Transitions Film: An amazing project leaving a profound effect…. When a group of 50 young people with learning difficulties made a film about their transition from school to college, from work to independent living, no one quite realised the impact it would have… The young people, aged between 16 and 21, and their parents and carers, wanted a resource to share their experiences. So Kennet Planning and Development Group for people with learning disabilities, Connexions and Wiltshire County Council funded the project - and Mobile Media, from Create Studios, delivered it. There were taster sessions - to see which students wanted to be involved in the Transitions film – and these included opportunities to try animation, interviewing and camera work. Filmmaker Gurchetan Singh, Animator Helen Whelehan and other artists worked with the students teaching them camera, sound, directing, interviewing skills - and reflective animations, depicting their emotions on the transition process.

At the subsequent sessions it became clear that instead of making a selection of participants, everyone wanted to be involved. So they chose the stories to be told, and everyone else became part of the film crew.

Deeply moved

Marilyn Fitzgerald, Production Manager, explained, “We were all deeply moved by the experience. In fact, if we had ended the project after the last film day and not even made the eventual film (which incidentally is fantastic!) we would still have delivered an amazing project and had a fabulous experience with each of the groups. The impact and professionalism of the final piece, and the profound positive effect the filmmaking process has had on building confidence, communication skills and team-working has been beyond what the commissioning team had ever imagined possible.

“In fact it has helped to develop new approaches to Create’s practice. It’s given us an in-depth experience of working with young people with learning difficulties and highlighted things we need to be aware of in the future.”

Fantastic

Paul Myles, Special Needs Co-ordinator for Connexions, Wiltshire said, “The project met all of our expectations and more. We couldn’t have dreamt it would be so fantastic. Thanks to Mobile Media and the whole team for not just creating a brilliant film but also providing such an excellent learning experience for all the young people who took part. With so much positive feedback to date, I'm really looking forward to it reaching a wider audience.”

A participant from Trowbridge College said, "It was awesome. Gurch is fantastic. I would love to be involved again."

Glynis Galloway, mum of Alex Galloway, Devizes School, said, “I have been amazed to see the development in Alex’s confidence since he has been working on this project.”