Shooting stars
CROOK FC has been the site of many football victories anddisasters: but now the grounds themselves are acting as inspiration for a young team of Wear Valley film-makers.
The young movie buffs, who are all from different drama groups in the area, are taking their first steps in making a film based around the architecture and history of the Millfield football grounds.
The film will be the first of four short digital films funded by a £20,000 lottery grant bagged by Jack Drum Arts, from First Light Movies.
The 13 youngsters met last Thursday afternoon in the sunshine for the first of five pre-production sessions to brainstorm ideas for a story and script.
They were shown around the grounds, the dugouts, the turnstiles, the changing rooms and the stands by local historian and football expert Michael Manuel, before heading out onto the pitch.
They learned about the origins of football, the history of Crook FC, famous players like Jack Greenwell, and the politics behind the team strip.
Michael told them: ³Football began on the battlefield.
³After a battle, soldiers would kick a decapitated head around.
³The church used to say that anyone who played football was Œof devious disposition and evil intent.¹ ³Then it changed and the church embraced football so most teams were captained by either a reverend or a doctor.
³We believe the black and amber strip came from the Liberal party and we also know that the club bought the grounds in 1898 for the grand total of £625.² The team then bonded over games and improvised dramas and thought about possible story lines for the film.
The crack team of youngsters already have film experience: some worked on the Strange Dreams film; some take part in Helen Ward¹s after school club at St Cuthbert¹s school; some took part in last summer¹s project Howden On Sea; and some were involved with The Princess and the Pendant.
The film will be produced and directed by local trio Helen Ward, Julie Ward and Paddy Burton, all from Sunniside, who have been involved with local drama initiatives for many years.
Trainee film-maker Glen Hodgson, who is studying media at New College, Durham is looking forward to the weeks ahead.
He said: ³The football grounds have loads of potential for inspiration.
³My job is to learn from Helen and to help put the film together through editing and helping the children to think of some good ideas.
³The funding is brilliant because it opens up the project to people like myself and helps us get a step on the ladder and some good experience.² Jack Drum Arts film-maker Helen Ward said: ³The children need to be in control because the film belongs to them.
³We are hoping to be able to bring a few of them to the last match of the season to help give them ideas for their film.² Although it¹s early days for the production, the children¹s enthusiasm looks set to produce another hit film.
Julie Ward said: ³All the films we will be making will be inspired by local architecture, environments, and different buildings.
³The grounds are full of extraordinary ideas and history and it¹s really important for the children to be involved in these early planning stages.
³Their response today and in future will shape the whole film.
³It¹s important to give them credit for being as intelligent and curious as they are!²
