CURRICULUM VITAE

stephen clarke

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

background info:

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.

david’s diary | april 2012

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


thermalogues | march 2012

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


flock of words | 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


making waves FM | february 2012

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.

They will be broadcasting live from The Engine Room on 87.9FM and online at www.somersetfilm.com on 14/15/16 March 2012.

produced by Bridgwater Senior Citizen’s forum with Somerset Film at the Engine Room

 


DotComUnity | january 2012

producer / director

2 films for the DotComUnity website. An online Disability Directory, for activities, events and services in the SW

see films


in my book | 2011

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.


moving on | 2011

producer / director / editor

Moving On (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 2008.


shared lives | june 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

see films


starting now | february 2011

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

 


outside in | december 2010

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


film academy | 2010 +

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.


best interest – Paul’s Story | October 2010

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.


this is me! | february 2010

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.


best interest | july 2009

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.


how are you? | october 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.


teeth – the musical | august 2009

producer / vocal production + mixing

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.


JUMPcuts | july 2009

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.

 


mencap arts consultancy | july 2009

film maker

One of a series of 21 films made with young people with learning disabilities in Somerset, Bristol and Cornwall as part of an arts consultancy for MENCAP.

A biggerhouse film production for MENCAP 2009


BILD | march 2009

director

Introduction to the Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safegaurds The British Institute of Learning Disability.

Four short films dramatising issues relating to the new Government Guidelines about Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Commissioned by British Institute of Learning Disability.

A biggerhouse film production for JUMPcuts in association with Somerset Film 2009.


shape UP | 2008

co-writer / director / producer / editor

A 20 drama about healthy eating made by a cast of learning disabled actors.

‘James needs to lose weight but he’s fed up with everyone having a go at him…. Jane wants to stop eating junk food but finds it too tempting… Jake wants to put weight on because he thinks he is too weedy…When will they all learn to ‘shape UP!’?

Commissioned by the Food Standards Agency and Somerset Learning Disability Services.

A biggerhouse film production for JUMPcuts in association with Somerset Film 2008.


all about us… | march 2008

film maker / mentor

Working with 2BU, a group of young gay, lesbian + bisexual people in Somerset.

Mediabox/Young People’s Film Council film Supported by The Engine Room at Somerset Film and Video Ltd.


it is for the tiger | october 2006

animation + web design

live performance event produced by Sue Palmer

watch videos on youtube

see website


tor dance festival | september 2006

film maker / mentor

creative documentary response to the Tor Dance Festival in Glastonbury

film maker: Laura Hylton


isis unveiled | september 2006

design + video

album cover design and video documentation for Jaki Whitren’s new album – ISIS UNVEILED due for release Spring 2007.


germ academy | april 2006

co-writer / director / producer / editor

A 23 minute comic horror film about food hygiene made by a cast of learning disabled actors.

Jane lives on her own, and let’s face it, her flat is in a bit of a state. No wonder her friends won’t come round, let alone eat the food she makes. One day Jane cooks for Mike. He takes one look at it and escapes, leaving Jane to finish the food herself and to a night she will never forget . . .

Commissioned by the Food Standards Agency and Somerset Learning Disability Services. A biggerhouse film production for JUMPcuts in association with Somerset Film 2006

Awards: S.W. Total Communication The Easy Language, FOODLINK Communicating Food Safety Award. Picture This film festival! Canada Education Award. Best Special Effects Oska Bright Festival.


video and animation workshops | 2005

film maker / teacher

10 days of creative film making for adults with learning difficulties

produced by Learning Disability Services, Somerset in association with the engine room


field | may 2005

film maker

creative arts lab led by Sue Palmer

produced by Take Art

watch video on youtube.com


every child matters | february 2005

film maker

interactive dvd made with 2BU a group of young gay, lesbian + bisexual people living in Somerset.

produced by the engine room in association with Government Office South West


syzygy | 2004

film maker

video for performance of Buchinger’s Boot at the PHOENIX

project in Glastonbury


listen to us | 2004 to 2005

director / producer / editor

“Four short films about things that are important to us!”

Made by a cast of learning disabled actors: the stories cover friendship, how to complain if you are unhappy, respite care and ways in which Social Services are there to help service users.

Commissioned by Somerset County Council.

A biggerhouse film production for JUMPcuts in association with Somerset Film.


our lives through the keyhole | october 2004

film maker

17 short films made with Carr-Gomm Residents in Birmingham, Bristol, Aylesbury + Somerset

Produced by biggerhouse film for the engine room in association with Carr-Gomm, a Social Landlord + registered charity.

watch video on youtube.com


2BU | july 2004

film maker

Working with 2BU, a group of young gay, lesbian + bisexual people. The video is about their lives growing up in Somerset.

A biggerhouse film production for the engine room.


psi: mid space | april 2004

video, sound + web design

live performance event produced by Sue Palmer

see website


table madness | december 2003

video installation / soundscape artist

produced in association with the Brewhouse, Taunton and Halcon Community Primary School


the bigger picture | may 2003

director

video promoting ‘Widening Participation in Somerset’

produced by somerset film + video and Somerset Adult Learning + Leisure.


shot by shot | april 2003

course tutor

a 10 week digital video production course

produced by somerset film + video.


i want to complain | february 2003

director

a short film which tells the story of three people who are fed up, and want to complain, but don’t know how.

produced by Six Acres Resource Centre in association with somerset film + video.


the engine room | 2002 to 2003

project manager

design and build of new media centre in Bridgwater


put on a happy face | june 2002

film-maker

View of the the Somerset town of Wellington by members of Genesis Youth Theatre.

Produced by somerset film + video in association with First Light Films.


pay for what you done | june 2002

film maker

A Social Inclusion In the Media Arts project with 20 young people, working with 5 film-makers and 5 actor-musicians to devise and produce their own 30 minute film.

Produced by somerset film + video in association with Action Track Performance Company and Take Art!


say it with film | march 2002

course tutor

video production course, Brewhouse, Taunton.

produced by the Brewhouse, Taunton in association with somerset film + video.


catching the light | 2001

film maker

Promotional video ‘Boy Of Science’

Produced by Somerset Film + Video


art + power | august 2001

creative director

Promotional interactive cd rom


what is devising?

guest film maker

Working with five MA students to produce a video intended to introduce the rich field of devised theatre and ways to approach working with it.

Shot during the international ‘Devising for Live Performance Festival’

produced for Dartington College of Arts


hair raising | february 2001

web designer + maker

live performance by Sue Palmer + Vic llewellyn

more info


somerset film + video website | 2000 to 2004

webmaster


i don’t live here | february 2000

director

A 12 minute documentary for ‘Figures In A Landscape’, a series produced for HTV West about a unique and extraordinary Glastonbury resident called Alison Collyer.

Produced by somerset film + video.


the PHOENIX project | 2000 to 2005

co-director

A new experimental arts space based in Glastonbury

see website


glastonbury net radio | 1999

co-producer

12 documentaries for netcasting focusing on the town of Glastonbury, the arts and social change.

see archive website


the PHOENIX project | december 1999

co-designer / maker

Metal phoenix installation for Glastonbury Millennium Celebrations


the quay thing | september 1998

film maker

Video covering the production of six new performance works, involving over thirty professional practitioners. Performances were created specifically for a number of sites on and around Exeter’s Quayside, including a large warehouse, the working boatyard, the former Municipal Power Station and the Medieval Exe Bridge.

Funded by The National Lottery Through The Arts Council of England, Exeter Arts Council & dB Sound and Lighting.

produced for wrights & sights


pilot navigation | july 1998

film maker

Video documentation of four interweaving pilot performances created specifically for a boat journey between Exeter’s Quayside and the Double Locks pub on the canal.

Funded by The National Lottery Through The Arts Council of England, Exeter Arts Council & dB Sound and Lighting.

produced for wrights & sights


the drop | 1997

directed by Stephen Clarke

won ‘best director’ at Yaraslovl Film Festival in Russia

produced by Angelcast Productions

watch video on youtube.com


the anorak gang | 1995

director / producer

broadcast on Channel 4 / ZDF / Arte

won several awards and screened at numerous international festivals


Bournemouth Film School | 1994 to 1995

Postgraduate in Film + Video Production


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.