PRE-PRODUCTION: Inpiration through films

 Mine and my partner Patria production is a British, London based production inspired mainly by society, youth culture and the issues which are arising within society. I feel passionately about issues within society which is sculpted by the youth with underlining issues founded by government, family and gang culture. Through personal experiences we decided to make a drama short film which is also educational and expresses the issues and make them more known.


In regards to this I feel that since year 2000 there has been an on growing focus on youth culture from the British film industry mostly in the independent filming section. I feel these are important as it gives scenarios to our youth and provides outcomes. Television Drama has also played an important part in the revealing of issues within London through youth culture. Channel 4 funded and broadcasted a North West London television drama which was also television first interactive TV drama. The name of this TV drama is named ‘Dubplate’. It identified music as an extremely big influence in youth culture and used this as a core theme which evolved to cover issues such as gun violence, gang culture, drugs, money and music. I believe this is important as it gives a sense of reality to the viewer and attracted a young audience of the years of 14 – 25 which is the same age range which I wish to attract in my production.
Dubplate used only British actors and actresses around the underground grime scene in music and unsigned artists who were evolving into mainstream music. The cast who were also familiar with the music scene made music which was used as soundtracks and within the series. A well known Mc known as Shystie played the name character and also made tracks which were incorporated into the TV drama. Also known actors from similar focussed films were used such as Adam Deacon and Noel Clarke in Adulthood and Kidulthood.
What impressed me about this TV drama is that they worked for a positive cause, they also worked closely with Child line. They advertised this show through free downloads, CD’s and blogs and social networking sites such as twitter, face book and myspace.

The main movie which mine and Patria production is inspired by is ‘Kidulthood’ produced in 2006. This is an inspiring movie as it was made by unknown actors based on London Youth culture and was a very successful movie.
The films themes were

·         Growing up

·         Robbery and shop lifting

·         Dealing with emotions – love and hate

·         Gun culture

·         Police and authority and rebellion

·         Relationship breakdowns

·         Money

·         Gender roles in current society

·         Sex

·         Parties and lifestyle

·         Violence

·         Teenage pregnancy

·         Bullying and consequences (suicide)

·         Importance of family and belonging

·         Working class

The genre of Kidulthood is indentified as a drama.

Filming LocationsThe filming for this film was done all in London locations this represents the British culture and allows the viewers to relate.  The main sites where the shooting took place were; Ladbroke Grove, London, UK... Oxford Street, London, UK... and Notting Hill, London, Uk.

In addition to this ideally I would like to shoot in similar areas however I can foresee problems with getting permission from the government. Furthermore I will visit different sites where the public are less likely to be to avoid any problems in shooting in areas.

Sound TrackMusic was made by underground grime artists of a young age. Some of the films featured in the film are as followed

• Mike Skinner – Blinded by the lights
• Lethal Bizzle – Pow
• Shystie – One wish

By using underground artists I feel it has a bigger impact on the target audience as they are people who they will be familiar with. Also, in a production sense the use of these artists is extremely productive because being an Independent British film company developing this film they have a low budget compared to an American funded company.
Year of production: 2005
Running time: 90 mins
Director: Menhaj Huda
Producers: Menhaj Huda, George Isaac
Editor: Victoria Boydell
Screenwriter: Noel Clarke
Director of Photography: Brian Tufano BSC
Production Design: Murray Mckeown
Casting Director: Amanda Tabak
Principal cast: Aml Ameen, Red Madrell, Jaime Winstone

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