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‘The Readiness’ and Anti-Bullying Week
Earlier this year, the UK spent a week raising awareness of bullying during National Anti-Bullying Week. Year 9 and 11 students in Bristol made a brilliant short film in response to bullying, in this modern retelling of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’.
Bullying is something that no-one should ever have to experience…
Bullying is something that no-one should ever have to experience, but unfortunately an alarming amount of people do. Statistically, within the U.K, 1.5 million young people and children have experienced bullying- that’s as high as 50%. That means most young people have either been affected by, or know someone who has been affected by bullying.
Bullying can take many different shapes and forms. It can range from receiving hateful comments in person and online, being excluded and ignored by peers, the sharing of humiliating stories, pictures and videos or being harassed or attacked.
It’s important to remember that bullying is never your fault. However, bullying can still have a profound impact on your self-esteem and emotional well being. But most importantly remember you are not alone. There are always people you can turn to that can help advice you on what to do and provide you with the help and support you need. Talk to your friends, a trusted adult and get in contact with Childline and Off the Record.
Watershed and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School worked with Merchants Academy to create a short film during a one-week work experience placement. Year 9s and Year 11s came together and through a series of workshops and film screenings, they came up with the story of their film inspired by William Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’. They found the themes within Hamlet ones they could relate to, and wanted to explore these within their own short film.
Within both the short film created by Merchant’s Academy and Shakespeare’s play, the protagonists are confronted with a barrage of hurtful situations that forces them to ask themselves— do they continue suffering or do they stand up and take action?
Watch ‘The Readiness’ to find out:
If you’re aged 13-17 and interested in getting involved in filmmaking, then check out Creative Youth Network’s Filmmaking Course or if you’re 24 and below, apply for Random Act’s Calling the Shots.
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About the author
Holly Muse
Making the great journey from the North-East to the South-West, Holly studied at UWE and instantly fell in love with the weird and wonderful Bristol. Recently part of Watershed’s 2015 Future Producers cohort, she upped her game and recently became coordinator of Rife Guide. Holly is pro at planning unrealistic travelling trips, exploring Bristol’s green spaces and trying out every Italian in the city. This post is made possible by the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries
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