We hit the play button on Sunday on the January term of our fun, weekly filmmaking sessions. It was great to welcome back some familiar faces and also a number of new ones. Our group of young students gelled instantly ...
At Sparks Olney, our sessions are very much hands-on as this is the best way for young people to learn!
It was a fantastic session full of conversation, creative energy and fresh, new ideas. After our highly skilled tutors, David and Emily, carried out the classroom element of the session, where they discussed and refreshed the filmmaking process, equipment, creative roles etc, they introduced our students to this terms theme.
Each term we have a new theme to work with to keep our student's creativity alive enabling them to turn their hand to new ways of thinking and try new moviemaking techniques. This term we are working with the theme Double Acts!
This covers everything from Laurel and Hardy to Bonnie and Clyde. It also looks at buddy movies where a film portrays a close friendship between two people and also films where the two main characters hate each other.
There are so many different elements and avenues that students can go down to really explore creativity, ideas and group work. Watch this space to see what comes out of these discovery sessions. This is going to be another exciting term for us here at Sparks Olney.
Don't think that just because our term has just started that you won't be able to join. Students can join at any point. Our tutors are extremely supportive, nurturing and knowledgeable and will help all our students to succeed in their time with us.
Our sessions are very much hands-on as this is the best way for young people to learn. It allows them to really experience the moviemaking process and get a feel of what they are able to do and what they have a passion for.
If you are interested in finding out more or joining us for a free moviemaking trial session, take a look at our website to discover more. Our sessions run every Sunday from 10am - 12pm at The Olney Centre, Olney.
Until next time ...
DAVID PIBWORTH
Would you like to know more?
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 you.
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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