Dirty Faces presents: Keepin’ It Real Filmmaking Workshop
Head to the Dirty Faces Cinema at Tony’s Empress Ballroom and take part in a filmmaking workshop with Idle Work Factory’s Jordon Scott Kennedy, Casey Shaw and Charles Humphreys.
The team will discuss their journeys into film as working-class creatives and their continued ethos of providing opportunities for first-time filmmakers and actors. The session will allow participants to begin developing their own ideas and signpost participants to further opportunities in the North.
Workshop Information:
This workshop takes place at Tony’s Empress Ballroom, Town Hall Street, Blackburn BB2 1AG.
A limited number of tickets will be available on the day, but please sign up in advance to guarantee entry.
Please note this venue is accessed via a staircase and therefore is unfortunately not accessible to people who use a wheelchair.
Please arrive at the venue 5 minutes before the workshop. Unfortunately your place may be allocated to a participant on the waiting list in the event of late arrival.
Jordon Scott Kennedy is a working-class filmmaker from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. In 2023, his microbudget debut feature ‘Suicide Kelly’ won Best Picture at a BAFTA accredited film festival, and first-time actor; Freddy Smith, was long-listed for Breakthrough Performer at the BIFA awards, despite being only 12 years-old at the time of filming.
Jordon’s Channel 4 short ‘Youthless’, was recently optioned by Rollem Productions as a six-part returning series and gained recognition from legendary screenwriter, Jimmy McGovern. He also recently engaged with youth centres across Bradford on his first play, ‘Blood’s Thicker’. Jordon has now been commissioned to write and direct a sequel, as well as a film adaptation.
Jordon is currently preparing to shoot his BFI film ‘Dynamite Dealer’ and his short film ‘Rocket Fuel’ was also recently selected by Bradford City of Culture’s ‘Forge Development Lab’.
Jordon is passionate about breaking barriers for marginalised filmmakers through his work at The Unit Bradford. He also teaches at MetFilm Leeds.
Casey Shaw is an experienced Film Lecturer and Creative Producer. As co-owner of the independent production company, Idle Work Factory – her work aims to serve authentic, northern stories for international audiences.
Casey has a wide range of experience in developing and producing short and feature films and has been motivated by a long-standing dedication to elevating emerging talent and bringing unique stories to screen. Following a mentorship with Head of Channel 4 Drama, Caroline Hollick (It’s a Sin, Help), she was recognised as part of Screen Yorkshire’s NEXT LEVEL senior talent programme and the BFI x Film Hub North’s Creative Producers Lab cohort, led by producers Roxy McKenna and Radha Bhandari (Public Dreams Ltd).
In 2022, she produced a slate of three short films with Channel 4 including Jordon Scott Kennedy’s ‘Youthless’ (2023), which has now been optioned for a TV series with Rollem Productions and Charles Humphreys animated ‘Blood from a Stone’ (2023) which premiered at BFI Southbank as official selection in the Netflix backed BFI Future Film Festival 2024, it was later awarded winner of the Judges Select Panel at Lift-Off Film Festival 2024.
Casey recently led production on BFI Network director Jo Lane’s ‘Gobstopper’ (2024) (MANIFF ’24) and Associate Produced on Jack King’s BFI backed ‘Predators’ (2023), which premiered at BFI London International Film Festival ’23 and was recently nominated for the Critics Circle Award in 2024.
Casey has produced music videos and creative content for artists and organisations. Recently collaborating with Dan Hartley (The Boy Who Lived, Lad: A Yorkshire Story), Michael Winterbottom (The Trip, 24hr Party People, Greed) on the development of feature films. In October 2023, she worked with Sixteen Films, Cosmic Cat and StudioCanal as Community Engagement Coordinator producing factual content surrounding the release of Ken Loach’s ‘The Old Oak’ (2023)
Casey is Programme Leader for Undergraduate Film at the international MetFilm School.
Charles Humphreys is a working-class animator, writer & actor from Bradford, West-Yorkshire who explores character & form through his D.I.Y. artwork processes. As part of the indie collective, Idle Work Factory – Charles places Northern narratives at the forefront of his work for a fresh take on traditional animation.
Charles’s debut animation ‘Blood From A Stone.’ Produced by Jordon Scott Kennedy and Casey Shaw. Has been screened at the Netflix Sponsored BFI Future Film Festival and most recently won Best Animation at the renowned Manchester Lift-Off Film Festival.
Within Charles’s acting career, he has performed in such things as ITV’s Emmerdale, BBC’s Doctors, and Channel 4’s ‘Keep Off The Grass’ as well as many feature films and short films. Most recently Charles has just been cast in an up-and-coming TV programme with a well-known production Company.
Charles also works at The Unit, Bradford, a free open access space supported by Channel 4, Screen Yorkshire & Bradford Council as the Events Co-Ordinator.
