Shooters – Spirit Aid

Shooters
Filmmaking Project

Shooters Project

Shooters is the filmmaking project of Spirit Aid. Shooters is run by a small team who have been working together since 2009. The combined knowledge, skills and experience the team have developed, make them a driving force in Glasgow’s independent film scene and has seen Shooters grow in stature year on year. The spirit which they bring to each project is nothing short of amazing, with their empathetic, fun-orientated but at the same time professional and ethical manner of working.

Check out our films below

The story of Shooters Filmmaking Project

David Hayman created the programme back in 2002, using his vast knowledge of the industry to empower young people and give them a voice through the medium of film. He is now Executive Producer on every Shooters Project.

Shooters is currently run by a small team of industry professionals who have been working together since 2008. The combined knowledge, skills and experience the team have developed make them a driving force in Scotland’s independent film scene. The team specialise in working with those who have fallen through the net, who are disengaged and often with little access to cultural activities. Shooters have been active in the filmmaking industry since 2002 and have a huge success rate, as well as an award-winning body of work. This includes ‘Time to Tell’, which won the Koestler Platinum Award and ‘Water of Life’, which won the Islay Creative Arts Award. “Wasted Time” also received an official selection for The Glasgow International Film Festival.

Shooters have made over 80 films, involving over 1000 young people from over 30 different nationalities. These include films made in partnership with schools, prisons, homeless organisations and youth clubs. These films have highlighted issues such as knife crime, bullying, mental health, addiction, domestic abuse and sex trafficking. Shooters also have a catalogue of films that have been produced abroad. In 2010, Shooters travelled with Spirit Aid to Khayelitsha, a squatter camp in the heart of Cape Town, South Africa. Alongside a documentary, The Shooters Team worked with a group of young people in the township on a film project about gun crime in the area.

The creative spirit brought to each project is one of empathy and understanding.

Shooters mentor young people to conceive, produce, direct, shoot, and perform in films about those issues and the direct impact they have on their lives. During the process, they learn valuable lessons about teamwork, the technicalities of filmmaking, self-expression, new skills, creative writing and confidence building. In addition, they gain hands-on experience in the operation of camera equipment, sound equipment, prop sourcing and logistics, as well as roles in make-up and costume departments.

In the past, Shooters have been commissioned by Strathclyde Fire Service, NHS Scotland, NHS Argyll and Bute, Scottish Prison Service, Argyll and Bute Education Department, Highland Disability and North Lanarkshire Council. A number of these films have been circulated around local Schools and emergency services and used as an educational tool.

Over the years, The Shooters Team have built up a network of some of the best industry professionals in Scotland, including script writers, crew members, directors and well-known working actors. These Shooters Associates host workshops and skills sessions and have been invaluable to participants.

The Shooters Legacy is of great importance. The team believe that keeping a continued relationship with the participants is what makes the programme unique. After completing the programme, the graduates can become mentors themselves on future Shooters projects. Shooters will also assist any graduates who wish to pursue a career in the creative industries.

The creative spirit brought to each project is one of empathy and understanding. The team’s professionalism is paralleled with a fun- orientated and free-thinking environment. This participant led and non- authoritative approach allows the team to build trusting relationships with the group and encourages them to express themselves fully.

Shooters Films

Wasted Time

Changes

The Easy Way Out

The making of wasted time

Speak Out

Through The Dark

The Govanites

The Last Cigarette

Nursery Crhymes

Moe Abutoq

Director, Producer, Filmmaker

After completing his HND in Film and Television, Moe has been a valuable member of the shooters team, making over 30 issue based short films. His past experiences include filming, directing and producing, including the feature film ‘Wasted’ and various documentaries, some of which have covered delicate issues such as disability and heroin addiction. Moe has also co-directed several episodes of the award-winning Scottish drama ‘River City’. Most recently he has been making a short film working alongside the inmates of Barlinnie Prison. In 2012 he was brought on board by ‘Raindog’ to mentor 3rd year acting students at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for ‘acting for camera’ workshops and numerous summer schools for acting with international students. As a filmmaker, the experience and knowledge that Moe has acquired throughout the years have made him a beneficial member of any production.

David Hayman Jnr

Director, Editor, Mentor

Since completing a short media course in 2004, David has been involved in film and television ever since. Working as a mentor in Shooters. He has also produced over 30 short films. Directing credits include ‘The Corkscrew Road’ (Short Film), Co-directed 5 episodes of ‘River City’ (Television), ‘Damage Done’ (BBC Documentary), ‘The Ushers’ (Theatre) and feature films ‘Wasted’ and ‘Time’. David has also worked as an assistant editor for La Plante productions in London, gaining valuable experience on shows including ‘Trial and Retribution’ and ‘The Commander’. With over 10 years experience in the industry, David has gathered skills in just about every department to make him an all-round filmmaker.

Fraz Raheem

Director of Photography, Cameraman, Mentor

Since completing an HND in Television Operations and Productions at the Glasgow Metropolitan College in 2006, Fraz has been working as a mentor in Shooters. He has been a Director of Photography on over 30 short films and Documentaries. DOP credits include ‘The Corkscrew Road’ (short film), ‘Water of Life’ (short film) and ‘Damage Done’ (BBC Documentary). He has worked as a documentary cameraman for the Spirit Aid filming their overseas projects in the Townships of South Africa and bush communities of Malawi. He was also the very first person in Scotland to receive the ‘Young Scot of The Year Award’ in 2006 as well as winning the ‘Cultural Diversity Award’ that same year.