West Lothian Council - West Lothian Works
West Lothian Works
Aims of the project
Key benefits of the project
Premiere screening in Livingston
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The young people taking part in this project worked together to devise and create their own film and compose a musical score to accompany it. Participants had a completely free choice of subject matter and musical genre, resulting in a huge variety of styles. |
Over 800 pupils from 24 primary and 4 secondary schools throughout West Lothian took part.
- To engage a large number of schools and pupils in the same project - creating a shared experience between pupils aged from 8 to 18.
- To bring some of Scotland’s best young musicians and film makers into West Lothian to inspire young people and teach new skills.
- To take the proven strengths of young people, particularly those taking Instrumental Music, to a new level.
- To enhance the reputation of West Lothian Council for delivering groundbreaking creative experiences in its schools.
West Lothian Works had a direct impact on more than 800 of West Lothian’s young people – it helped some to express their feelings, others to develop problem solving and communication skills.
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Pupils in communities across West Lothian have a major, positive experience in common: whether they are from a small rural primary school or a town centre secondary school.
Pupils and teachers have been introduced to a broad range of new technical and creative skills. |
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This project has provided West Lothian with a visual and musical record of how it was perceived by young people in 2008.
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Of course, in addition to these valuable benefits the young people taking part in West Lothian Works also had a great time, as these comments show:
"[the best thing was] being on camera"
"It was brilliant". |
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The project culminated in a final performance at the Vue cinema in Livingston. Four films out of the 200 produced during the project were chosen to premiere on 9 April 2008, and their musical soundtracks were performed live by members of the West Lothian Schools Symphony Orchestra. |
The four selected films were created by secondary pupils, and both film and music therefore formed part of their Higher coursework. Standards were extremely high and the films were:
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You Wood Clown Around Dreaming, a sinister walk in the woods using spooky camera techniques
The Wilted Rose, a 1930s-inspired trip down memory land |
- Blues Brawl, a Western saloon fight with upbeat blues soundtrack
- Night of the Hunted, a black and white film in the style of Hitchcock.
Thanks to Maggie Mackay, Marketing Officer at West Lothian Council, for information on the project.
| For more information on West Lothian Council's Youth Music Initiative projects, contact Stephen Gray. |
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