Caption: Sam, played by Ben Burman, stabs Dexy, played by Dominic Alexander
Caption: Sam, played by Ben Burman, is arrested by a policeman
Caption: young people taking part in the filming
Young people in Leeds are to be guests of honour at the premiere of a film in which they starred.
Y-ABC, which tells the story of two young people who get involved in anti-social behaviour, will be shown before an invited audience at The Hyde Park Cinema, Brudenell Road, Leeds, on Thursday 4th March at 10 a.m.
Thirty-six young people from six high schools in Leeds were involved in making the DVD, which was filmed over two days. As well as acting in the film, young people were also involved in the directing, filming and editing decisions of the final piece.
The film tells the story of close friends Dexy and Sam. Both come to the attention of the authorities after their youthful misbehaviour takes a turn for the worse, and both receive Acceptable Behaviour Contracts. For Dexy, this is a catalyst to turn his life around for the better. For Sam, it is not. The story traces their parallel lives and their very different outcomes.
The DVD was the idea of Aileen Barrass who works at Leeds City Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, who also wrote and directed it. It has been organised and produced through Safer Leeds, the city’s Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, with additional funding from Children’s Services and Positive Activities for Young People.
Stars Dominic Alexander and Ben Burman, who played Dexy and Sam will be among the young people at the cinema for the event.
Both Dominic and Ben are available for interview TODAY. Please contact Annie Goodyear at Safer Leeds on 224 3567.
Ben, 18, who comes from Lofthouse, near Wakefield, and attends Allerton Grange Academy in Leeds, said:
“I had to think myself into the part of someone who commits anti-social behaviour . It opened my eyes to the factors that can trigger that behaviour. I think some of it is to do with home life and some of it is because people are trying to impress their friends.”
Dominic, 20, who lives in Middleton and was a pupil at City of Leeds School when at the time he took part the filming, said:
“I loved every minute of making the film. I grew up on a council estate in Leeds and some of the people I knew then have just ended up doing drugs or doing nothing. It’s really important to make an effort to do something and go for what you want in life.”
Dominic and Ben hope to go on to become professional actors.
Aileen Barrass, Enforcement Officer for Leeds City Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Unit said:
“I wanted to make the film as part of my work with schools and youth services. I have other packages for younger children but felt something harder hitting to provoke discussion would help us engage with young people and get ideas from them about tackling anti social behaviour.
“The young people involved were enthusiastic and creative, they came up with great ideas. The team from The Production Company who filmed and edited the production were very professional and we have a great product.”
Councillor Les Carter, Leeds City Council’s executive board member for Community Safety and chair of Safer Leeds, said:
“This is a really original piece of work which is a credit to everyone involved.
I’m sure it will be a really useful teaching tool. We need to get young people alongside us in our drive to tackle anti-social behaviour across the city.”
A teaching pack has been prepared to accompany the DVD. It has already been successfully trialled at Prince Henry school in Otley
Julie Robinson, Student Services Manager of Prince Henry Grammar, Otley, said:
“We used the film to work with a group of young people in Year Nine, they really enjoyed the whole experience. They found the hard hitting storyline realistic and were very engaged in the problem solving work that accompanies the film.
“The children were keen to find out if there is to be a sequel as they want to know what happens next.”
Copies of the DVD and the teaching pack are available, price £15, from Hannah Jackson, Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, Springwell Road, Leeds LS12 1AX . Tel: 0113 2478728. Email: Hannah.Jackson@Leeds.gov.uk
Safer Leeds would like to thank Nicholas Deakin for providing clothes for the shoot.
Note to editors:
Press copies of the DVD are available from Annie Goodyear, Communications Officer, Safer Leeds annie.goodyear@leeds.gov.uk or call 0113 2243567
An Acceptable Behaviour Contract is a voluntary agreement entered into to change behaviour for the better. ABC’s are used as an early intervention before more serious measures are used, such as ASBOs.
YABC was filmed and edited by The Production Company, Sunnybank Mills, Town St, Farsley, Leeds, LS28 5UJ
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact:
Michael Molcher, Leeds City Council (0113) 224 3937
e-mail: michael.molcher@leeds.gov.uk
