Initial Ideas

As a group we have looked into a wide range of interesting topics and community projects to base our documentary work on. Such ideas included Brighton Aquarium, Local bike recycling projects encouraging bike riding to save the environment, a cat emporium cafe, where visitors relieve stress through petting kittens whilst drinking tea and the Bike Project which provide riding courses and recycled bikes for refugees in an attempt to help bring them into the community and to help develope life skills such as being able to interact within their new community.

I found the two bike projects through my research as I was already trying to find somewhere to buy a secondhand bike but stumbled across the very inspiring Bike Project (http://thebikeproject.co.uk). Which described what they do as refurbishing old bikes and providing bike riding and fixing lessons for refugees to help them try to adapt to their new lives.

Here is a copy of the initial email i sent to them.

Hello,

My name is Ella; I am a 1^st year Media Practice student at the University of Sussex. Part of my degree studies entails working in a small team of four students to create a short documentary film capturing the essence of a fascinating community project. Having carried out substantial research our attention has been captured by the work you do. Hence I was wondering whether you would be willing to be the subject of our documentary. 

 This would entail our visiting your premises and interviewing key project members to understand the motivation and drivers behind your involvement. Ideally. We would work around when best suits you and look to cause as little disruption as possible. 

 We will of course also ensure you get full access to our finished work.

 Please let me know if you would like to be involved in our project. I would be happy to come visit and walk you through what we are trying to achieve if that would help. 

Kind regards, 

Ella Dowling