21 December 2009

SOMERSET GLOBAL COLLECTIVE ATTEND TRUE TUBE FILM -BY TONYA GREENIDGE

On the 28th of November two of Somerset Global Collective members attended a Film event for young campaigners, volunteers and filmmakers hosted by True Tube and the British Film Institute in Southbank, London. Using public transport to attend the event and getting goodie bags upon entry, we saw a selection of short films by young film makers addressing issues such as stereotyping, under age drinking and self harm.
We attended a Public Speaking workshop run by a local singer, who addressed the key points of public speaking such as elocution, projection and conviction. She also advised us of things that can be done to improve public speaking like tongue twisters (elocution and pronunciation), sit ups (improve lung capacity and projection) and sound checking if using a microphone.
After a tasty lunch we attended Young Persons Question Time, with screenings of young people’s films and responses from Michael Mansfield QC (represented the families of Stephen Lawrence and Jean Charles de Menezes) Richard Taylor (MP Wyre Forest) and Tim Lawton (Shadow Minister for Children). It was interesting, similar to Question time, only with an audience of youths. The guests listened to what people had to say and responded with fairly direct answers, issues raised included Turf Wars, Prevent Agenda and Broken Britain.
Later we went to a Creative Writing Workshop and in groups wrote a piece on what you would do if you were prime minister. The results were mixed, each piece raised different points giving the impression that young people are severely disenfranchised from the political process.
The last workshop of the day was a campaign workshop with Dubble, the fair trade chocolate bar (yes they were giving away Dubble bars). Looking back on the event it was defiantly worth putting up with the public transport for such an interesting day. We enjoyed the train journey back with Dubble bars and True Tube USB sticks.

For more info on the event go to: http://www.truetube.co.uk/media.php?do=detail&mediaid=1487