High Hopes of TV Success

WHEN First Take opened its doors to arts organisations across the Northwest, it specialised in video and production training for community groups. But there was always a bigger picture waiting in the wings.

“I suppose you could say we’ve always had huge ambitions,” confides Lynne Harwood, who as one of three directors at First Take, has helped to spearhead the company’s campaign to broaden its horizons.

And now it has. Indeed, the title of its latest production, High Hopes, reflects the company’s growing remit, and marks its first foray into broadcasting.

In recognition of its impressive reputation, First Take has been awarded the prestigious Facility of the Month accolade by Northwest Vision and Media, which works on behalf of the region’s TV, film, radio and digital content industries.

“We’ve been working in the industry since 1983 and have managed to win several awards for our programmes with young people, including projects with Barnardos Young Carers and North West Disability Arts Forum,” explains Lynne. “It’s great to be named as Facility of the Month, as it proves we’re continuing to offer the broadest range of high quality services.”

Although business continues to be brisk, and First Take has built up a robust reputation, the company has always been eager to expand.

“We’ve always been keen to enter into co-production, which is why we’ve worked with companies like Hope Street Ltd, Dream Ticket and Splinter Theatre Group in the past,” says Lynne. “But we’ve always been hungry for more.”

That’s why the business has entered into a unique co-production project with Sydvest Films, based in Stravanger, Norway. “We’ve always had an eye on broadcasting and we’re hoping the series we’re producing with Sydvest will help to kick-start us into the broadcast arena,” confides Lynne.

Commissioned in part by the Liverpool Culture Company, High Hopes follows the lives and aspirations of 10 teenagers approaching adulthood, five living in Liverpool, five in Stravanger. They’re each very different communities, but they share a common link – both are Capitals of Culture in 2008.

“The documentary series is a graphic example of what it’s like to be growing up in Liverpool and Stavanger in 2008 and we’re hoping it’ll serve as a lasting record for generations to come,” Lynne explains. “The characters we highlight in the films all have a particular driving passion, a dream - high hopes.”

One of the characters, Fern, for example, dreams of hitting the big time as a footballer and has just reached the final for England in the women’s U19s. It is the first time ever that England has been in the final. Jane Farley, one of the directors of the series and also one of the directors of First Take, went to Iceland to film the match.

Meanwhile, Pippa, a young mum, is determined to succeed as an actor and has recently played the lead in Dirty Dancing. Devere, another of the young people with High Hopes, is a garage MC in Toxteth. He MCs against violence of any kind since his brother was shot dead, and has just signed a recording deal and is looking for an agent.

In stark contrast in Norway, Hanne, is into guns in a big way, her high hope is to become ‘The Shooting Princess’, the highest national recognition of her marksmanship.

“We’ve aimed the series at a young audience, and artistically it will be fast paced and edgy, packed with images, special effects, and music. But there’ll also be great emotional depth and strong storylines,” says Lynne.

There are certainly high hopes for the success of High Hopes. But First Take also has several other high profile projects currently in development.

Working with ITV Granada and Northwest Vision and Media, the company recently launched From Scratch To Screen, an innovative project to make five short films, and hopefully discover the hidden talents of 200 socially excluded people at the same time.

“In October we’re offering workshops on scriptwriting in Burnley, Blackpool and Preston, which will enable up and coming scriptwriters to develop ideas which will then evolve into screenplays, and eventually into five films,” explains Lynne.

All the skills needed to make the films will be taught by industry professionals and there’ll be opportunities too for learning directing, producing, script editing, production managing and film editing.

“Like many of the projects First Take excels in delivering, From Scratch To Screen is all about allowing talented people who wouldn’t usually be able to access filmmaking facilities or teaching, the chance they need to learn the craft,” says Lynne.

The company’s pioneering Distinct Voices Diverse Lives project is now in its 2nd year, bringing together 10 new filmmakers and 15 new writers to undergo intensive training, eventually producing five short films.

Lynne devised the writing part of the course. “Distinct Voices Diverse Lives is brilliant in the way it brings writers and filmmakers together after they have been trained,” she says.

"It's great when, after each of the writers have written their three minute film, they have to pitch their ideas to the Director/AD teams. All the writers dread pitching but after it's over they always feel that it was a fantastic experience."

Giving new talent even more opportunities, and film experience, will continue to be at the top of First Take’s agenda. But so too, will be that broadcasting goal.

“We’ve made our mark on the industry by producing issue-based programmes, documentaries and promos, and by working with a range of diverse and socially excluded communities throughout the Northwest. We certainly intend to continue that work, but there’s so much more we can offer,” says Lynne. “So that’s what we’re going to do.”

· For more information contact First Take on 0151 708 5767 or write to First Take, 13 Hope Street, Liverpool L1 9BH or email all@first-take.org

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