Young Actors and Filmmakers Produce Anti-Bullying DVD for Schools

Oct. 20, 2011 - PRLog -- Over two days, Living the Dream Media filmed young performers exploring their feelings about bullying, their identity, fears, pressures and stereotypes and produced an acting piece, wearing Trestle Masks, which they performed to a soundtrack of their own voices.

The 25 minute DVD they created includes some of the workshop process as well as extracts from interviews with the participants, many of whom have been bullied themselves.  They are open and honest about their experiences, some of which are both shocking and eye opening, as well as sending out a strong message to both the victims of bullying and the bullies themselves.

The Voices Within DVD is accompanied by learning resources for teachers containing case studies based upon the stories of the young people who appear in the DVD, ideas, inspiration, activities and acting exercises to explore the issues of bullying that students face.  

To accompany our Voices Within DVD, Living the Dream can offer youth-led tailored workshops for secondary schools, youth clubs, colleges and universities to support anti bullying campaigns and is a great way to mark anti-bullying week.  We are also able to run workshops in Primary Schools (NB the DVD is not appropriate for this age group).

Living the Dream’s anti-bullying DVD is part of our wider campaign "What if we could make the difference?" promoting the positive contribution that young people can make through the performing arts.

Zoe Jackson, Managing Director of Living the Dream, said, “I was a victim of bullying and am passionate about doing something to promote positive behaviour in young people.  We believe our DVD will be an inspiring and powerful teaching aid for schools, particularly as it is produced exclusively by young people.”

Background

Zoe Jackson set up the Living the Dream Performing Arts Company in 2006 at the age of 16 as a means of funding her place at the National Youth Theatre. The company, now in its fifth year, has grown and is made up of over 500 young people from Hertfordshire, aged 5-25, providing opportunities to learn dance, acting, musical theatre, filmmaking, design, stage management, technical skills and production through classes, workshops, events, showcases and commercial performances.
Since June 2011 we have also launched:

•   The Living the Dream Media Company – made up of talented young professional film-makers, photographers, editors, designers and technicians.
•   The Living the Dream Professional Dance Company – made up of young professional dancers (including the Living the Dream Street Dance Crew)
•   The Living the Dream dancewear brand

We are currently about to launch the Living the Dream Talent Agency, where we will be spotlighting the best young talent for professional work throughout the UK for events, musicals, photo-shoots, shows and music videos.

In 2009, Zoe won an award from the PR company, Ing Media, as one of the Top Ten Teenagers in the UK, for her role in inspiring other young people. In April 2011, She was awarded the St Albans Mayor's Pride Award for Cultural Innovation.  Recently, she was a finalist in a Virgin Media Pioneers competition to meet Sir Richard Branson and selected as one of three "outstanding" Pioneers to represent Sir Richard Branson's Control Shift Campaign as a spokesperson for young entrepreneurs, appearing on a platform with Vince Cable, Secretary of State.  Zoe has recently been shortlisted for the Shell Woman of the Future in Arts, Media and Culture.

Editors Notes

Anti-Bullying Week:  14th – 18th November 2011
Voices Within DVD: £29.99
Voices Within DVD and Learning Resources Pack: £39.99

To view a trailer of the DVD and further information:  http://www.livingthedreamcompany.co.uk/voiceswithin.html

For further information about workshops for schools:  http://www.livingthedreamcompany.co.uk/workshopsinschools...

For photographs, interviews and further information, please contact:

Zoe Jackson
Managing Director
Living the Dream Performing Arts Company

Telephone: 07845 267 501
E-mail: info@livingthedreamcompany.co.uk
Website: www.livingthedreamcompany.co.uk

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Living the Dream Performing Arts Company is run by young people for young people, providing opportunities to learn dance, acting, filmmaking, design, technical skills and production through classes, workshops, showcases and commercial performances.