An arts documentary production by Swingbridge Video about ‘Art Squad’, a project based at the Newcastle Arts Centre on Westgate Road that gives young people from deprived areas of the city the chance to learn and work in various arts-based professions. The film speaks with many of those involved in the project, both running and taking part, explaining what they have learned and what they have gained from taking part. The film also features five young girls producing their own radio programme,...

An arts documentary production by Swingbridge Video about ‘Art Squad’, a project based at the Newcastle Arts Centre on Westgate Road that gives young people from deprived areas of the city the chance to learn and work in various arts-based professions. The film speaks with many of those involved in the project, both running and taking part, explaining what they have learned and what they have gained from taking part. The film also features five young girls producing their own radio programme, teenagers learning to use DJ deck and a group of South Asian teenage girls work to create outfits to showcase at a fashion show they are producing. A letterbox montage featuring the closed eyes of several young men and women, their eyes open with the last person turning to look directly into the camera. From an elevated position the city of Newcastle and the Tyne Bridge changing to five young girls sitting around a table at WEB FM, in front of them a large microphone. A door at the Newcastle Arts Centre closes to reveal a poster attached to it that reads ‘Launch of Art Squad’. Inside a man in mayoral chains attempts to be a disc-jockey standing beside a pair of record turntables. A montage of young people talking to camera and a boy breakdancing, two teenage girls singing and waving and two of the girls seen previously being disc-jockeys on their radio show. A phantom walk or drive along a darked underpass, a video effect is used to make the camera shake. Title: Artsquad. Young People Taking Part Another montage featuring young people spinning records on a turntable, spraying walls with graffiti art and a band performing. Phil Browne, Urban Music Training explains that the project is all about participation changing to another room where a teenage a girl introduces a topic as if it were a television discussion programme about teenage pregnancy. Garry Clennel, Co-ordinator WEB FM explains that it is fun and fulfils a need for self-expression. Back radio studio the five girls work with a woman on a script for their radio programme. In an office Anne Nixon, a Youth Worker from Scotswood in Newcastle, explains that any youth worker relationship needs to be based on trust, honesty an openness. In a studio six seated teenage girls move left-and-right following the movement of the camera as it tilts violently in both directions. Houses on the Scotswood estate changes to a phantom walk along a corridor, through several doors into a room where the five young girls seen in the radio booth now sit writing notes on pieces of paper. Anne Nixon explains that the centre offer something of a taster session which can be taken forward by the young people potentially leading to them producing their own radio broadcast or drama production. In another part of the centre Phil Browne shows several teenagers how to spin records on a turntable. As he continues Heather Johnson, Trainee WEB FM explains how the training work. Phil then explains how over time the young people’s confidence grows. Standing outside the entrance of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Benwell two teenagers, Mandy and Sarah, introduce themselves and explain that they are going to show some of their favourite places. They stand on a piece of grass they call ‘the crypt’, beside them is Father Roger whom Mandy hugs. In a room a young girl sings into a microphone. As she continues to sing a phantom car ride along a street of semi-detached houses. From an elevated position rows of terraced houses changing children filmed in slow-motion walking along various street, three young boys play up for the camera. Back in her office Anne Nixon talks about how some of the children have failed at school and been absent and that the work they do here helps build their confidence and help them back into education. In a small workshop a woman helps three South Asian teenage girls use sowing machines, one of the girls puts on a garment she has made. She then explains that she is part of a Racial Harassment Girls Group and they are currently working on an upcoming fashion show. The film changes to her now wearing one of the garments she has produced. Back at St Joseph’s Catholic Church Father Roger explains to Mandy and Sarah that he has mixed feelings. Back in his office Phil Browne talks about how those who have taken part have learned the skills through tutoring to go of and do their own thing and be constructive. The West Road in Newcastle changes to a van parked outside the Newcastle Art Centre, a group of boy sit on a step nearby. Several young people involved with Art Squad talk about how and why they became involved with one young man explaining a new play ‘Black and White’ which will project mixed images with live performance about racism and differences between black and white. A scene from the play follows with a teenage boy standing in a white space being hit with black balloons. Two teenage girls explain what they like about Art Squad. Another phantom walk along a corridor into the radio studio of WEB FM where the girls continue to work putting together their radio programme. One of the girls talks about her trepidation about speaking on air. Anne Nixon talks about the transformation she has seen in those taking part, the growth in their confidence. One of the girls working at WEB FM stands at a podium singing into a microphone. Outside sitting on various bollards Mandy and Sarah sing and wave at the camera. In a darked room the three South Asian girls seen earlier perform a dance routine that will form part of their fashion show. They then walk up and down what will be a catwalk wearing the garments they’ve made alongside several other South Asian women. The film changes to show a Bhangra band performing on stage with a small crowd dancing along to the music. As the music continues a young man creates graffiti art with spray paint changing to another younger teenagers breakdancing on the floor. Three teenage girls stand or sit against a set of stairs, one of them explains why they have come tonight; to have a good time. As several teenager’s spin discs on turntables inside the Newcastle Art Centre the film intercuts comments from various teenagers and staff about what they think of the scheme and what they have learned. In the studio at WEB FM two of the girls seen earlier puts on a song, the first girl dedicating it to her mother. Everyone claps, she turns and smiles at the group. Garry Clennel talks about how the girls got excited and started planning to make the next show bigger and better. Following their fashion show, the girls from the Racial Harassment Girls Group reflect on how the show went. Anne Nixon explains that the benefit for the community is that young people are succeeding at something. In the studio at WEB FM one of the girls takes a telephone call, she works with her colleague making decisions about the show. Anne Nixon explains that it is pleasant to see something positive coming out of young people. Heather Johnson talks about how they have much more confidence in themselves and their own abilities; but needs the facilities in order to teach. Anne Nixon believes every young project should have an arts worker attached to it. Sitting on a bench Mandy and Sarah sing the Billy Ocean hit ‘When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going’. The film ends on a montage of comments and views of many of the young people featured in the film. Over the closing credits three of the South Asian girls from the Racial Harassment Girls Group dancing followed by the singer from the Bhangra group presenting certificates to some of the group. Title: Funded by The Arts Council of England / Millennium Festival Fund, Grainger Town Project, Newcastle City Council Title: A special thanks to all the participating organisations: Bright Stars, Elswick Girls Group, Live ‘N’ Loco Youth Drama, Open Clasp Theatre Company, Participation in Leisure, Them Wifies, Rabble Alliance, Racial Harassment Project, Swingbridge Video, West End Broadcast Title: Also Thanks to Irim Ali, Simon Caffrey, Pete Ferry, Children & Young Peoples Team, Critical Mass, Bex Mather, Andy Hardie, Gilly Love, Elaine Parker, Mill Lane Youth Centre, Newcastle Arts Centre, Newcastle College, Scotswood Support Centre, West End Youth Enquiry Service Title: Art Squad. For more information contact: Hugh Kelly @ Swingbridge Video 0191 232 3762 or Tony Dunne @ The City Arts Team Newcastle Civic Centre 0191 211 5610 The eyes featured at the start of the film and Mandy and Sarah laughing and running around a piece of street art. End title: An Arts Documentation Project by Swingbridge Video