1 Way Up: the Story of Peckham BMX Companion Art Workshop 1 WAY up COMPANION ART WORKSHOP

1 Way Up: The Story of Peckham BMX Companion Art Workshop 1 WAY UP COMPANION ART WORKSHOP

Overview of the Film

Peckham, London is one of the most notorious areas in the UK. It is known in the media and to most Londoners as one of the neighborhoods most affected by the London riots and the scene of the brutal murder of 10-year-old Damilola Taylor by 12 and 13-year old brothers. It is an area rife with unemployment and youth gang activity. But the Peckham BMX club is starting to change that image, bringing BMX riders to podiums around the country.

One of these is 17-year-old Tre Whyte. Ranked third in the nation, CK is pushing him to win the National Championship and compete in the Olympics. Director: Amy Mathieson Family volatility and poverty have caused Tre to move out of his home, forcing him to make adult decisions at a young age. Without support, it will be a tough Producers: Albie Hecht and climb to the top. Amy Mathieson Quillan Isidore is only 16 but already a 3-time British BMX champion. But www.1wayup.com even as a champion he’s still subjected to continuing gang pressure in Twitter: @1WayUpMovie the neighborhood while the competition to become World Champion from Facebook.com/1WayUp3D sponsored riders is steep. To get a copy of the film and the public screening license: The film follows Tre, Quillan, and CK’s preparation, victories and defeats, and [email protected] interactions with family and friends, all leading up to the World Championships. It’s the story of the determination of two young athletes to defy the stereotype of kids born into poverty, violence, and family stress. It is also the story of a coach’s faith in the talent of his riders and his willingness to sacrifice his own career to help them succeed against all odds.

As the former mayor of London Ken Livingston said during the London riots, “What are you going to do to give a generation of disaffected young people some hope for the future?” The film 1 Way Up provides an answer.

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Introduction

Objectives

Students will produce short photo-romans or comicbook pages that:

• Challenge the typical media messages about their communities • Creatively explore the participants’ personal perspectives and connections with community. • Showcase photography and digital storytelling skills. • Demonstrate an understanding of the themes presented in ‘1 Way Up’.

Preparation

Facilitators will choose whether the workshop participants produce photo- romans or comicbook pages based on available resources. Facilitators will also curate a selection of media clips (news stories, short movie clips, etc.) that feature or reference the participants’ community.

Time: 1 hour following Materials/Equipment screening = 2 hours total If photo-romans will be produced: If comicbook pages will be produced:

• Cameras, and/or participants • Large sheets of drawing paper, or pre- may use their smart phones printed comicbook panel sheets • Printer and printing paper • Markers or colored pencils • Markers or colored pencils • Tape • Tape * You can also produce the comicbook pages digitally with ComicLife or similar software. You will need cameras and laptops for the digital comicbook pages.

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Activities

Discussion (10 min)

Facilitator guides participants in a brief discussion of the film and its theme of defying conventional attitudes. The discussion should emphasize how the documentary opens with a montage of news clips that frame Peckham in terms of violence and riots and the introduction of the characters acknowledging that typical representation of Peckham.

• “You think of Peckham, you think of black boys in hoods.” – Tre • “A lot of people won’t come to Peckham. They think, oh, we’ll be safer in the car.” – CK Flash • “At Peckham, it’s all violence and stuff, and then there’s one small BMX track.” – BMX kid

Discussion Questions

• Does the documentary reinforce that negative view of Peckham, or does it challenge it? • Why is it important to focus on the positive aspects of a community? • Why would the news and other media focus on violence and riots, instead of kids racing BMX bikes? • What do people generally think of your community?

Screening of Media (5-10 min)

Facilitator screens one or two pre-selected media clips that feature or reference the participants’ community within a negative frame.

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Activity (40 min):

Participants are given the following prompt: My community is…

Participants challenge the traditional and negative representations of their communities by showing the positive aspects of their communities through a series of still-photos (photo-roman) or a series of illustrated panels (comicbook page).

Possible frames with which participants could focus their images or stories, include: friends and family, school, sports and other activities, business, culture, pride, aesthetics, etc.

Photo-Roman Approach:

1. In pairs or small groups, participants spend a few minutes brainstorming ideas. (5 min)

2. Using cameras or their smart phones, they then collect images of their community based on the frame they’ve chosen or the story they would like to tell. Participants should stay close to the group, but should feel free to venture out to collect their images. (15 min)

3. Each group chooses and prints five photos to use in their photo-roman. (5 min)

4. Using the markers or colored pencils, the groups will add text bubbles, captions, or any additional element to help tell their stories or link their images. Finally, the groups should tape the individual photos together in an appropri- ate order. (10 min)

Comicbook Approach:

1. In pairs or small groups, participants spend a few minutes brainstorming ideas. (5 min)

2. Each group designs and illustrates their comicbook pages (3-5 panels), using a chosen frame or short narrative. Text bubbles and captions are also added to help tell their stories or link their images. (35 min)

5 IGNITE DISCUSSION GUIDE t 1. Presentation and Reflection (5 min):

Each group posts their photo-romans or comicbook pages. Groups take turns presenting their images, with the following questions as a guide:

• How are these images different than the ones we see in the media? • Why are these images important to the story of your community?

Acknowledgements

This curriculum was created by Shine Global and The Lamp

Design and layout: Studio REV-

Photos:

• Cover: Quillan Isidore, BMX racer. Credit: Spencer Moret • Page 2 Top: Tre Whyte, BMX racer and subject of the documentary 1 Way Up, is from Peckham South London. Credit: Andy Newbold Photography • Page 3 Top: Quillan Isidore racing at National BMX series at Braintree in 2012. Credit: Spencer Moret • Page 4: Riders ready, watch the gate... Tre Whyte and fellow clubmembers on the start line.Credit: Andy Newbold Photography • Page 5: Rising hip hop star Phreeda Sharp on set singing the title track. Credit: Laura Marie Linck • Page 6: Mattie Hemmings, BMX Flatlander and Guinness World Record Holder, featured in the documentary 1 Way Up in 3D.