|
 Teenage filmmakers from two of Edinburgh's most deprived estates are set to take part in an arts project that will have them filming in New York during Tartan Week this April, when Americans with Scottish roots celebrate with parades and public events.
 The seven-strong band of 15 to 17-year-olds from Broomhouse and Sighthill were in the middle of an eight-month photography and film-making course run by their local library when they were told they would be heading to the Big Apple next month.
One of the Edinburgh filmmakers Clare Squires said: "I think the trip will be a real life-changing experience for me. I hope we can show we do not fit the typical stereotype of young people from these estates."
The five girls and two boys will be making a video diary of their five-day trip, including a visit to the Bronx to interview teenagers there, taking part in the famous Tartan Day parade, visiting "Ground Zero" and a library designed by and aimed at young people.
 They will get a masterclass from Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh, right, who was brought up in Muirhouse and has agreed to be interviewed for the project, before their trip.
The teenagers are also expected to meet stars including Lord of the Rings actor Billy Boyd, who lived in Glasgow's Easterhouse estate, during the New York trip.
A separate video diary will turn the spotlight on life in the Sighthill and Broomhouse, which have been blighted by gang fights between local youths.
 Two of the video diaries are expected to lift the lid on the teenagers' views of life growing up in the Edinburgh estates, their local environment and future hopes.
A third diary will give the filmmakers' perspective on the Bronx, the facilities for young people there, how Scotland is celebrated during Tartan Week and how New York compares with Edinburgh.
Irvine Welsh said: "It's excellent to see kids from Sighthill and Broomhouse getting the chance to work together on a project that lets them use literature and new media to explore their own identity.
"It's sad that such opportunities are often out of reach for young people in these communities, as there are plenty of interesting stories to be told.
"They should be praised for the commitment they've made in completing what is an intensive programme of work. It will be good to see what comes of their collaboration with a similar group in New York."
The library project has been jointly funded to £20,000 by the city council and the Scottish Executive. It has already seen the youngsters learn basic skills in script-writing, filming, music-making and photography.
 The teenagers' work is planned to be showcased during this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The project is also being run with the OneCity project, aimed at tackling poverty and inequality across Scotland's capital.
Evelyn Kilmurry, senior library officer with the council, said: "When these teenagers started the project they had no idea they would be going to New York. We think the trip will allow them to really compare the lives of teenagers over there and the whole culture in New York."
 |
. just to add new york was a life time experice and i would kill to go back again. looking into the furture this experice has help alot!. Thanks.
Show/Hide comment form
