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WITCH's Ethos and History
In this section you'll find information about
how WITCH began and how it's grown over the years
and expanded its remit.
Mission Statement:
"WITCH's mission is to empower women
from diverse backgrounds to participate in the
creative media sector, through accessible and
quality training and support".
What is WITCH?
Scriptwriting
session. |
Womens Independent Cinema House is primarily
a training organisation that offers media production
training for young women/black women. The project
is concerned with the promotion of equality of
opportunity, which involves training and development
work to meet the special needs of Women on Merseyside.
It also exists to counter the under-representation
of Black Women in the media, thus helping to combat
institutional racism.
The project was originally set up to improve
the representation and lives of the 'Black Woman'
and her family in everyday life by portraying
and promoting positive images of the Black community
and by offering new skills and training initiatives
through day time, evening or weekend workshops
for individuals or community groups. Also by introducing
video production workshops into schools, young
girls would have practical experience in video
scripting and production steering them towards
the fact that careers in television are a possible
alternative.
History
WITCH is a non-profit making company limited
by guarentee and consists of three members of
staff - Ann Carney, Angie Thew and Angela Davies
- who are responsible for the day-to-day running
of the business. Freelance artists are hired to
provide input on training courses and undertake
commissioned work on an ad hoc basis. In addition
to the three employees, WITCH is supported by
Directors and a board of Advisors.
Seize the Time (1997)
Over the past 19 years WITCH has covered issues
relating to Black Women / Women through video,
workshops, documentaries and exhibitions and held
events to help first-time film-makers. Some of
which include:
-
Just the
job (1989) |
"A Tribute to Black Women" (They
don't get a chance) - A film which looked
at every day people and their lack of knowledge
of positive images of Black Women. (1985)
- Catalyst Productions
1&2 present "Ella" - which
focuses on Marcia Davis, who worked with Catalyst,
and features the making of "Ella"
which is a Black version of the fairytale "Cinderella".
- Women & Health -
which consists of a series of seven tapes on
women's health issues. These tapes were originally
made for Black women in South Africa.
- Just the Job - An
exhibition that consisted of 50 life-size cutouts
presenting positive images of Black women around
Merseyside. (1989)
- Doin' It The Right Way
- A documentary about Britain's best known
Black actress, Cathy Tyson, and her journey
back home to Liverpool, featuring young, black
actors today. (1995)
- Seize
The Time -
Channel 4, directed by Ann Carney, produced
by Bea Freeman. A 10 minute documentary which
highlighted the political influences in the
70s around the Blackies and Angela Davis. (1997)
-
Seize the
Time Production (1997) |
Merseyside Black Awards - The first of
its kind in the NorthWest, recognising the achievements
of young, Black entertainers and sports men
and women. (1995)
- Black Screen Film Festival
- Held in Liverpool it shows screening of short
films made by first time film-makers wanting
to break into the industry.
- Raindance, Lo-to-No
Budget Film-Making Event - Gives film-makers
the information they need on how to shoot a
film on a low budget for as little as £10,000,
hosted by Elliot Grove (Director of Raindance
in London).
What is the future for
WITCH?
WITCH believes in the importance of providing
a high quality service that meets the true requirements
of the community it serves. As part of this, WITCH
recognises the need to constantly evaluate its
performance and to expand and develop as an organisation.
- WITCH will continue to
run courses in Video Production, offering women
expert tuition in all aspects of the media,
and providing support towards childcare, travel
expenses and luncheon vouchers to ensure that
the financial barriers to accessing education
are lessened.
- WITCH will
WITCH
trainees have the opportunity to learn
all aspects of video production, from
scriptwriting to camerawork and post-production. |
continue to liaise with local media organisations
to arrange worthwhile placements for course
trainees. WITCH intends to continue running
its Customised Media Placement Course, providing
trainees with on the job experiences and support.
- WITCH plans to establish
an independent production company. This will
allow the organisation to become involved in
the wider media market place, taking up opportunities
to tender programme proposals to all terrestrial
channels, and provide WITCH trainees with the
chance to become involved in commercial production
projects.
- WITCH will continue to
run a business start-up advice and training
for women in the media creative industries.
Be@WITCH will introduce women with media
or creative art background into the world of
self-employment or assist with the development
of an existing business. This programme will
offer advice in how to prepare a business plan,
securing funds for start up and growth, business
advice and legal requirements for setting up
a company.
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