ACT 2 CAM
ACT 2 CAM is a production company and acting school based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
The company is notable for producing independent films with cast and crew of young people from 8 to 18 years old. Company members devise, perform and shoot the films, using collaborative, creative processes to make decisions.
History
ACT 2 CAM was founded in 2008 at Polam Hall School in Darlington, originally under the name "DIY Drama". Over a period of 2 years DIY Drama invited students from schools in the region to showcase their GCSE and A Level performing arts work to camera..
In January 2010 ACT 2 CAM began work with a small group of 20 young people in Whitley Bay, to devise, perform and film Beanz, which premiered at Tyneside Cinema. In May 2010 ACT 2 CAM took on more cast and crew, expanding to 3 centres across Tyne and Wear. A summer camp followed in July 2010, where Jo Ward, executive producer of Tracy Beaker, and Lisa Coleman attended the group. Over one week a cast and crew of 22 young people collaborated to make the film, Mystery Babylon, which premiered at Tyneside Cinema in May 2011 . In 2011 the company opened up 15 more centres in Durham, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Morpeth, Newcastle and Sunderland. ACT 2 CAM now has around 200 cast and crew, currently working on 15 new films.
Techniques
ACT 2 CAM cast and crew work collaboratively with a teacher-director to craft their ideas in film. Improvisation features highly in the preparation and execution of ACT 2 CAM's films. All projects begin without a script, and are developed using process drama and applied drama techniques. There is an emphasis on corporate creativity, with cast and crew working and making decisions in groups. Techniques are taught which promote teamwork and interactive skills, with a practical learning approach.
Influences
The company uses and teaches the approaches and techniques of several practitioners. The most significant influences on work are:
- Antonin Artaud
- Bertolt Brecht
- Augusto Boal
- Jerzy Grotowski
- Mike Leigh
- David Lynch
- Vsevolod Meyerhold
- Constantin Stanislavsky
Films
- Mystery Babylon (2011)
- The Good Barber (2011)
- Blood on the Catwalk (2010)
- Beanz (2010)