Culture bid turns residents into filmmakers

A film funded by the Liverpool Culture Company had its first public screening on October 22 at the Bluecoat Theatre, Liverpool.
'City of Dreams', one of more than 100 community projects funded by the Liverpool Culture Company, was created by people from the Alt Valley community in north Liverpool to help the area's 'development masterplan'.
The film project saw more than 50 hours of video footage and eight hours of soundtrack edited down into a 25-minute film made up of five short videos - each one based on a fictional street in the area. Showing on a mammoth 10 by 7.5 ft screen, it will be exhibited at the Bluecoat until Friday, October 25 before going on tour.
Sir Bob Scott, the man leading Liverpool's bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2008, said: "This film is one of the most imaginative projects we have had the pleasure to have been involved in. The people of Alt Valley have really used their imagination and creativity to produce a stunning and memorable piece of art.
"Everyone who will see it, will not fail to be moved by the quality of the film and the way the city has been portrayed without the usual and predictable images. The whole project has been an inspiration to everyone involved. Some people have even used the film as a platform to further their education and careers - proof that just by bidding the city is already reaping benefits."
Residents from across the Alt Valley area have attended workshops over the past nine months to write lyrics, compose music and record all the work on film.
The soundtrack was mixed in the Elevator Studios, while the footage was edited in 'Repo Man' director Alex Cox's media suite.
Project co-ordinator Ian Chambers, of Mersey Producers, said: "I think 'City of Dreams' has proved how much wealth of talent there is in Liverpool. The whole venture has been great fun and has given a lot of people a great deal of self-confidence. We can't wait to go on tour and show communities what can be achieved when they put their minds to it."
(GB)