Hello, my name is Will. I’m from Beacon Hill Arts in Newcastle, which support filmmakers with learning disabilities to make and show their own work. We are one of the BFI Film Academies and our work is screened, competes (and often wins!) alongside films by people with and without learning disabilities all over the world. What impresses me is that many of us find speaking, reading and writing quite difficult – but have an ability to tell such entertaining, funny and thought provoking stories using film. People say to me how great it is that I “help” people with learning disabilities to make their own films but I don’t do this out of charity. Far from it. I do what I do because I am excited by the amazing talents of the people I work with. Filmmakers with learning disabilities have an ability to offer a view of the world that I don’t. I couldn’t even dream of the scripts that our members write! I truly believe that my work with Beacon Hill Arts is as much about me having the opportunity to learn from our members and develop myself as a filmmaker as it is about me “helping” our members to create their work. It’s a partnership. I am really looking forward to the conference in March. I am sure we are going to have some very interesting conversations!
Will Sadler
Beacon Hill Arts
http://www.beaconhillarts.org.
Much looking to the day and looking forward to have many interesting talks with other people.
Most courses must now have end or funding outcomes eg you are trained as a artist, you know about arts funding and other bits. Also courses have to have the right number and kind of people taking part. or the course wil not run. I went to do the main part-time one year Btec in Art and Design and I got it or Passed. On the interview I had said about my learning disability. The people said ” you can go for the full-time two year course”. I said ” I only have arts funding for one year” plus undertaking training as a youth worker at the same time.