Harrogate film shines light on cyber bullying in hard-hitting production

An innovative Harrogate-based film company's hard-hitting new project is bringing awareness to the growing problem of cyber-bullying facing youngsters and the often innocuous ways it can manifest.
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The roots of Wayside Trinity Limited, which is dedicated to giving voices to those who often feel they're unheard, go back to 2012 when three young film enthusiasts, Abraham Fieldsend, Zachary Fieldsend and Steven Jones-Robertson, formed Wayside Productions, a small amateur film production company.

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Modest and small in scope at first, the small team wanted to make original content and brand it as such, using their production company to represent their creative collaborations in short films.

A still from Harrogate filmmakers Wayside's short film about cyber bullying released earlier this month online starringHolly Pennington andSarah Hjort.A still from Harrogate filmmakers Wayside's short film about cyber bullying released earlier this month online starringHolly Pennington andSarah Hjort.
A still from Harrogate filmmakers Wayside's short film about cyber bullying released earlier this month online starringHolly Pennington andSarah Hjort.

After working on a few small projects Wayside Productions took off properly with the release of Remnants of a Dream, its first official short film as a production company, in 2014.

By the start of 2016 Wayside Productions had re-branded to Wayside, a move made to represent the shift in Wayside’s purpose and vision.

Not only do the team write, produce and direct their own features, they dabble in all areas of art and creative media, including art, poetry and talks, they also specialise in unique and original ideas.

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They have aimed to become auteurs in the way they design and create content, striving to entertain, shock, surprise, inspire and, more importantly, be unique.

Recent years have seen the Wayside team build up an impressive collection of their own original short films and feature screenplays.

Now comes their latest film - Rope which was shot in the Jennyfield area of Harrogate, as well as Darley near Pateley Bridge.

So potent is its portrayal of cyber bullying, its makers say it is intended for mature audiences only and viewer discretion is strongly advised.

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Abraham Fieldsend, Wayside Trinity Limited's co-founder and co-director, said: "Our film Rope is about how easy it is for words to hurt, and, perhaps, more dauntingly, how easy it is for perpetrators to not feel responsible when their actions are online.

"It also highlights the often severe consequences bullying can cause to the victim.

"We are aware there are countless anti-bullying videos online, however we feel as though a lot of them target the wrong audience.

"While most videos do serve as useful reminders we felt that we needed to appeal to the audience who really needs to hear the message the most; the bullies.

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"Of course, our video is not limited to that, but we knew in order to extend the reach of our message we would have to use harsh and potent imagery, as you will see in the final product."

Released earlier this month online, Rope stars Holly Pennington and Sarah Hjort with original music by Kurt Tomlinson.

It's been a project particularly close to the heart of its writer and director Abraham Fieldsend.

He said: "As a parent to a toddler and uncle to a niece and nephew already at primary and secondary school respectively, I am more than aware of the dangers of cyber-bullying and its prevalence in modern society.

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"A total of 95% of children under 18 use one or more social media devices. With apps like TikTok and YouTube filling the conversation, I thought the most effective way to communicate with young people would be through visual mediums and social media platforms."

For more information on Wayside Trinity, visit

https://www.waysidetrinity.com/

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