Think you know young people ‘Inside Out’? … Think again!

7th September, 2010

Hard-hitting films have been produced by teams of youngsters who feel they have a message to get across.

The 35 teenagers, who attend Five Lamps ‘Youthy’, premiered their films at a special event at the Wynyard Rooms on 12 August 2010.

The films brought to life the issues of youth homelessness, unemployment and aspiration, lack of provision for young people, misrepresentation of young people, disability, and intergenerational difficulties.

The Youthy received funding for the equipment and expertise for the project. As well as giving the youngsters the chance to explore a topic and get a message across, it has also opened new opportunities to pursue careers and courses in the media or performing arts. Alex Ozols, Darren Iveson, Lauren Riddle and Kerry Parkinson all looked at the issue of homelessness.

Alex, 18, from Stockton, said: “I could get thrown out of my house tomorrow but before doing this I wouldn’t have a clue what to do, but now I know where to go.”

Kerry, 17, from Thornaby, said: “We worked with a girl who stayed in a hostel and we asked her what it was like and she said it was horrible and she’d rather stay on the streets than stay in a hostel.”

Alex added: “Maybe the film can help people recognise it’s bad and needs sorting out.”

Darren, 18, from Thornaby, said: “The film has made me feel more confident because I had to go up to people with a microphone and ask them questions. Before the project I wouldn’t have been able to do that.”

Lauren, 17, from Thornaby, said: “Some us are now thinking of going to college to do media.”

Darren added: “I’m interested in performing arts. I did a bit of acting and I’d never done it before. It was a new experience.”

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