Starring roles for creative youngsters both behind the scenes and in front of the camera as filmmaking workshop gives insight into cinema industry

Action filmmakers aged from 13 to 19 picked up cameras at Southsea Cinema in Palmerston Road as part of a programme hosted by Portsmouth-based young people’s charity Motiv8.

Portsmouth Film Society delivered this courses for Motiv8, lead by coordinator Aysegul Epengin.

To create their own blockbuster superhero flick, the team looked at everything from script writing and story boards, use of the green screen, and all roles involved in film production.

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Street Strong Youth Project, the project gave the youngsters the opportunity to meet new people and develop new skills and confidence.

The young people are finishing up their two minute film, which will be shown at Southsea Cinema so they can share and celebrate with friends and family.

The six-strong creative team of youngsters have been working together for several weeks to create their final project.

Sophie King, skills and enterprise hub service manager at Motiv8, said: ‘It’s giving them an extra insight into a different industry.

‘They have looked at the art and digital side of things and they have created a film. It’s a superhero-based film where a superhero comes to Palmerston Road and they have to stop a baddie.

‘They are learning quite a lot of skills and they have really enjoyed it.

‘We’ve had comments from parents about how happy they have been - it’s taken them out of their comfort zone.’

SEE ALSO: Ukrainian refugees admit their ‘hearts are bleeding’ as they stand in solidarity to mark independence - exactly six months on since invasion by Russia

As well as teaching the youngsters all the skills they need to create a film, the workshop also aims to provide a real insight into possible future careers.

Sophie added: ‘We’re going to have a screening in October at Southsea Cinema - a real red carpet event to celebrate their work.’

The project is a continuation of the workshops held as part of the Your Voice 2 project hosted earlier this year.

This saw the young people from Motiv8 develop their creative skills by learning from 21 participants who were able to access expert lead information and skills - showing the teens how to create zines, podcasts, and photographs that were then displayed at at The Round Tower in Old Portsmouth.