Student film makers spread the global warming message

Students from a Manchester school will realise a teacher's dream when they premier their own film on the topic of global warming.

The 30-minute drama was produced by up to 70 students from Parklands High in Simonsway, Benchill.

The film - on a zany time-travelling theme including seven students and amateur and professional actors - was shot in a GMPTA ring-and-ride bus depot in Openshaw using a professional director and camerman - North East based Jez Arrow - plus a mini-bus loaned by Community Transport Openshaw.

The film plot revolves around a group of students who unwittingly volunteer for a school trip on a time-travelling minibus that takes them to an uncomfortable and chaotic future classroom where climate change has taken effect, back to the carboniferous period before dinosaurs evolved to find the origins of the problem and back to the present, the only place where their actions can count and change the situation.

Funding came from the climate challenge fund run by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.)

The school group behind the project is called Rite2No, set up five years ago, and they call their film drama A Change for the Better.

For language teacher Pauline Lozoya Hocking, who has guided the project from start to finish, it is a dream come true.

Five years ago, whenRite2no formed, global warming was still not centre stage as the biggest-ever threat to mankind. But 20 years ago, when Pauline's interest was first piqued, it was simply not on most people's radar. She became aware of global warming then as she practised her French on a French physicist who would talk to her - in French - about the threat of global warming.

She said: "This film is a dream come true for me. No one would listen for years and they thought you were mad when you went on about how serious climate change would be."

The film's premiere will be held at the school on February 16 (2pm-4pm.) As well as the film show, there will be a programme of non-global warming activities like salsa dancing, singing and Tai Chi demonstrations.

The students who worked on the film were aged from 11 to 16. Many have now left the school but those still closely associated with the project will make sure that DVDs of the film are circulated as widely as possible to other schools, community groups and youth group leaders.

Allison Farrow - Parklands Leadership Team, said: "Many of us feel overwhelmed when it comes to climate change. Not the Rite2no group at Parklands - they have shown courage, creativity and incredible talent in the making of their short film - and it's great to watch".

Rite2no student Lauren Prescott added: "Making this film has changed a lot of our group's lives for the better and we're not going to go back to our old ways. We're trying to improve things for future generations."

The Executive Member for Children's Services, Councillor Sheila Newman, said: "Scientists, technologists, industrialists and politicians may be the key groups who can make the big decisions that reduce global warming. But young people everywhere - and the students at Parklands are a shining example - are the ones who will carry a crucial message into the future: that we live on a fragile planet that needs all the care it can get. Their film will help spread that message - well done to them all."

Professional actors appearing in the film are Eve Steele, who has appeared in Coronation Street and Peak Practice, and plays a present-day teacher, and Phoenix Nights actor Janice Connolly, who plays a teacher in the future.

The film makers even visited a wolf sanctuary in Shropshire to feature conservation in action.

Manchester City Council recently announced ambitious targets to tackle global warming, proposing 17 principles to guide behavioural change, reduce carbon emissions and adapt the way we live.

Media contacts:

Dave Hulme, tel: 0161 234 4610

Jane Lemon, tel: 0161 234 3179