Shields Stories
Amber Films (Current Affairs Unit) 1988
Aimed at highlighting a variety of social issues within a soap format, these short dramas were developed specifically around the onesAmber saw confronting the lives of people in North Shields during its residency in the town. They are linked to territory explored in The Privatisation Tapes and, later, in Dream On. They were originally made to play on video screens in waiting rooms and other public spaces, but were eventually rejected by North Tyneside Council, which was going to show them.
Featuring the first screen appearance of Tyneside actor Robson Green, this package of ten short dramas aimed at highlighting a variety of social issues within a soap format. They follow the fortunes of seven interlinked characters as they try to make sense of their lives in a community which has suffered the effects of government policies: cuts in the health, education and social services; unemployment; lack of resources for the elderly and the lack of future promise for youth.
Ray Gets a Job
Accident
Truant
Debt
Joyride
Probation
Florrie
Reading and Writing
Hot Dogs
Pregnancy
Credits
Writers: Tom Hadaway, Kitty Fitzgerald, Steve Trafford
Crew: Ellin Hare, Peter Roberts, Richard Grassick, Judy Tomlinson, Murray Martin, Brian McEvoy
Music: Ray Stubbs & Sammy Johnson
Made under the auspices of the ACTT Workshop Declaration
Financial assistance from Northern Arts and Channel Four Television
Cast
Betty: Amber Styles
Ray: Ray Stubbs
Bert: Art Davies
Mickey: Wayne Buck
Derek: Robson Green
Sharon: Anna Gascoigne
Lil: Norma Day
Harry: Tom Hadaway
Gwen: Gwen Doran
Jimmy: Mike Elliott
Ambulance Driver (Accident): Brian Hogg
Welfare Officer (Truant): Pauline Moriarty
Ist Policeman (Joyride): Richard Sands
2nd Policeman (Joyride): Mike Yeaman
Jim Kileen (Probation): Andy Kennedy
Gasman (Florrie): Denny Ferguson
Man at DHSS (Florrie): Mickey Dolan
As themselves (Hot Dogs): Ralph Gardner School Dinner Ladies
Keywords
Accident, Community, Crime, Cuts, Debt, Education, Jobs, Joyride, Literacy, Loan Shark, Meadow Well, North East, North Shields, Old Age, Privatisation, Probation, School Meals, Social Services, Teenage Pregnancy, Truancy, Unemployment
Reviews and Awards
Royal Television Special Award (1987)
Silver Medal Film & TV Festival, New York (1987)
Associated Work
For a monthly changing selection of films and videos by Amber and its friends, visit www.sidetv.net.
For more information about Amber and its film and photographic work, visit www.amber-online.com