NewVIc students feature in Wake – Up, a short film releasing on Amazon Prime

Student performers include George Hastrup, Alicia Diaz Lauren, Aman Basha, Larissa Silva, Nathaniel Amarh-Robinson and Jason Fernandes.


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NewVIc performing arts students feature in a short film written by young men in an HMYOI (Young Offenders Institution). The entire film was shot in HMYOI Feltham with some scenes shot on location at NewVIc. Student performers include George Hastrup, Alicia Diaz Lauren, Aman Basha, Larissa Silva, Nathaniel Amarh-Robinson and Jason Fernandes.

Written by 8 young men in an HMYOI 'Wake - Up' was inspired by a series of honest discussions, mentoring and creative workshops alongside their mentor Nathalie Pownall. The film project was a creative outlet to rewrite the narrative of what it means to be a young man in prison and to provide a platform for these men’s voices to be heard beyond the prison walls. In response to what is happening in their cities, the men weaved their prose, spoken word and dialogue together to tell their story with humility and vulnerability and to ask you the audience "What would you do if you were in my shoes as you currently stand in yours?”

Wake – Up: 'School is over and the summer lies casually ahead for 16-year-old JR (Kai Francis-Lewis) and Jordan (Niyi Akin). Their carefree plans of shooting breeze, playing hoop and finding some sweet 'tings' are abruptly interrupted by the pressures of life, provoking them both to make choices that could change their friendship and potentially their futures forever…’ 

The film project was pioneered by Nathalie from Thirtyone2526, an initiative to create and redefine what it is to be fully alive, authentic and human ‘kind’. It has also been supported by Newham Arts Charity Applecart Arts and funded by the Mayor of London. It was filmed with a professional cast and crew alongside young people living in Newham and Lambeth. The film releases on Amazon Prime on Friday 14 May 2021. 

Head of Curriculum, John Crockford said:

“The entire college along with the performing arts team are very excited by this amazing short film that features NewVIc students, reflecting the consistently stimulating creative curriculum and projects we are involved with at NewVIc. Our students come from such a diverse range of backgrounds and starting points and having opportunities to be involved in a professional short film set with professional actors like this is what sets us apart – we’re so proud of these students and the cast involved.”

Project Manager and Producer, Nathalie Pownall added:

“As my vision for the film project was supported by Newham based Arts charity Applecart Arts, it was important to me that we also involved young people from the borough.  While on a film location recce of the area, my Line Producer Shash Lall and I visited Newham Sixth Form College for one of the filming locations. We instantly knew we wanted to use the college in the filming, not only because it has an impressive atrium but more so the staff were so welcoming of the film.  I shared the project with John Crockford with the view of inviting some of the media students to be involved both in front and behind the camera. We also ran auditions for a couple of the speaking parts, one of which was booked by student George Hastrup. Six students gave up their Saturday to join us on the first day of shooting. Filming is far from glamorous with lots of waiting around yet they all stuck it out for the entire day which is testament to them. I can’t thank John, Annie, the students and Dave Muma - who gave up his weekend to open up the school for us - enough. They have supported the project throughout and I hope that it was a rewarding experience for them as it was for me to have them join us. The arts are vital to building community and I hope that the creative and digital departments at NewVIc is recognised for its excellence and it’s dedication to the growth of the students.”

For more information about the film: http://nathaliepownall.com/thirtyone2526

Photo credit: Actor Kai Francis-Lewis who plays JR in 'Wake - Up'

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