News & Events
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Graduates' Film Premieres at Screen Academy 'Peppermint' by Gabby Morton-Jones & James Fair |
Two successful Media School graduates showcased their acclaimed film Peppermint at the University to celebrate the launch of Bournemouth's Screen Academy.
James Fair, 25, and Gabby Morton-Jones, 24, both BA (Hons) Television & Video Production graduates, now known as BA (Hons) Television Production, gave a private screening to staff and students last week of their debut feature-length film.
The film, described by journalist David Dunham as "exceptional", is a present day drama about young teenager Beth and her attempt to validate herself in the eyes of her competitive mother, Ann.
Their interactions with two other characters Mike and Nan reveal a series of shocking secrets of past parental neglect and irresponsible adulthood, which looks inevitably set to repeat itself.
"We decided to make a film on the subject of bad parenting and childhood because personally it just fascinates me," said James. "I had a pretty good childhood but I was interested in exploring the lives of those who don't."
Gabby added, "We choose the name Peppermint because people use mints as a way to disguise bad breath etc so we used the name to symbolise how people try to cover-up the bad parts of their lives."
The project was shot over eight days and filmed on the micro-budget of £2,500, financed by the young filmmakers themselves. Both scripted the film and recruited the actors themselves.
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James and Gabby self funded the project which was shot in just over 8 days |
James said, "We thought we'd just go out and do it ourselves. A few years ago me and Gabby did some short documentaries for Channel Four called Nightshifts. There was so much intervention from producers and production companies that we decided to go completely independent on our next venture. The whole experience was quite frustrating."
The experience prompted James to set up Grand Independent - a media production company aimed at developing and giving maverick media-makers the space to hone their talents.
"We hope we have created a platform for producers of new media, be that film or music," said James. "We'd like to think people from Bournemouth would be interested in approaching us."
James graduated from Bournemouth University in 2002, followed by Gabby in 2003.
"I loved my time at Bournemouth. I didn't want to leave," said James. "The Media School has helped set us up for our future career because it allowed us to meet so many people which we have later collaborated with. Because of the different technical expertise the courses here teach, such as television production, PR etc, there's always someone around you can pick on for help. There's a right little Bournemouth mafia."
Peppermint has been involved in the launch of the Bournemouth Screen Academy - an exciting new partnership between the Arts Institute, Bournemouth and The Media School.
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"The Media School has helped set us up for our future career because it allowed us to meet so many people which we have later collaborated with." |
The Academy has been created through funding from Skillset to develop graduates for careers in the British Film Industry. There are only five other Screen Academies in the country.
James said, "The University approached us about doing something for the Academy's launch and we thought it was a good idea. I think it's a great opportunity for students, and what with new technological advancements this centre has to offer it seems very fitting that Bournemouth has decided to do something like this."
James and Gabby will be spending the next few weeks promoting their film and aim to get it shown in film festivals around the country. Their next feature-length project, 'The Boy Who Called Sound', is to be filmed over the summer.
Story by Stephanie Brooks
BA (Hons) Multi-Media Journalism - 2nd Year Student
