Young people are picking up top filmmaking tips as part of a heritage project aimed at boosting mental health and wellbeing.
West Fife secondary pupils involved in the Sugarcoat initiative are learning skills including camera set-up, lighting techniques and sound recording.
The eight students from Inverkeithing, Queen Anne and Dunfermline High Schools are also finding out how to edit footage and conduct interviews.
Sugarcoat is part of a £383,000 project, Dunfermline & West Fife – Wellbeing Through Heritage, which has received £247,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The project is offering an innovative programme of activities that uses the area’s rich heritage to improve the health, happiness and wellbeing of local young people.
A key element of the three-year project, which is run by Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, is encouraging visits to parks, woodland, historic sites and cultural destinations.
Sugarcoat trainees attend skills workshops at Pittencrieff House, Fire Station Creative and two venues run by the cultural charity OnFife – Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries and Carnegie Hall.
Sessions are led by two creative industries professionals, Adam Stanley and Otto Cox, who are passionate about nurturing the next generation of storytellers.
The project focuses on creating films that shed light on challenging topics often seen as being ‘sugarcoated’ from the perspective of young people.
Trainees recently met local MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville and filmed the discussion they had about the Scottish Government’s approach to vaping.
Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries will showcase all of the group’s finished films and related materials at an exhibition due place to take next summer.
Sugarcoat is a collaboration involving OnFife, Police Scotland Youth Volunteers and Fife Council’s digital youth work service, YouthSpace Fife.
OnFife Creative Instigator Ross Christie says: “It’s been amazing watching this group of young people develop their skills and confidence.”
“They are weaving their own stories into the fabric of our local history – Sugarcoat is about tackling real issues, celebrating our heritage, and showing the world their unique perspectives.”
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