During the summer of 2008 Aylesbury Vale District Council and Thames Valley Police acknowledged a problem Arriva bus company were having around responsible use of their transport. Typical offences included graffiti, vandalism, disorder, and criminal damage. A conventional response from the police and AVDC may have included increased police presence and enforcement activities on the buses. This time, the issue provided an opportunity to work with young people on a project, something exciting and a project young people could be involved in, furthermore, young people could own.
We felt a film project about responsible use of transport would be the best way of engaging with young people, the only problem was how to deliver this. After some research on media companies in the area it was the clear that the cost to make a film would be considerable. The i-van Project had attended the community safety Big Day Out event earlier in the summer and we were aware of the type of service they could provide. After a brief consultation it was clear that they would be the most suitable organisation to drive forward our project.
From the start of the film project Jon and Suzi, the project workers, were on hand to steer discussions and stimulate ideas amongst the young people. These ideas rapidly developed into scripts and storyboards, before too long the pupils were rehearsing the shoot for their film.
The experience of Jon was perhaps the most significant factor in the making of the film. Whilst coordinating filming, sound and an array of other technicalities he maintained a focus on allowing the pupils to create the work, essential to the success of this project. Suzi’s skills were also invaluable, coordinating activities, a group of young people and a glitzy showbiz style premiere.
The final product, Fatal Distraction, is one worthy of merit to all involved, particularly the i-van Project who have been a key driving force in the project. I’d certainly look to use the i-van Project on future projects across the Vale and recommend them to anyone looking to take part in a similar project.
Matt Deprez - Community Safety, Aylesbury Vale District Council
