YOUTH ACTION (East Renfrewshire Youth Action Group)
Video and Multimedia Workshops
Jane McInally

“Basically, we feel that we are stereotyped in the media to be something that we’re not, and we want that to change. Hopefully, people will watch this and realise that we’re all decent and different …. and just what it’s like to be young (it’s a good thing!).”

East Renfrewshire Youth Action Group, February 2007

Using an experimental mix of documentary, animation and dramatisation, East Renfrewshire Youth Action Group has worked together under the guidance of artist Jane McInally (Fast Forward Play), to produce their first video short, presenting some of the issues effecting young people living in East Renfrewshire. The group has researched, planned, filmed, acted, interviewed and edited an exploration of the themes of youth identity and stereotyping, as presented in the media and on their streets.

As a crew, they have learned new skills and developed existing ones. The project has provided an introduction to camera-operation, sound recording, stop-frame animation and basic digital editing and post-production techniques. All have taken their turn behind the scenes and on the screen, involving members of the wider community via facilitating workshops and interviews.

In the group and individually, the young people have put forward their own views and ideas, researched their topic(s), scripted and storyboarded presentations, interviews and sketches –they’ve worked hard, and have had fun along on the way.