Act 2 Cam
| File:ACT 2 CAM Logo and Motto.png | |
| Founded | 2008 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | |
| Industry | Drama school |
| Website | act2cam.com |
| Current status | Active |
Act 2 Cam is a drama school based in the UK.
Students age 5-17 learn to devise drama from their own ideas, using a wide variety of collaborative, creative processes and improvisation techniques.[1]
Act 2 Cam is registered with Ofsted, the UK's official body for inspecting schools and standards in education. This move was taken to assure quality control and also to qualify for the UK government's Childcare voucher scheme.[2]
Ethos[edit]
The drama school does not test, grade, or audition. Director Stephen Woods claims, "More than a school, we are a big family, where all our everyone has something to give and something to learn; where there is a place and a purpose for all; where young people are at the heart of everything we do."[3]
Over 10 years, students have been posting on Social media using the hashtag #ACT2FAM
History[edit]
Act 2 Cam began as an after school drama club in 2008 at Polam Hall School in Darlington, originally under the name "DIY Drama" (Devised, Improvised, Youth Drama). Over a period of 2 years DIY Drama invited students from schools in the region to showcase their GCSE and A Level performing arts work to camera.[4]
In January 2010, Act 2 Cam began work with a small group of 20 young people aged 11 to 18 in Whitley Bay, to devise, perform and film Beanz, which premiered at Tyneside Cinema.[5] In May 2010 ACT 2 CAM took on more cast and crew, and began delivering screen acting classes to 8- to 18-year-olds. A summer camp followed in July 2010, where Jo Ward, executive producer of Tracy Beaker, and Lisa Coleman attended the group.[6] Over one week a cast and crew of 22 young people collaborated to make the film, Mystery Babylon, which premiered at Tyneside Cinema in May 2011.[7] In 2011 the company opened up 15 more centres in Durham, Harrogate, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Morpeth, Newcastle, York, Sunderland and Leeds.[8]
In November 2011, Act 2 Cam released Such is Life, a collection of dramatic tales devised by young people, with soundtrack by Lee Perry.[7]
In August 2018, ACT 2 CAM formed its acting agency for young people, with the intention or representing its students for professional work.[9]
The Cullercoats Fishlass[edit]
In September 2012, following 3 Summer Camps at the Forest of Dean, Alton Castle and Bootham School, Act 2 Cam moved premises to The Linskill Centre.[10] A new project was launched, entitled The Big Film.[11]
Over the course of 10 months from 2012–2013, the company worked on its first feature film, which was shot in July 2013. The film, entitled The Cullercoats Fish Lass follows the fortunes of a Cullercoats Fish Lass living in Edwardian times.[12][13]
In January 2013, Mark Knopfler, lead guitarist of British rock band Dire Straits donated £1000 to fund the project.[14][15]
The film raised money for the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade and DVDs were given to local schools.
Failbook[edit]
In September 2013, Act 2 Cam began work on its second Big Film Project, this time expanding the age range to provide acting and filmmaking opportunities for adults. The company joined up with the charity, "North East Hearts and Goals", aiming to provide defibrillators for public spaces.
The film went into production in April 2015 and was released in November. The story explores social acceptance and social dominance in schools, and also aims to provide contemporary life saving skills to young people.
It was sponsored by WellMedical, and includes an interview with Professor Douglas Chamberlain, CBE, KSG the British cardiologist who founded the first paramedic unit in Europe, revolutionising pre-hospital clinical care.[16][17]
Newcastle United footballing legend Peter Beardsley also makes a guest star appearance.
Techniques[edit]
There is an emphasis on collaborative creativity, with cast and crew working and making decisions in groups. Techniques are taught which promote teamwork and interactive skills, with a practical learning approach:[18]
- Applied Drama
- Forum theatre
- Image theatre
- Improvisation
- Invisible theatre
- Process drama
- Stanislavski's system
- Theatresports
- Theatre Games
Influences[edit]
The company is eclectic in its approach, drawing from the work of several education and drama philosophy sources. The most significant influences on work are:
Films[edit]
- Beanz (2010)
- Blood on the Catwalk (2011)
- The Good Barber (2011)
- Mystery Babylon (2011)
- Such is Life (2011)
- The Kingham Hill Project (2011)
- Beggars' Teeth (2012)
- Youth of Today (2012)
- Cheery Little Stories (2013)
- The York Films (2013)
- The Cullercoats Fishlass (2013)
- Thespis (2014)
- Til Death Do Us Part (2014)
- Failbook (2015)
- Shok (2016)
- Flicker (2017)
- Life of Reilly (2017)
- Gate 18 (2018)
References[edit]
- ↑ "ACT 2 CAM on IMDb". Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ↑ "ACT 2 CAM at Ofsted". Ofsted. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ↑ "ACT 2 CAM Facebook".
- ↑ "DIY Drama DVD". Sham Films Ltd. Archived from the original on 10 August 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ↑ Barbara Hodgson (10 January 2010). "Youth Premiere for Young Film Makers". The Journal.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ Kimberley Walker. "Film Makers Take Over School as Special Guest is Announced". Recognition Marketing and PR. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "ACT 2 CAM titles". ACT 2 CAM. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ↑ "Budding actors have a chance in the spotlight". Morpeth Herald. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ↑ Love, Laura (12 September 2018). "Film Company Looking for Children to Audition for Roles". Teesside Live.
- ↑ "Linskill Centre Newsletter" (PDF). The Linskill Centre. 1 September 2012.
- ↑ "The Big Film". Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ↑ "North Tyneside to become a film set". Sky News, Tyne and Wear. 28 November 2012. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ↑ "The Big Film 2012–2013". Bdaily. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ↑ Hayley Revell (17 April 2013). "Dire Straits Legend Funds Youth Film Group". News Guardian.
- ↑ Hugh Macknight (19 April 2013). "Dire Straits Legend Mark Knopfler's Costume Drama Donation". Sky News, Tyne and Wear. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ↑ Lynch, Lucy (17 November 2008). "Special day for two Coventry University people". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
- ↑ "Horsham district men are honoured". District Post. 29 June 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
- ↑ Paul Vale (16 June 2011). "Focus on Part Time Courses". The Stage.
External links[edit]
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