Sponsored by
Mindstorm film is reel success
BUDDING South Tyneside film-makers are making their mark on the movie business with the release of their latest project.
Five dedicated artists have come together to form Mindstorm Films, based in Whitburn – and one of their features has already gained international recognition.
Craig Rutherford, 34, Graham Stokoe, 27, Wayne Thompson, 34, Caroline Hall, 31, and Rich Maher, 30, formed the company to self-finance their own projects.
Now they have launched five short films for the first time at a special cinema screening in Durham.
Mr Rutherford, from Whitburn, who works in administration for Barclays, said: "This was the first time we've screened the films in public, so it's a big step for us. The whole point of the project is to prove there's lots of regional talent in South Tyneside who are striving to get a foothold in the film industry."
The team has been putting the films together for the last two years and one of the films, Pocket Thief – which stars Robson Green's nephew Damon Britton – was nominated for Best European Short Film at the European Independent Film Festival in Paris.
Mr Rutherford, who wrote the screenplay for the film, travelled alone to the French capital to represent the film at the awards.
He added: "I was totally elated when I found out it was nominated. It's a great feeling to watch your work on a big screen with hundreds of people. It's such a buzz. I didn't win but it was a great experience, and just to be nominated was good, considering the amount of countries involved.
"I've been writing films for six or seven years, but it's only now I'm starting to see all my hard work pay off."
Mindstorm is part of an increasing network of young film-makers in the region.
Spiderhouse Productions, another regional film company, has worked with Mindstorm on many of their self-financed projects.
Northern Film And Media, which invests in local talent, is also instrumental in helping regional writers and film-makers gain a foothold in this very competitive industry.
A spokesman said: "We work with Craig a lot, and helped finance Pocket Thief, which did really well.
"Craig has really come on a great deal since we've been working together. He's very ambitious and we're looking forward to his next project."
It is designed to help make work an attractive prospect for people who might otherwise be dependent on benefits, and to give an additional cash boost to those employed people who need some extra help.
The tax credits aim to help six million families and 10 million children, with a 97 per cent take-up among those
with incomes less than 10,000.
Working Tax Credits top up income so that an individual without children who is working full-time is guaranteed a weekly income of at least 180 a week.
People without children are qualified for Working Tax Credit if they are over 25, work more than 30 hours a week, and earn less than 11,500 (or 16,000 as a couple).
Mr Hepburn said: “I urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible, to claim their Working Tax Credits. These tax credits help those who most need it, and support work where wages are low.
“I am proud of what Labour has done to ensure support for families and individuals.
“I want to ensure everyone who can benefit from Working Tax Credits does, so am supporting the campaign to raise awareness, and encourage people to check whether they are eligible.
“If there is anyone in my constituency who thinks they might be eligible, they should call the tax credit hotline on 0845 302 1415.”
A FOOTBALL team is hoping to kick off a fundraiser next week.
St Joseph’s Sixth Form football team are holding the charity night at the Deneside Club in St Joseph’s Way, Fellgate, Jarrow on Friday, November 16, between 7pm and 11pm.
Tickets are 3.50, and includes bingo and raffles.
The event also features a set from Stiletto – a local all-girl group who made it to the later stages of The X Factor.
For more information, call Sheila on 489 9025 or Anne on 422 3735.
A DROP-in session for students seeking crime prevention advice will take place on Tuesday.
The police surgery has been organised by police community support officer Dave Ternent.
It will be held at South Tyneside College’s South Shields campus in St George’s Avenue, Westoe.
The officer will be on site to talk to staff and students between 11.30am and 1.30pm.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Shields
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
