Search is on at Tyneside to find next teen film stars

Nov 27 2009 By The Journal

TEENAGERS keen to focus on a career in the world of film are invited to apply for Tyneside Cinema’s annual Northern Stars course.

The city-centre cinema is recruiting for the 2010 scheme which offers practical, hands-on experience in every aspect of film-making.

The Northern Stars Academy is aimed at local 15 to 18-year-olds who are passionate about the industry because the course - which is supported by Yipp Films and Northern Lights Film Festival, as well as the cinema – demands commitment.

On the course of the year, the young people will experience everything from script-writing and casting to directing and editing.

They’ll also work on a series of film production projects, weekend workshops and intensive training programmes.

The cost is £175 which includes travel, accommodation, meals and transport for the Gillian Dickinson Residential Film Camp, all training workshops and film screenings. Fees can be paid in instalments and there are a limited number of bursaries available.

This year’s participants had their short film, A/B Positive, shortlisted in the Best Film, aged 18-25, category of the Cinemagic Young Filmmaker 2009 Competition.

Holli McGuire, acting cinema projects manager at the Tyneside Cinema, said: "Northern Stars is a great way for talented young filmmakers in the North East to get professional training and realise that a career in the film industry is possible.

"We’ve had a huge amount of success with it over the past few years and I’m sure that this will continue next year."

Since it started in 2006, Northern Stars has trained 64 young people in skills which have helped them in media studies courses at university and in making their own films.

Some even obtained work experience on film sets, working as runners, make-up and set design assistants.

Exact dates for the 2010 course have not yet been drawn up but it will mostly take place over Thursday evenings and Saturdays from January through to May, with the residential film camp running one week of the Easter holidays.

Anyone interested in taking part in Northern Stars Young Filmmakers Academy at Tyneside Cinema in Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, can visit www.tynesidecinema.co.uk/nstars for more details on the scheme and application process.

The closing deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday, December 16.