As previously stated, Snapshot recently came full circle with its journey that started in Sheffield's Showroom Cinema. Nearly 5 years ago since I met with Producer Sam Barnett, and the learning curve of writing and developing the short took place over many mornings and afternoons over tea and coffee, in person at the café as well as on Zoom!
As part of the BFI Film Academy Young Programmers course, the 16-19 year old students had an incredibly busy week selecting and curating films to program and screen in the cinema rooms below the café. Their hard work was evident, and a shame I wasn't able to view the rest of their screenings throughout the week.
Culminating with their package entitled "Art Without Limit", the aim to screen 5 short films that acts a; "...Showcase, featuring disabled protagonists and films made by disabled filmmakers."
Unbeknownst to them, whilst trawling through the database of BFI Network funded Short Films to select, they were unaware that Sam Produced Snapshot, partly because he is also their Course Leader!
The screenings were also relaxed, so; the lights were on, the volume lowered to 75%, and there was also a breakout space in case the selection grew too overwhelming for anyone in the audience.
All positive progress, and one of many reasons why I couldn't turn down the opportunity to attend.
Thankfully able to, as well as flattered Snapshot was selected, I'd wrote an introduction that for the last few days was pinned to my fridge, staring at me for every trek made to the kitchen.
It was great practice to help introduce the short in front of an audience, as well as explain its origins and why I think it was important to tell such a story.
The programme was as follows;
Pennywort (2020)
Growing Pains (2021)
My Eyes Are Up Here (2022)
Dad Joke (2020)
Snapshot (2022)
Further details on the other short's premises are in the link above.
Without giving their plots' away, each film in my opinion is beautifully made, evident a lot of love went into each, with incredibly poignant and powerful stories behind each, and I personally feel the 5 would work as a Film Package to tour nationwide, as a means of challenging the stigmas and stereotypes that each Short deftly addresses. I'd be more than happy to attend as many as I could! It was also nice to recognise familiar names in the credits of those shorts that also had a helping hand towards the creation of my own short.
I was also pleased with the reception of Snapshot. Having audience members come up to me with their kind words and feedback, with many still with a tear in their eye.
It genuinely means the world to me when my work has that emotional impact, and resonates with people, which in turn makes the; dozens of drafts, Zoom hours, production and post-production hours feel all the more worthwhile, having the strong urge to go and write and film more as a result of it!
I'll leave this short but sweet wetting with my favourite take-away quote from my introduction, with the rest to keep close to my chest and better typed up, if a next time is on the cards!
"...I feel by telling this semi-autobiographical story, that those who endure similar can resonate and see there is hope, only if those unaware and uninformed see stories such as Snapshot, and gain insight into the care and respect we'd need in order to grow and thrive with what we have to offer and contribute."