Film City
Production Agency

Eil

The Film City crew and a large crowd of interested onlookers gather for the arrival of the Americans

The Americans look bemused at their prestigious welcome

EIL project 2007

US filmmakers in the UK to make documentary on British Youth Culture.

12 American young people are in the UK this July as part of an exciting filmmaking project, organised by EIL (Experiments in International Living). After a few days sightseeing in London, the group travelled to Derby to learn filmmaking techniques with Film City Production Agency in association with the Joseph Wright Centre. Training under the tutorlage of the legendary Roger Knott-Fayle, the group will are taking their newly aquired skills around the UK to Gloucester, Liverpool and Bradford, creating their film as they go. The group then return to Derby to learn editing techniques and complete their film, which will be shown on the BBC Big Screen in Derby's City Centre on Monday 23rd July [time TBC].

The group will meet filmmaking and media students from the Joseph Wright Centre [JWC], who will help the group get a perspective on both British Youth Culture and filmmaking in the UK. Students from the JWC showed a selection of their films on Monday 2nd July 8pm at the Five Lamps Film Night to an appreciative audience.

Check this page for regular updates, blogs, images and clips from the project... _______________________________________________________________

The group start work under the guidance of RKF [Roger Knott-Fayle]

What does this camera thing do again?

chelsea and claire [US]
1st July 2007

hey guys! this is chelsea and claire. we are at the film place in derby, and we are having a blast. we have just had lunch and hung out with some british guys who showed us parts of the town. they took us to a milkshake/smoothie place called ShakeOut and it was great! we are practicing saying "cheers" instead of thanks since thats what the english say. we learned (the hard way) that the british mostly dont like the spice girls. a bunch of us girls are excited that they are getting back together. hahaha.

this morning we heard about the bombings in london (or the potential bombings) and everyone should know we are FINE. its nothing to worry about as far as our safety.

tonight we have made tentative plans to hang out with the boys we met, mikey and chris. hopefully sienna will let us go out. =] they are going to introduce us to some more british guys, mostly "football" players.

most of the evenings everyone from the group hangs out in one of the rooms and thats a pretty good time. the jet-lag has mostly worn off but we still stay up until at least midnight or one every morning. waking up is hard though. haha

ahh, the traditional english breakfasts.... we are of mixed opinions about that. some of us like it but some people choose to just have toast. even that is different - they serve it cooled so that they butter doesnt melt easily. _______________________________________________________________

The group start to look almost professional

Mikey [UK]
1/7/07

Met aload of Americans, intresting people, don't really know much about the English way of life but lovely people non the less. Cant understand much of the things that we are saying, so we have to talk really slow for them.

Just got back from Muma Janes (Fast food restaurant) show them how real brits dine. They are here to attempt to create a film about or involving british youth culture, so aka Chavs and Emos, should be able to show them a couple of those. For some reason they think that us English football supporters are all football hooligans, shows us what they think of us as a nation hey! _______________________________________________________________

Out on location in sunny Derby

Jacob Paul [US]
1st July 2007

Hi everyone. I'm Jacob Paul, summer film student from White Plains, New York. Here in Derby, besides studying film at Film City, I am also hoping to shoot a short film which I wrote and shall direct, using the city as my set. All cast and crew in the film will be my fellow participants in the EIL UK film program _______________________________________________________________

The crews do their best to work in the overwhelming sunshine

Amelia Holmes [US]
July 2nd 2007

'Ello there! I'm Amelia and I'm from Hadlyme, Connecticut. Today began with a horribly random downpour that drenched my poor pants! Thankfully, the group survived the rain and we entered the studio, ready to learn more about lighting. After making some people look as though they were in some creepy horror movie, we created short interviews that integrated our new knowledge of lighting and our understanding of the camera.

We are currently waiting for a group to come back from having lunch (silly kids and their shopping). We're all anticipating our chat we may be having tomorrow about the theme for our film. We've had loads of fun talking to the English blokes about the differences between our cultures, and we will miss them while we are at our homestays. That's all for now, but stay tuned for the next update! _______________________________________________________________

The crew filming near a wall

CHRIS LAING [UK]
2nd July 2007

WILLIAM WALLACE

My main role in this experience was to film the Americans in their studies; it has been what I would call an experience.

Let me ask u an important question...do you like pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain.

Vote Gordon Brown _______________________________________________________________

The concentration levels reach critical

Diddy Pop [UK]
2nd July 2007

Since we had our guests from across the pond pay us a visit the experience has been somewhat interesting indeed. Although we expected them to take a much more laid back approach, it is us natives who have found ourselves to be the more idle and comic approach to the situation. I eagerly anticipate any films created by us and our foreign 'homies'

The results should be quite intriguing...

So far so good though, I wonder if we should expose our friends to the wonders of a good old kebab =]

Tah tah for now _______________________________________________________________

If you look at the camera for long enough, it's bound to do something...

Ryan & Ruthie [US]
July 3, 2007

Today marks the one week point for our trip, and the general feeling is that it's been a lot longer since we all left JFK. We still can't get that not-too-funny "Shoes" song out of our heads, and that's all because of our good friend Phil. Even as we write this, someone's singing it...for what seems the one millionth time, at least.

Anyways, we're going to the homestays tomorrow and for the most part, people are excited about that. There haven't been any fights since we've been here except for one breaking out behind us as we speak, which is getting really intense...while Phil remains pretty amused playing with the smartboard. In terms of the film, we're starting to get some of the material down, and our training has been intense, but now we're figuring out the subject under the guidance of "Jolly Roger", Kem, Adam, and Jules.

And as Katlyn makes Mikey bleed, the constant NON-STOP rain continues, but we're coping with that moderately well....we think.

Well, that's all for now....See ya _______________________________________________________________

The group master the finer points of the artistry known as lighting

SIM 1 & PHIL [US]
July 3rd, 2007

Today marks the one week anniversary of the UFC! (Unbreakable Film Crew) We've seen heaps of sights and experienced much British culture! We've enjoyed further exploring our respective interests in film and video production! By the close of our intensive film training, we will have learned about lighting, exposure, camera equipment, sound, white balance and composition!

Last night we attended a local film screening which allowed us to experience some of the work of students in and around Derby! It was a fun night and allowed us to mingle with local youth! We are all having a great time and look forward to departing this city for our home stay in Gloucester!

Currently, we are formulating a plan of action for our coming document on British youth culture! Some of us are even formulating our own shorts to add to the group DVD!

Is this cliche? Good!
Are there too many explanation points? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG, SHOES!

Sincerely!
SIMONE AND PHIL!! _______________________________________________________________

Getting to grips with interview techniques

The classic crew setup in all its glory

Bowen [US]
3rd July 2007

A long day of talking and not much accomplished. we tried to figure out the theme of our movie, and ended up talking in circles for quite a while. none of us can quite figure out what our film should be about. the three main themes seem to be: music and pop culture, ethnic groups, and politics, with the recent terror threats fighting to be noticed. we just broke up the deliberations to have some free time and let it all cook for a while. hopefully it will all reach a peaceful conclusion _______________________________________________________________

A meeting of summit proportions as US and UK minds meet

The intensity of the talks mean the group forget to have lunch

Things get serious as the day wears on

The discussions go on well into the night...

A breakthrough in the talks! Peace is agreed and everyone is happy?

The group discover 'computers' and are suitably amazed by this piece of technology hitherto unknown outside of the UK

The group use a new thing called t'internet to research stuff

4th July 2007

Roger Knott-Fayle [UK]
("The commander")

It was only three days ago I met this group of young Americans, it seems like much longer. We have looked at how to set up camera equipment, lighting and microphones. How to work in a production team, we've talked and laughed and made friends. And now as I write they are downstairs working as fully functioning production teams, and they really look like they know what they are doing.

Yesterday we had a small hurdle to overcome - deciding on a theme for the video they are going to make over the next few weeks. I could see some people getting really wound up. But overnight they have come together behind an idea and this morning they've got smiling faces and seem relaxed and happy.

They are a very bright bunch. They are enthusiastic and open hearted.

In my opinion here's the point of the whole project: In the end it's not about filming - that's just a vehicle. I have watched the group break through the stereotypes of nation, and start to see the people and places around them from a new perspective. It's been the same for the Brits too. That's the point isn't it?

I should mention the Brits. We have been looked after and supported by a hardcore group of British students who have been great. And I have to say Happy Birthday to one of them Diddy (is that right?) Happy birthday.

So here we are: The final morning of training and preparation is coming to an end. A group that were strangers a week ago have become a supporting and cohesive group. Strangers no more.

Time to start the journey; an auspicious day to hit the road _______________________________________________________________

The crew perfect their art and corner unwitting interviewees in the Joseph Wright Centre

5th July 2007
Juels FC [UK]

Big thanks to all the Joseph Wright's staff and students...especially Martin P, G, Russ and Claudine!! I don't think the project so far would have been half as interesting as it has been without the JW students on board and I think the staff did a great job enabling this to happen!

The JW students show at 5 Lamps was a storming success and we're looking fwd to the legacy of finalist shows which that has surely created - well done everyone and thanks for the evening entertainment.

I think it was a tough call for the US group to come up with a theme for the British youth culture documentary but i figure this would have been harder to do without the support of the JW students. My favorite parts of the project so far have been the cultural exchanges through the mini competitions and brainstorming sessions...I have to thank the JW students for drawing attention to some fascinating aspects of youth culture UK such as the arm slapping game and the apparent popular rise in cross dressing....I had no idea.

I don't think I have ever worked with a group of students as positive and upbeat as our group from the US and I have to commend them on their research and thoughtful consideration of the difficult subject matter they've chosen to undertake....I also do not recall having seen a UK based documentary that focuses on the opinions and experiences of young people concerning the war on terror, and it's universally felt consequences.... This promises to be a worthwhile production and am sure it will be an important piece of media...In the words of the great RKF..it's been something of a proper sick experience for us all... happy travels to the crew...ps ...look after Sienna and Kemal ..see you guys for the edit _______________________________________________________________

'I think we're ready to hit the streets of Gloucester' thinks one of the team

5th July 2007
Adam (Film City) [UK]

The calm after the storm...

The group are now in Gloucester with their homestay families - a unique experience in itself. At Film City we have had the pleasure of overseeing the group's stay in Derby, along with the Joseph Wright Centre. One of the biggest successes, for me, has been the integration of the US group with the filmmakers from the JWC and Derby. It has meant that the US group we not just learning their filmmaking trade in isolation, and that the training itself was something of a cultural experience. Thank you to both the US and UK groups for their enthusiasm and positive attitudes in making that possible. 3 and a half days training with Mr Knott-Fayle has prepared the group for filming on their tour of the UK [plus many more life-skills to boot], and I'm sure they will pick up many more skills along the way under the guidance of the group leaders Sienna and Kemal.

We now wait patiently for the tapes to start arriving in the post... _______________________________________________________________

Ryan Salim [US]
July 23, 2007

After a month, it's come down to this: the last day of editing. We filmed, sent our footage back, and now we're done. It seems unreal, almost. This past month has seemed like nothing, looking back...

But we've done A LOT

First, we headed off to Gloucester, where we stayed with local families for a week. It was here that our project began. I can remember it clearly: the planning meetings at Starbucks, getting interviews right off the streets, and working together as one cohesive unit. It's been great. We did a lot there -- visited the cathedral where part of Harry Potter were filmed, went to Cardiff, hung out in the park, dry skiing, tubing, -- and got off to a great start

Then, we zoomed off to Liverpool. It was a great place, though we were thrown off track by a little wear-and-tear issue with the camera: the eject button for the tape deck had broken. Luckily for us, though, Adam drove up and brought us a new camera, which we greatly appreciate. With that, we were able to get back on track, taking charge to get as much work done as possible in a now even smaller time period. Aside from that, we went to the Beatles Museum, FACT, and the HUB festival -- where we got great footage

From Liverpool, we came to Bradford, where things really got into gear. Thanks to our guides -- the twin Kamrans -- we were able to get so much useful footage for the film. Every day there was a schedule, and the planning was very well done. We met lots of great young people, went bowling -- where we learned Phil's a great casual bowler -- and just took in the sights. It was great

Finally, we came back here, to Derby. The editing process took one and one-half days, which is amazing for the amount of footage we had from the previous weeks. And now, it's done, and it's so exciting as we wait for our film to be shown on the big screen here. Our time here is really winding down: after today, we head off to London, and the next day, we leave for home. It's been great here _______________________________________________________________

Comparative Differences Between Cultures of Scotland and Texas
[from a Scot and a Texan in Derby]

by Alex (A) [US] and Chris (C) [UK] (23rd July 07)
[edited highlights]

C: today is our last day at JWC wiv da yanks

A: today is our last day with the Brits (thank God)

C: we hav been talkin bout the stuff that we hav experienced... i av been nufin but a distraction to the yanks, but we luv them wiv all ov our black hearts

A: The Brits have actually been quite entertaining, but kind of annoying at some points in time. Chris put on a lovely display a few weeks back at the Five Lamps Pub. Hopefully that will be repeated this evening

C: am gonna get smashed...probably on water

A: lightweight...as you can see...the culture of Britain revolves much around what we in the States label "alcohol"

C: i declare my luv 4 italian pizza

A: I declare my love of curry

C: i av fell asleep soooooooooooooooooo many times in class that it isnt even funny any more

A: This trip has been a personal journey full of learning and living!... there once was this fellow named chris, at the five lamps he got pissed and gave some stranger a kiss, he dropped to his knees in front of the toilet and went to heavenly bliss

C: i woz inlightened bout thee funny yanks, such greats as chris rock, dave chappelle, and to all ov da yanks that hate me......i luv u all....MWAH

A: British comedy doesn't make sense

C: a man walks into a bar......"ouch"

A: My point exactly...

C: i learned a lot bout the american sports such a weird sport woz lacrosse, thats bout it

A: I learned about the amazing Scottish sports of competitive drinking and curling

C: the yanks av learnt the great british art ov cross dressing, sumfin that we all love, even tho sum ov us r more open bout it

A: eh...not so much learnt as much as forced to observe it. Sad. Terrifying

C: i like cake!

A: I like nothing. but pain (added by Chris)

What kind of people did you meet?

A: Drunks and psychics

Have you ever worn clothes from the opposite sex?

A: Well yes, but that's acceptable in society for a woman to do

C: once wen i woz a kid i wore my cuzinz dress

What will you miss most?

A: The Brits (a shout out to Mikey and Chris)

C: ditto to the yanks same but to alex and the boo, ryan and da rest)

How will you cope with your departure?

A: Eat my feelings

C: cry into a bowl ov cornflakes

Name some of the experiences you've had

A: I went dry-slope skiing, met the best looking man alive (Mark Donald) and cried about the Beatles break-up

C: i met the best lukin guy aswell....me!!!! god im a hansom devil
[interview seemed to end here as chris got distracted by a host of mirrors in the room...] _______________________________________________________________

AND FINALLY...
The screening event on the Derby Big Screen Market Square on the final night of the US groups stay [EIL project] ... After a hectic and tense milkshake driven day in the edit, and after the heavy schedule of press calls - "quick we 're live on Radio Derby, what's the film called again?" ... The Screening - a little later than planned but worth the wait. See the film, 'Beyond Silence' now on the cinedrome.

The Film City team wish to thank the Students and Facilitators both UK and US and Louise Angell and The Big Screen Derby Team. We would also like the American students to look out on the forum over the next few weeks for their project pages to become interactive ... after which we would appreciate info, links, films and anything media project related to be uploaded ... including your progressions into the industry and feedback on the films we will be making and showing on the forum with students in the UK over the next few months!
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