Young Blaenau Gwent film makers are helping people stay safe with instructional video

Children from Blaenau Gwent have been working with an award-winning media company to script, direct and film instructional videos showing people how to properly wash their hands and socially distance to stay safe during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The young people have been working with Tredegar-based Cymru Creations on a Police and Crime Commissioner funded project to create films based on experiences from their own lives.

Since lockdown began they have continued to work from home, supported by their tutors, working on scripts and practising with video equipment.

Kevin Phillips, of Tredegar-based Cymru Creations, said: “Our tutors have been supporting our students throughout the lockdown period to make sure they have all the support they need to continue to make their films.

“We have been working remotely with all of our young people to ensure they are staying engaged and positive during this difficult time. We are really proud of all of them for the way that they have managed to continue to work on their films, and we hope to see them all again in person soon.”

The young people are responsible for every part of the process, from developing the stories, writing the scripts, acting, filming and editing.

At the end of the project, each student will have a prestigious Arts Award in film making from Trinity College London, whom Cymru Creations works closely with to provide the first step towards the equivalent to a GCSE in the Arts.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, said: “These young people have done a fantastic job. This project has given them something positive to channel their energy into at a very difficult time and has helped ensure they have the opportunity to be creative and continue learning during the lock down.”

Cymru Creations received funding for the project from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent’s Community Fund, which provides funding for non-profit organisations that work with children and young people who may be at risk of becoming involved with crime or anti-social behaviour, or have been victims of crime.

See the videos on the Blaenau Gwent Film Academy’s YouTube channel.