which supports and develop students' creative talents, confidence and practical skills on and off the camera.
All sessions get young filmmakers stepping into the roles you'll find on an actual film set; from directing and camera work to scripting writing and acting on screen ... they will try it all!
The Holiday Camp will run from Monday the 22nd to Friday the 26th of August 2022 at East Street Community Centre, Olney for young people aged 9 to 15. The weeklong course will be jampacked with hands-on learning with filmmaking experts, David and Emily.
Students will learn every stage of the filmmaking process - creative and technical aspects, pitching ideas, storyboarding, scriptwriting, directing shots, camera operation, film editing and so much more.
By the end of the week, the young film crew will have written, filmed, starred in and edited their very own movie!
"How amazing is that?"
Plus, they will have the chance to film with us at The Arches Theatre, our outdoor venue in Clifton Reynes. We can't wait to see what they come up with. With the summer holidays getting ever closer, why not book a place on this inspiring filmmaking course. It gives young people a brilliant opportunity to try something new, gain new skills and meet other young people with similar interests.
If anything I've written in this blog post resonates with you and you'd like to discover more about Sparks Olney, it may be a great idea to give me a call on 01234 241357 and let's see how I can help.
David is the owner and Artistic Director of The Arches Theatre in Clifton Reynes near Milton Keynes. Productions are underneath some flood arches on the disused Midland railway line (Bedford to Northampton). It is equidistant from Bedford, Northampton and Milton Keynes. You bring your food, drink and chairs and enjoy the varied shows that are produced. This year - 2022 - there are 12 productions on throughout the season, from Shakespeare to Ripping Yarns plus a music weekend.
David has been involved in 'Light Ent' for many years, working with Ray Galton and Alan Simpson adapting the scripts of 'Steptoe and Son' and those of Tony Hancock to the stage. He has produced shows for Norman Wisdom (which makes him feel old), Al Murray, and Joe Pasquale amongst others, and also worked in the music business promoting and producing shows with Chas and Dave, Neil Inness, Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk and others of that ilk.
He is also the director of a film school for young people in his home town of Olney as well as supporting many local events.
He recently negotiated permission from Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais to stage a short run of 'Porridge' on stage which proved a success.
This year the annual charity performance at The Arches Theatre will be the last of 'Ripping Yarns' by Michael Palin and Terry Jones, with the profits being donated to The National Brain Appeal' for research into dementia as David's father and uncle died of it, as did Michael Palin's friend and writing partner Terry Jones. Last year they raised an astonishing £10,000 and are hoping to get somewhere close again with the support of audiences and sponsors.
David also has a stage hire company and his wife Julie runs a livery yard, so they are surrounded by horses, dogs, light entertainment and and a 17 year old daughter.
He plays in a comedy jazz band and collects strange props such as the Spitting Image puppets of Denis Thatcher and Alan Bennett, the child catchers bike from the stage show of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and various other 'things' all of which he sells to raise money for the Arches Theatre, although he always finds it hard to part from these props. However as the theatre receives no funding at all, he is always devising ways to keep it going! Sponsors are always welcome!
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