Film crew puts spotlight on work of Valley veterans
THE stories of veterans are being told in a documentary being put together by researchers from Anglia Ruskin University.
A team of filmmakers has been at Valley-based Veterans In Communities over the last few months to get to know the members and film aspects of the charity’s work which will illustrate how art has helped the former servicemen to transition to Civvy Street.
As well as being filmed, Arts and Crafts Co-ordinator Darren Horsnell, Outreach Worker Steve Butterworth and member Dave
Joddrell have been upskilled as they have been taught how to use filming equipment and learnt interview techniques.
Filmmaker Katie Davies said: “The film we are making is part of a larger research project telling the stories of transition and
funded by The Arts and Humanities Research Council.
“The films are a great opportunity for veterans to voice what transition is like and also for them to define their own identities. They are saying what it is like to be a veteran.
“A lot of academic research involves gaining information via a questionnaire so the veterans do not have a voice.
“In our first meeting we found out how important the artistic projects are at VIC, not just for the veterans but for the community also.”
Three films are being made and the project also involves Manchester Metropolitan and Exeter Universities.
Dave said: “It is exciting and I am really pleased to be a part of it. I think it will make a huge impression when everyone sees it.”
While the filming has been taking place, a giant mural has been created on the wall and ceiling of the art room. Veteran Brian McEvoy has also been using his drone to take aerial shots which will also be used in the final film.
The film crew will be back next month and then in November it is hoped to have the documentary ready for the veterans to edit.
There will be three films made as part of the project - the other universities have been looking into how sports and culture help veterans adjust.
One of the filmmakers, EB Landesberg, is originally from Los Angeles and has just got a job teaching filmmaking in South Carolina, where there are lots of veterans’ organisations. She said she would be taking a copy of the film with her.
Steve said: “It has been wonderful to be a part of the project as I have never been involved in anything like this before.
“I struggle with tech; I can learn something one day but if I then don’t use it every day, I will forget what I have learnt.
“Each of us has brought something different to the film.”
The resulting films ‘Turn To Starboard,’ ‘Veterans In Communities’ and ‘Waterloo Uncovered’ will hopefully get a cinema screening in early 2023.