Ullapool students in Wester Ross create retelling of Alice in Wonderland in short film

Ullapool students create an eccentric and vibrant retelling of Alice in Wonderland: Alice and the Hat

Create Inspire Projects (CIP) is a local performing arts company, formed in May 2020 as a follow-on from the grassroots performing arts group Create Youth Theatre.

CIP provides a range of arts-based opportunities for young people who are unable to access the many benefits of the performing arts.

CIP has run a number of community workshops for local young people, including a series of short film-making projects, supported by Groundwork UK.

Isla Pellant who played the role of the Mad Hatter in the film said: "It was really good to be doing something creative for a change, and to be outdoors with other people after a while of not doing anything because of the pandemic. It was also really interesting to be both in front and behind the camera, I'd never been around filming equipment before."

Sot Otter, director of CIP, said: "The benefits of taking part in these performing arts workshops, and the social skills they develop, are vital for young people. Developing self-confidence, empathy, social skills, physical fitness. Helping them grow in ability and confidence whilst ensuring these young people have relevant and inspiring role models, often finding them within each other. These needs have increased during the past two years of ‘Lockdown’ with many young people missing out on vital social development which has arguably impacted their well-being.

"The concept behind these projects was to support young people during the pandemic and encourage them to get outside and be creative. Students met over several sessions to create short films together, developing skills in many aspects of film-making. The short films were then presented at a live-streamed mini film festival. The local community were joined by viewers from all around the world. Create Inspire Projects is now in the process of creating a series of bespoke workshops for performing arts, prop and costume creation, set design, short film making and animation. CIP hopes to continue to reach young people who may be struggling to reconnect with their peer group after this very difficult period."

The short films were then presented at a live-streamed mini film festival. The local community were joined by viewers from all around the world. Create Inspire Projects is now in the process of creating a series of bespoke workshops for performing arts, prop and costume creation, set design, short film making and animation. CIP hopes to continue to reach young people who may be struggling to reconnect with their peer group after this very difficult period.

The short film is available to watch on their youtube channel: Create Youth Theatre

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