Dixie Dean - Session 8

The session today was about creative writing and communicating a message to other people as part of the next part of our campaign.

We discussed different forms, styles and purposes of creative writing and used flip-charts to record our discussion. Everybody had an imput on these tasks.

We looked at forms of literature such as books, magazines, electronic media, newspapers and text messages. We looked at styles of communicating writing such as fiction, non-fiction, science fiction to name just a few.

We then went on to discuss audiences and how different forms are aimed at different audiences and age-groups.
(1.1, 1.2, 4.1)


In terms of our own campaign the form we decided best suited our work was story telling and scripts for a video. We decided that the styles that fitted our work was a combination of fiction and non-fiction because its based on truth but we are scripting for a drama that communicates that reality. We also felt that horror and thriller went well with our piece of work.

The purpose we decided was to inform, educate, raise awareness, challenge and teach. We felt it was about diswading young people and provoking them with a powerful message about the impact of addiction.
(1.3,4.2)

The inspiration for our work is based on life experiences that the group have. We went back over our life maps and picked out certain key moments that had a big impact on our lives. Key moments that made us want to change.

We presented our ideas back to the group talking back through our timeline giving a beginninhg middle and end using these key moments.
(2.1, 2.2)

We pitched our ideas to the group and had an open debate about what people thought and felt in response. I listened to other peoples views and gave my opinions.

WE decided on key themes to work on such as FAMILY BREAKDOWN, CRIME, DEATH, MENTAL HEALTH, WITHDRAWAL, JAIL, DESPERATION TO SCORE and then each of us worked on an individual piece.

The piece I worked on was about family breakdown. I said that it was a scene with no atmosphere, the partner crying about having no food and money to pay the bills. The group discussed this and suggested that the scene had lead to becoming homeless and I should be a scene recalling the breakdown of relationships that lead to the homelessness.
(3.1, 3.2, 5.1)

The writing piece is a work in progess but I am happy with how it has developed overall and think it will be a powerful element of the final piece.
(3.3, 5.2)


Creative Narrative "Home. In the living room. There is no atmosphere. The kids aren't being kids as they are scared to play in case they make a noise. The wife is accusing you of having an affair - you are, with Lady Heroin. There is foil on the table and a works out. The kids don't have computer games or any other games. Money is tight, its just used for you. The family are walking on egg shells, they don't want to make a noise as they are scared of your reaction. You steal from your family. The reality sets in. You do the crime you do the time."

Dialogue
"I need to pay the bills, the kids need food, clothes and shoes! F*ck off! I need the money to score! Daddy are you a smack head?"

Addiction Speaking
"You'll be ok once you've scored. You'll be ok, they'll put yours up. You can always lie to mum to get more money."