ELDERLY DANCE MUSIC FILM PROJECT

I wonder if you can help me with a short film experiment I’m working on?

Over the last couple of years, I’ve been going out to northern dance music clubs again. As I approach my 60th birthday, I don’t think there’s anything better I could be doing with my time and I’d like to talk to some of the people who’ve made it possible and impressed me.

As a photographer, I have a certain view of how to capture the joy of the dancefloor and the relationship between artists and audiences. I’m interested in their stories and especially how older people feel able to participate and how they benefit.

I’ll be talking to some of the friends I’ve made and hopefully, DJs, promoters and staff. I have an open mind on what form the film might take and just how engaging it could be. For now, I want to gather some material and see what I can make of it. Nothing would be shared beyond me and the participants at this stage until we all agreed it was a good thing and did justice to what I think is a brilliant scene that should be documented.

It’s a very exciting project for me and I hope we can talk.

The test film below, based on a conversation with Dave Haslam gives a fee of what I’m trying to do. It also taught me that once the support DJ is on, good luck getting usable audio from an interview conducted in the next room.

(No audio on interview)

We’ve discovered young DJs like Che Wax, Minsky & Hum and Dankashire Sound System and revisited the likes of David Holmes, Dave Haslam and Sasha. We’ve had a great time at venues like The Golden Lion in Todmorden, Hidden in Manchester and Distrikt in Leeds.

Our circle of friends has grown and now, up to 20 of us come together to regularly support venues and DJs and contribute to the local club scene here. We’ve been pleasantly surprised just how accessible it is to the more mature enthusiast and just how important veteran DJs are.

Simon Mooney is a photographer/ filmmaker and Simon Howley’s an experienced TV producer. Mark’s a dance nerd and former DJ. We want to tell the story of the people and places that make the local scene for us. We’d like to do interviews and maybe film behind-the-scenes and/or at events with the subject.

Danielle Moore Remembrance, The Golden Lion

We’d like to talk to the the range of people that makes it all happen, like promoters, bar staff and punters. Music from events would underpin the soundtrack. [Or maybe a new composition if the rights are too expensive]

Please email Mark if you’re happy to talk or call him on 07939 046693.

Thanks, we hope you can help.

Compilation of random interview clips

More short films