Post filming blues

Well done everybody - after a very stimulating and enjoying day and thank you for your participation. How can I sum up, perhaps around some of the themes that emerged and came out of your creativity.
Some people focused on thinking about older people they knew and perceptions of them as sexual beings or being sexual. One group talked about the rape of an older people's identity that can happen in institutionalised care arrangements and settings, for example, the importance of clothing and appearance. There was some reflection on whether it was appropriate to use public funding to meet older people's sexual needs and how this sits within government policy. And many others.
Have a look at the feedback below (in no particular order):

What people said they enjoyed
The filming - sound and setting frames
The imediacy of it. Very raw material, no sense of it being 'scripted' or rehearsed
People's stories - really interesting
Working with a diverse group. Being creative - writing something original and working with actors/directors.
Everybody co-operated well - staff, students, actors, guests.
Getting a new perspective on things from the actors and watching them in action - very impressive.
The atmosphere - very calm and hardworking but we laughed quite a lot. We did tackle some interesting angles on the main topics too.
Enjoyed listening to personal experiences from different cultures.
I enjoyed the idea of sharing emotional feelings together. It was therapy to me because some of these things being bad memories and the sad thing about it is we cannot change the past. If our individual contributions can change other people's lives in a more positive way, then it will be great.
Being comfortable with being as open/bold in revealing stuff to do with sexuality.
I enjoyed being taken out of my comfort zone.

What people said suprised them:
How open people are on the whole
So many stereotypes about older age
The depth to which people opened up
How passionate I felt about this topic
The chap in the film about running a cafe was considered 'old' at 55!
I was surprised how eery it was to get the ideas flowing
That each group only concentrated on one area.
Small discussion groups were very informative and educational. No suprises at how hard to recognise older people thoughts and preferences about sexuality.
The interaction with students and actors suport.
Enjoyed the group I worked with - suprise the way we were filming, the slots and how we acted.
Why is it so difficult to talk about still in this day and age when we are all doing it and it's so natural.

What people said made them feel uncomfortable
None - I was comfortable talking about the issue.
My emotions almost overwhelmed me. However I had a good interview where prompting helped me stay in control.
Next week I'd like to get opinions of other groups and ideas/ suggestions before we start filming our piece.
Nothing, I felt really comfortable - very welcoming group, good sense of humour but also calm and not pressurised - perfect!
No everyone in the group were relaxed.
Speaking about family's sex life on camera, knowing that they would be uncomfortable about it (i.e the ethics of it).
Uncertainty about visualisation
Not used to talking about sexuality.
Using some sexual terms, I couldn't even say it which might be part of my cultural upbringing..

Ideas /Thoughts for next week
Ideas/ Role play
A visual dictionary (e.g, film of peoples mouths) saying multicultural 'rude' words and euphamisms for rumpty - tumpty/goolies.
Gestures and words to express sexuality (gentle) in outdoor environment, for filming
Next week I'd like to get opinions of other groups and ideas/suggestions before we start filming our piece.
Explore more of the ideas using cultural differences.

Grumpy, rude whatever!

Thanks Paul - beautiful filming about the child soldiers and poignant music and words - we will be thinking about what music and words we want in our filming. Any ideas come to mind? Trish

Session Schedule

May 22nd, Meet in K302
12.30 - 1.30 Lunch and breifing, choose and agree topics and look at some film clips - what does film do?
2.00 - 3.00 Break out into groups, Director/camera person, actors, students and create a script and allocate jobs and parts
3.00 - 4.30 Shoot sequences
4.45 - 5.30 End of day debrief and refreshments

Between session 1 & 2 sequences will be edited at 1 London Bridge, if you can make it, come along and observe.

May 29
10.30 - 11.30 viewing of first sequences and discussion
12 - 1 Break out into our groups again and agree on any new topics or expansion
1 - 2 Lunch (K302)
2.15 - 4.45 Shoot new sequences or re-shoot previous ideas (perhaps 'on location')
5 - 5.30 Debrief and agree next stage.

Meet the actors!

Joan, Vi, John and Lieve

GRUMPY OLD MAN

Hello, I'm Paul Vincent - another MSc Yr1 student.
I'm very interested in the arts - as both a learning and practice skill in social work. I think that social workers should be taught circus skills, performing arts etc, as well as how to fill in forms ! After all, isn't 'narrative' one of the key aspects of the work ?
The Managers and Markets have taken over - it's time to take it back to the people !
When I'm not doing my day job, I work with African artist BEN OKAFOR, in a support role. (Check out www.benokafor.com or just Google his name). The African tradition of 'storytelling' is very interesting, as well as the recognition / respect for the wisdom of the Elders.
How rude do you wanna be ??

Hello everyone

I working with Trish and Wendy on developing using the arts in teaching and learning in social care and social work. I work at the University teaching educators and managers in health and social care. I am interested in this blog as a way we can all talk to each other more and develop conversations we would not have otherwise - this leads to new learning for us all.
I would also like to see older people treated with more respect and dignity [key words in the NHS at the moment!]

Thank you student bloggers

Thanks to all of you who have introduced yourselves so far. Paul, I notice you have been on, are you able to contribute something, we have a good number of students interested now and some following us from the shadows so to speak. Trish

Hi - I am Kakoli and I'm taking the lead from Emma as I was unsure what to write in the blog. I work with older people and have been doing so in various capacities for the last 6/7 years. I know some of my friends find working with older people not that challenging and stereotype older people as incontinent and demented - but I have learned so much and have felt that I have had so much varied exeriences while working with this service user group that for me this group is as challenging as any other.
I am very curious about the 'rude older people' - why rude??

Hello there!

Here's a little bit about me:

I'm currently a 2nd year BA (Hons) Social Work student at London South Bank and am on placement at a charity that helps older people. Before that, I worked as a hair/make-up artist in film, TV and theatre, so I have quite a lot of experience of the production process. One of my first theatre jobs was on a production by Cardboard Citizens, a theatre company who train homeless people in the art of acting. Since then, I've always been interested in using drama with groups of people who are marginalised in society. So I'm really looking forward to getting involved with this workshop!

Hello Sadie

Would you like to say something about yourself, I understand that you have done bit of drama before coming to London South Bank?

Thank you Emma - our first blogger on the site

Thanks to Emma, one of the students joining the project. It would be nice of those involved to say a little bit about themselves and what is motivating them to join in, your experiences and expectations of the project. A kind of 'pre-meet' I expect! Best wishes, Trish.

first post...

Not really sure what to write on my first post, so thought it best to start with a little introduction (and apology for my random photo - dont have many photos of myself on my computer!).

I'm a student on the MSc at South Bank, I'm on placement at a domestic violence advovacy project which brings me into contact with some older people. Apart from that, and a three day shadowing of a social worker in an older peoples team I have done very little work with older people (my background is in Youth work and support and advocacy for young people). So I'm looking forward to learning loads from the rest of the group. I also enjoy a bit of drama / role play and find it a great way to learn.

Look forward to meeting the group and getting stuck in to the project!

Emma