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Title: FIRST REELS INTERVIEW: Kevin Cameron, Shoot the Refugees

Reference number: 8209

Date: 1993

Sound: sound

Colour: col

Description: First Reels - a joint short film initiative from Scottish Screen (and its predecessor body the Scottish Film Council) and Scottish Television. First Reels was launched during 1991 by Scottish Film Council in response to a perceived need for small grants to help young and first time film-makers to make or complete their first film or video project. Scottish Television came in as co-sponsor at an early stage and as well as contributing to half the funds they have given the scheme a tremendous public relations boost by running three half hour documentaries showing excerpts from the First Reels. Applicants were invited to submit projects in any format and on any subject they chose. All entries were considered by a jury and thirty five projects were given grants varying from £50 to £2000. On show at the GFT are a representative selection of the best of the films and videos supported by the scheme. [Editorial from Scottish Film Council held in paper archives]

Credits: [interviewee Kevin Cameron]

Shotlist: Raw interview footage with director Kevin Cameron, concerning his short film SHOOT THE REFUGEES, made under the Scottish Film Council and Scottish Television's First Reels scheme.

Discusses: The story concerns a taxi driver and her celebrity passenger. The story begins in outer space, and ends up inside the celebrity. The theme is different points of view, and, how the same thing can be seen differently. Film-maker likes the transitions between different scenes. Based around quite a linear, simple narrative which allows different elements to be contained. Structured around building up certain expectations then throwing the viewer off. Successes of the film? Doesn't know if he likes it himself! But pleased with the pacing of it. Themes recurring in the media, play around 1980s icons of power and people's preconceptions... there's a taxi driver (boorish stupid) and a reporter (heroic, struggling for truth), he wanted to turn around stereotypes. Film is also about class. Hints towards the Gulf War.