​Pandora's Box Filmmaking Workshop
for Girls and Young Women
Monday 13th February – Thursday 16th February 2017 at the Stockwell Community Centre

With Cinema Screening Event held at the Ritzy Brixton
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During this exciting storytelling and filmmaking workshop, girls and young women aged 11-17 filmed their own short films about women's roles in society and things they feel passionate about in their own lives. The project was delivered by the Documentary Film Makers Cooperative in partnership with the Self Empowerment for Life Foundation (SELF) and the Independent Film Trust with funding gratefully received from the National Lottery Awards for All.

The films the girls and young women produced on the workshop were shown at a public screening at the Ritzy Cinema in May 2017. The event was a tremendous success. The participants gave speeches and recited poems on topics their films addressed and engaged in an animated Q&A session with the audience.

Over the course of the four-day workshop, girls thinking inside and outside the box, came up with an eclectic range of inspirational ideas, some of which they went on to make films about. They learned about how to structure their ideas for film; moving image composition, and camera techniques before then going out to different locations in Stockwell and Brixton to film their films.
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The workshop atmosphere was charged throughout with a blend of the girls' interest, curiosity, concentration, excitement, and creativity. We were thrilled by how they all struck up friendships with one another and assisted each other accomplish tasks. Bravo to ALL the girls who took part.

What the girls said:

'I enjoyed using the camera and filming others act. I also enjoyed thinking of a story to film. I learned different skills and expressed my creativity'.

'I liked being a part of Pandora's Box workshop because it helped me learn a lot of stuff. This has helped me decide if I should do stuff to do with acting and filming/producing for GCSEs'.

'I really liked when we were given the opportunity to put into practice the theory we had learnt about using the cameras'.

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​A word about the Pandora's Box:

Pandora's Box is a provocative ancient Greek myth that lends itself to reflexion on the power women have; how they tap into it and use it in their daily lives. It can be interpreted to symbolise a woman letting go of negativity while holding onto hope. The workshop sought to empower girls 1) by bringing them to consider roles and representations of women in contemporary society, and 2) by way of letting them choose to make films on issues they feel passionate about even if these are not directly about the predicaments females face in society. During the workshop, the girls were encouraged to step outside their comfort zones to take on new roles and apply new knowledge and witness themselves gain confidence in these undertakings.

​what the girls said:

'I think this is a great platform for young girls. I liked learning about the camera and how to use the different shots'.

​'I enjoyed creating ideas about what the film should be focused on. I also enjoyed directing the cameras'.

'I really liked learning how to work the camera and work with my team to make some amazing footage. I also really enjoyed the workshop session with Daniel and Hulda on camera techniques and the different types of videos you can produce and the workshop with Cassandra and Donna on women and how we should be confident in what we do'.

'The parts I liked were meeting new people, learning about the equipment and when I had to speak Portuguese at a Brazilian Cafe and everyone in my group was proud of me because it made it easy to get the Consent Form signed, and when I did my job which was sound recording'.

​And from a parent:

'Thank you for giving my daughter this opportunity to be part of this project, she really enjoyed it and hopefully there'll be many more to come. She made so much friends and even though the project is finished, she is still so excited about it and doesn't stop talking about all the help she got and the respect that she has for the teachers and that she will maybe go into this kind of career in the future'.
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​some super photographs for the record

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​Previous post for Pandora's Box Filmmaking Project
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​Why a storytelling and filmmaking project for young women?

We believe that young women in London could do with an opportunity to concentrate on creating stories and making their own short films about topics of their choosing. The project aims to empower girls and young women, opening doors for them to reflect on the position of girls in our society. Whether they decide to make a film about an issue that affects girls and women or would like to use the opportunity to make a film about a topic they have a strong interest in – the experience will be an empowering one that will help them on their journey through life. 

​Why Pandora’s Box?

The name and theme of the project derives from the Greek myth of Pandora, who was prohibited by her father Zeus from opening a box. She opened it anyway, letting evil and disease into the world. However, along with all the bad things in the box was HOPE.
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​Society, in general, tends to refer to Pandora’s Box as taboo or forbidden. As humans, we tend to shy away from delving into our hearts and minds, in fear of what we may find. This can result in bad choices and future problems. Therefore, we encourage all beings to open their Pandora’s Box, let out any negativity and replace it with positivity. 
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Although addressing our fears, flaws and issues is often tough, we believe that exploring our true inner self and emotions will have a long-term, positive impact on our lives as well as having a positive ripple effect on those around us.

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​How will participants benefit from this project?

Whether they are interested in working in the media industry or just feel the need to have their voice heard, this project will move them towards achieving that goal.

Participants will have an opportunity to awaken their creative potential and find the inner power to take greater control of their lives. 
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Participants will be guided and supported throughout project to create powerful and dynamic films.

After the project, the short films will be compiled into one longer film and shown at a Screening Event at a local location, to which friends and family will be invited.

Participants will get hands-on experience of film-making by:

• researching and writing a story for film
• planning a film shoot
• using a video camera
• record sound
• creating a storyboard
• interviewing and being interviewed
• presenting to camera
• creating a news story

Alongside this, they will also have the opportunity to explore:

• what they think it means to be a girl in today’s society and how it makes them feel
• the things that are important to them as they experience the transition from girlhood to womanhood
• what motivates them

They will be encouraged to challenge common misconceptions about females and bring their own perspectives and opinions to the films they make.

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