Go Furness

Girls on film

Cumbria Filmmakers Network

‘aims to provide information about film activity in Cumbria for filmmakers of any standard, creating opportunities and access to training’

Jo was born in the Trough of Bowland, and grew up in Kirkby Lonsdale, where she had the good fortune to attend Queen Elizabeth School in Kirkby Lonsdale. There she became involved in the drama group and was encouraged by a special teacher, Di Sharrat who continues to promote theatre and film production to young people. In those days, limited equipment was available, but the experience was enough to give Jo ‘the bug’ for film-making. At the same time, she was inspired by an Auntie who was doing grand things in the West End of London, rubbing shoulders with James Bond characters and all sorts!

However, she was advised by parents and career’s advice people to get a ‘proper’ job, and use the skills that would guarantee her a steady income. She completed a course in Business and Finance and here she acquired business acumen and good organisational skills. She also worked for a lighting and sound company at the same time.

But her love of films and film making continued to call. She took a year out and went to Australia. She just took off. And when she was there, she sourced people who managed to tell her what she needed to hear…That it’s never too late to do and be what you want to. It was as if she was seeking the advice that she needed to give herself permission to give it a go.

She flew back in the September of that year (in time to catch the Football!) and heard about a film course at the Brewery. There was one place left.

And she’s never looked back.During the weekend course, she expressed her ideas, and everyone loved them. During her lunch break, she wrote a script. Almost as though she had all this suppressed creativity just waiting to be released. A guy on the course with a script-writing degree was blown away and she grew in self-belief. The next day, her script was filmed! She confirmed to herself that she had natural ability.

She joined an Arts Group and started making films. She had basic filming equipment, plenty of drive, ideas and creativity, but nowhere to screen her films.

And then she had an idea.

She approached the Mint Café Bar and asked if she could use the big screen to launch her new film network. Much to her delight, the owner embraced the idea, produced a film license and off she went.

Six weeks later, and with a very limited budget, she promoted and launched her new organisation, Cumbria Filmmakers Network. During her launch she screened low and big budget short films and had the support of North West Vision and Steve Wharton, who later proved to be a key individual in her journey.

The launch was magical! It has created loads of opportunities for so many people in terms of networking and later, even jobs. And since then, Cumbria Filmmakers has created the focus, and a point of reference for Cumbrian film makers. But it wasn’t easy to establish. Jo had to go to her local MP and the whole thing went to parliament.

Steve Wharton (‘The Egg’) was particularly supportive, and in fact really encouraged her after she had a negative experience at interview, and urged her to keep going. Later, he was to offer her a job. It was during this job, that she met her partner Phil, who was the writer and director of the film ‘Gan Yam’ that she was working on. And they have been working together ever since! A special thanks to Phil’s Mum who gave them a gentle shove!!!!

They now run trainings, free courses and get great satisfaction from seeing people develop their skills at film making. They also run film nights in Kendal and are soon to set up in Barrow.

The secrets of her success?
Persistent pushing, knocking on doors and not giving up.

Surrounding herself with great people who believe in her.

Using negative feedback to ‘prove them wrong’.

Good organisational skills, keeping the costs low, using available resources wisely and networking.

Her Challenges?
Keeping the momentum going, balancing time, money and energy. She joked that she could do even more if she didn’t have to sleep.

Being reliant on film makers to build up her organisation.

The responsibility of being a resource for so many people.

Having to turn down events like the Keswick and Carlisle Film Festival because there was no funding.

Her dreams?
For Cumbria Filmmakers Network to become more widely known, to be more of a support, and offer more training courses and teach Master Classes. ‘We wanna be the best.’

Advice to young film makers?
Get your foot in the door of a proper production company, get proper experience. And above all….

Just do It! Get out there and make films! (to be read with HUGE great passion)

---

Posted by Kay Hebbourn on 17th September.