ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE

After yesterday’s passing mention of Shooting People and the offers of ‘training’ posted on their site, what should turn up but yet another example that looks to steal from hard-up filmmakers. What’s more, this one’s a bit touchy but I make no apology.

Call me hard-bitten, but am I really the only person who took offence at the person posting on SP on behalf of the Zero Tolerance Charitable Trust in Edinburgh? Well if I am, there goes the sisterhood…

And here’s what they’re after...

“We are looking for short films, less than 4 minutes long, that examine any or all aspects of violence in young relationships including the beliefs that lead to violence and the effect it has on young women. The best 10 films we receive will be screened at the Edinburgh Filmhouse on Monday 5th March 2007 to mark the start of International Women's Week and your film could be one of them.”

Or to paraphrase this clumsily worded brief, because that’s what it is, what the ZTCT is asking for are free films to promote their charity. Now I’m sure a lot of people might be thinking, oh, it’s only a competition and it’s for a really good cause. Is that so? How many people do you know who spend their spare time, hard-earned cash and whatever gear they can muster on making ‘less than four minute’ films about men being violent to women? And if it’s a competition, then how come there’s no mention of a prize, apart from the promise of an outing at the Edinburgh Filmhouse – no doubt in poxy Cinema 3 to fourteen people. Oh, but I’m forgetting.

“… your work will also be viewed by a panel of professionals in the film industry who are always on the lookout for emerging Scottish talent.”

What film industry would that be then? The ZTCT might want to try naming some names of those professionals, because I can’t think of anybody in film here who’s making a living right now. No, because it’s that same old shabby line about looking for new talent. Seems to me the only talent that gets spotted is the talent that’s already made a name for itself. Okay, so Elaine C. Smith is a trustee of the charity, and no offence to her, but I fail to see in what way an actress can propel anybody’s film career.

Finally we get to the truth.

“…the films we receive will be used as part of our vital campaigning work throughout Scotland.”

That’s the cat right out of the bag then. Why couldn’t they just be honest about it and ask for a volunteer? Or commission a promo from one of the local colleges? Or offer expenses to a filmmaker willing to do the job for free?

I can just see myself phoning round my pals – ‘hiya, how d’you fancy playing a victim for less than four minutes and no money?’ or ‘you too can have a starring role as a wife beater – that’ll really help your chances of getting a girlfriend’.

This charity supports women who suffer domestic violence. A good cause, definitely. As their campaign slogan says – No Man Has the Right. In my book, neither does a charity, no matter how worthy, to lie to people. The ZTCT needs to educate themselves about another kind of violence – economic violence, the kind that robs people by exploiting their labour and even worse, to ask for tailor-made commercials under the false premise of being talent-spotted. Judging by the great and the good on their board and the staff on their payroll, like a lot of charities, surely this one can afford to pay even the minimum costs of a commercial.

Zero tolerance to that, I say. And it took less than four minutes to get it off my tits.