BENEATH THE SKIN
6 September 2006
Young filmmaker's work challenges the science of skin colour
A young filmmaker has produced a series of short films exploring the science of skin colour and pigmentation, to be premiered at Birmingham's ArtsFest on Saturday 9 September.
With the support of the Wellcome Trust, the UK's largest biomedical charity, and in partnership with dermatologist and production company Resource Base, the DVD 'Colour Coded' will eventually become available for secondary schools throughout the UK.
Featuring a mix of drama, dance, poetry and documentary film, 'Colour Coded' has been designed for use in personal, social, health and science education to stimulate discussion about skin colour, and to deepen understanding of the science of pigmentation from a young black perspective.
Matthew Walters, 22, is an aspiring filmmaker who lives in Handsworth, South Yorkshire. He comments:
"I came up with the idea as I began to realise that many black people love everything about being black: the culture, the style; everything except their black skin, which I think is weird. I thought I'd bring them the science and attempt to tackle the social issues attached to our skin - which is really a gift, but considered by many to be a curse."
To find out more about the science, Matthew got in touch with the Birmingham Children's Hospital and dermatologist Celia Moss. With her support he successfully applied to the Wellcome Trust Pulse scheme, which supports arts projects throughout the UK focused on engaging young people with biomedical science issues.
"Skin colour impacts on our work in so many ways," said Celia. "People with different skin types get different skin problems, and rashes look different depending on skin colour. For example, it is very hard to see red spots on a black skin, but white patches show up much more. Many skin problems are caused by people trying to change their natural colour: white people trying to be brown, and black people trying to lighten their skin. Skin colour is often a taboo subject, so it's great to get young people to think and talk about it and the effect it has on our lives."
Simon Parry, Project Manager for Pulse at the Wellcome Trust, explains: "'Colour Coded' is an excellent example of how young people can engage with scientific-related topics in a more informal manner. This innovative and exciting DVD will eventually be rolled out as an educational resource, and hopefully used time and time again encouraging lively discussion in the classroom."
The project has three main ingredients: a 'music promo' for a specially composed song written by a group of young grime producers; a short drama about a young girl who bleaches her skin; and a series of thoughts from young people.
Notes to editors
Media enquiries
Wellcome Trust
Mike Findlay
E
m.findlay@wellcome.ac.uk
T +44 (0)20 7611 8612
Press are invited to a screening of two important elements from the 'Colour Coded' DVD on Saturday 9 September at The Drum, Aston, Birmingham. From 17.00 to 17.30 we will be screening the short drama 'Fake', followed by the science promo for 'Struggles' by Merky Movements.
Join us earlier in the afternoon (from 15.30) and take part in the Birmingham Arts Fest plus some extra filming for our DVD. We'll be running a video box at The Drum to capture more people's views on skin colour for a short thought provoking sequence to be included on our educational DVD.
Please let us know if you can attend:
a. the screening - 17.00-17.30
b. the video box - 15.30-16.30
Karen, Matthew and Justin
The Colour Coded Film Project
1. The Wellcome Trust is the most diverse biomedical research charity in the world, spending about £450 million every year both in the UK and internationally to support and promote research that will improve the health of humans and animals. The Trust was established under the will of Sir Henry Wellcome, and is funded from a private endowment, which is managed with long-term stability and growth in mind.
2. Pulse is the Wellcome Trust grant funding programme supporting arts projects throughout the UK focused on engaging young people with biomedical science issues.
3. Resource Base is a television and radio production company with a special interest in education, culture and social issues. It has recently made the BAFTA-winning children's drama 'Oddsquad' with John Godber, and is currently developing a new series for Channel 4 to provide 12 deaf and disabled directors with their first half-hour documentary credit.
4. ArtsFest 2006 is the UK's largest free arts festival and it hits the streets, squares, canalsides, theatres, pubs and open spaces in Birmingham from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 September 2006. Organised by Birmingham City Council, ArtsFest features hundreds of free performances, workshops, exhibitions and screenings that showcase everyone from the city's biggest arts organisations, like the CBSO and Birmingham Royal Ballet, to individual artists, performers and designer makers.Now in its ninth year, the event attracts over 100 000 people every year, come rain or shine.