Stephen Clarke is an award winning film director living in Somerset.
He is currently working as a freelance director and tutor in video production.
other teaching includes:
Dartington College of Arts
Television School of Estonia
Strode College, Somerset
The Engine Room, Bridgwater
Bridgwater College BA students
gog theatre company - 1981 to 1994
Founder member of Gog Theatre Company working for 13 years as an actor, teacher and director.
The company became one of South West England’s leading companies specialising in new devised performance work for regional and national touring, theatre for young people, and International Cultural Exchange leading projects in the Cameroon, West Africa, St Petersburg and the Republic of Georgia.
producer / director
Co producing and devising a short film with women with learning disabilities about tackling the fear of going for their first mammogram.
A biggerhouse film production for NHS Avon Breast Screening in association with BANES
producer / director
14 films produced for the University of Bristol’s Common Cause Research Project
Common Cause is a new collaborative arts and humanities initiative mapping routes to greater inclusion that enable the UK’s diverse population to fully participate in research and collaborations.
producer / film maker / mentor
Different Voices is an ongoing talent development and mentoring programme for emerging filmmakers and creatives from the Neurodiverse community. In residence for three months at Arnolfini, Bristol, we produced 8 films which were also screen at Sheffield Doc Fest and Encounters 2018.
The project is a biggerhouse film production for 104 films supported by Creative Skillset’s Film Skills Fund, with BFI’s Film Forever National Lottery fund in association with the Arnolfini.
collaborator
Researching a creative development practice through walking with Dave Richmond of Arts In Development.
‘Walks in Development are short walks that help us focus on our creative development. They help remind us who we are and bring us into a creative alignment with those around us and the wider world.’
film maker / mentor
A 3 month Neurodiverse film talent development programme of workshops and mentoring for nine emerging film makers. Five of the films were showcased at the Edinburgh Festival 2017.
Co-produced with 104 films
Supported by Creative Skillset’s Film Skills Fund, with BFI’s Film Forever National Lottery funds.
film maker / tutor
Working with Polish residents from Somerset to make content for the launch of a new online channel called Polish Voice TV.
The project is initiated by Somerset Film and is funded by the Somerset Skills & Learning Council.
film maker
Working with students from six Primary Schools to produce 13 live action/animation films for the refurbished New Room museum at the John Wesley Chapel in Bristol.
Commissioned by Cod Steaks design and build company 2016
designer / maker / plumber / electrician / etc
As far back as I can remember, I have wanted to build a small wooden house. So, in March 2013 I began what was to be a three year project to construct my own ‘cabin on wheels’, a total adventure as I had never made anything on this scale before. In 2016 I took a year out of work to complete the project.
script development / co producer
A film for the NHS Partnership Foundation Trust in association with Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust promoting better awareness about Cervical cancer aimed at women with learning disabilities.
A biggerhouse film production for JUMPcuts in association with Somerset Film 2015.
script development
DVD of five films produced with adults with learning disabilities looking at encouraging engagement in more active, healthy lifestyles.
Commissioned by Somerset County Council – Public Health
a biggerhouse production for JUMPcuts 2015
producer / director / editor
DVD containing nine films showing how Somerset County Council support people with learning disabilities to lead extraordinary, independent lives.
Commissioned by Somerset County Council
A biggerhouse film production for JUMPcuts in association with Somerset Film 2014.
writer / producer
Creation of teaching that pack works alongside Germ Academy, an award winning comic horror film about food hygiene made by adults with learning disabilities.
The pack provides an interactive flexible learning experience designed to help students live independently.
A biggerhouse film production for JUMPcuts in association with Somerset Film 2016
film maker in residence
Working at two transitional centres for excluded students aged 9-18 as part of Into Film’s See It Make It programme. The project matched professional filmmakers with local clusters of film clubs to support groups of young people to make their own short films.
Supported by the British Film Institute, Into Film is the UK’s film learning programme for 5-19 year olds, encouraging and enabling watching, making and critical understanding of film
producer / director / editor
An epilepsy awareness training film, this is a dramatised reconstruction showing the stages leading up to a secondary generalised Tonic clonic seizure.
Commissioned by the Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
A biggerhouse film production for JUMPcuts in association with Somerset Film 2014.
film maker in residence
Working with Somerset Film as a guest lecturer in film for young student film makers on the BFI Film Academy Scheme: a new UK initiative providing opportunities and training for talented and committed young people from all backgrounds (aged 16-19) to develop new skills and build a career within the film industry.
shed builder / film maker
8 young people designing and building a shed on wheels as part of a 3 week Summer Arts College in Trowbridge.
A biggerhouse film project for Wiltshire Youth Arts Partnership and the Wiltshire Youth Offending Service supported by UNITA and Arts Council England
producer / director / editor
5 interactive training films about the barriers to accessing care for people with learning disabilities.
Commissioned by Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
JUMPcuts presents a biggerhouse film production in association with Somerset Film 2014
co – producer / editor
Short film about the arts manifesto arrived at during the side by side inclusive arts festival held at the Royal Festival Hall in March 2013. An international exhibition showcasing learning disability, art and collaboration.
Commissioned by The University of Brighton’s Faculty of Arts Inclusive Arts Practice MA
production design director
Working with Wolf and Water and Redd Barna Save The Children, Norway to produce a comic using stories and drawings generated with young asylum seekers recently arrived in Norway.
The comic will be published in Norway and will be aimed at helping future young asylum seekers understand the process they will go through as they settle into a totally new world.
producer / director
Lost in the world of her drawing book, Amy tries to escape the boredom of a cooking class at college but gets more than she bargained for as her fellow students turn against her . .
Made with students from Bridgwater College, RIP is a three minute comic horror film made for First Light
A biggerhouse film for JUMPcuts / 104 films
film maker / student mentor
Working over a term with degree student Sam Al-Haj to produce his film ‘moody’ an unusual documentary about depression and anxiety.
film maker in residence
workshop with Bath & North East Somerset Youth Dance Company for Somerset Film and Pavilion Dance South West
collaborator
Working with Rocket Artists and The University of Brighton’s Faculty of Arts Inclusive Arts Practice MA to develop the film programme for Side By Side, an international exhibition showcasing learning disability, art and collaboration.
The exhibition ran for a month in the Spirit Level Gallery in the Royal Festival Hall. London in March 2013
film maker in residence
Working with Somerset Film as a guest lecturer in film for young student film makers on the BFI Film Academy Scheme: a new UK initiative providing opportunities and training for talented and committed young people from all backgrounds (aged 16-19) to develop new skills and build a career within the film industry.
producer / director / editor
Production and design of a DVD including 9 films for the Jurassic Coast Earth Festival 2012 showcasing a programme of specially commissioned arts projects to celebrate England’s only natural World Heritage Site; the 95 miles of stunning coastline that runs from Exmouth to Swanage.
associate producer
“A believer in helping; a learning disability person of standing. His last project was for better information about cancer. He raised money to make this film but never saw it finished. Despite his disabilities, don’t underestimate David’s understanding of the choices he had left.”
Funded by Glastonbury Mencap + Somerset NHS Partnership Foundation Trust
film maker
Using a thermal imaging camera and working with Transition Town Taunton to produce 6 short films exploring our relationship to energy.
a biggerhouse film production for Transition Town Taunton and The Brewhouse March 2012
film maker in residence
Working Pete Snelling and over 80 students from Chiltern Trinity School in Bridgwater to produce positive content and media to be showed continuously on on 7 plasma screens accross the new campus.
A Somerset Film Production
writer / director
Working with members of the Bridgwater Senior Citizen’s forum to generate original creative content for three days of live radio produced by and for older people and the wider community of all ages.
Broadcast live from The Engine Room on 87.9FM and online on 4/15/16 March 2012.
produced by Bridgwater Senior Citizen’s forum with Somerset Film at the Engine Room
producer / director
2 films for the DotComUnity website. An online Disability Directory, for activities, events and services in the SW
producer / director
Mark sits on the outside. He sees everything but never takes part . . .
“It’s all in here. In my book. If something happens, I write it down. What I hear, what I see, and what they say. I take my book with me all the time. It’s full of bits of people”.
. . . but a secret from the past will finally make him connect to the present.
Funded by: Somerset County Council Network For Social Change Lankelly Chase Foundation & South West Screen
A biggerhouse film production for JUMPcuts in association with Somerset Film 2011.
producer / director / editor
A Relationships & Sexuality training DVD. 5 real life stories about relationships and sexuality from people with a learning difficulty.
Michael wants a girlfriend but is stuck in the grey zone.
Phil and Ali are moving in together.
Jo has never talked about it, since it happened.
Anton says it’s just a label.
Dan thinks they’re ready but Sue is not so sure.
A biggerhouse film production for JUMPcuts in association with Somerset Film 2011.
director / editor
6 x films profiling the work of an independent Shared Lives scheme operating in the south west of England: delivering long term services, short breaks, day support and community based services.
A biggerhouse film production for Shared Lives SW
producer / director / editor
Video made with 2BME an LGBT youth group based in Devises for the Stonewall “it gets better – today” campaign.
funded by Wiltshire Young People’s Opportunity Fund
a biggerhouse film production for 2BME
film maker
Working with lead artist Sue Palmer on part of a 5 day place-responsive digital arts workshop in Bridport with young people. Through public engagment, a site specific video projection work was produced for the windows of Bridport Arts Centre.
Commissioned by PVA MediaLab, Dorset
producer / director
Film Academy – a creative film making project for people with learning disabilities.
Film Academy is a long-term film making project that will enable groups of adults with learning difficulties to become empowered storytellers, filmmakers and actors.
Film Academy will build opportunities for students to take part equally in the culture of film.
A biggerhouse film production for JUMPcuts in association with Somerset Film.
director / producer / editor
Paul makes the big mistake of letting his brother know he fancies Sam . . .
. . . who tells his dad, who tells his support worker, who tells his teacher . . .
They are all just trying to act in Paul’s ‘Best Interest’ But it doesn’t work like that . . .
Won ‘Best Overall Film’ award at the Oska Bright Festival 2011.
Won ‘Best Drama’ award at the Flash Forward Film Festival in Oxford 2010.
A biggerhouse film production for JUMPcuts in association with Somerset Film 2009.
film maker
One of eight films under the title “This Is Me!” made with students from the Getting A Life Project (Somerset Work Preparation Service – Yeovil, ROC in Totnes and South Devon College)
The films were made as creative portraits of where they are now and what they hope for in the future.
A biggerhouse film production for JUMPcuts.
director / editor / producer
Following three characters’ interweaving stories as they battle with issues arising from learning disability, mental illness and dementia.
Commissioned by Somerset County Council as a training resource to dramatise issues raised by the Mental Capacity Act to be used in staff training as a focus and discussion point.
A biggerhouse film production for JUMPcuts in association with Somerset Film 2009.
director / producer / editor
A series of 8 films called “How Are You?” which tell deeply personal health related stories from adults with learning disabilities made as a training resource for health and social care practitioners.
Commissioned by Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and made at Fiveways Resource Centre, Yeovil.
A biggerhouse film production for JUMPcuts 2010.
producer
A 13 minute animated musical about oral hygiene made with learning disabled students and produced for NHS Somerset.
Fred runs away from the dentist because his teeth start singing to him. “Attention, Attention, this is your teeth, talking to you from your mouth!” In this epic musical journey, Fred meets Mr Toothpaste and Mr Toothbrush and learns everything there is to know about teeth and the entire subject of Dental Hygiene.
The film has won the Education Business Award For 2010 – Somerset County Council. The Patron’s Prize at the National Oral Health Promotion Group conference 2010 and the ‘Best Education Award’ at the Picture This Film Festival in Canada.
A biggerhouse film production for JUMPcuts in association with Somerset Film.
co director
In July 2009 biggerhouse film joins forces with somerset film to launch JUMPcuts a training and production partnership in association with Somerset County Council and Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
High quality digital media co-produced by people with learning disabilities reaching audiences across the UK and beyond.