Press Article one of our very first :-D

Five Years for Eye With A View works!


Written by Andrea Simmons

In Hackney, dreams are fleeting, often lost altogether as the realities of economics set in. The borough has always been known as the hub of the working class and with a global financial crisis prevailing, jobs are even harder to secure. For young people, self-esteem is nearly obsolete; poverty, as pervasive as an untreatable virus, often brings worthy futures to a halt.

Lola Atkins knows all to well how the potential of a child can be smothered by crime, joblessness, drugs and poor education. She grew up in Hackney; unlike many, her parents encouraged her to further her education, secure a job and fight for a brighter world. Her dream was complex. Although she has a degree in microbiology and immunology and worked as a microbiologist, her inner drive was steered from another angle. As long as she could remember, her real longing was to write, to create, more specifically to be involved with youth. Her keen interest and talent in motion image production paired with young people seeking a brighter path was a perfect fit.
Soulful beginnings taught her hard work is your only way up. To leave a steady job and follow ones heart seemed ludicrous in these uncertain times. But that is exactly what Lola did. In 2004, young and determined, she set up a spot behind a travel agency in Stoke Newington where she embarked on a remarkable journey. Leaving flyers in youth clubs and approaching HCVS (Hackney Community Voluntary Services) for a grant, her first program in filmmaking was underway.

With twelve teens she produced in eight weeks three short films. The work was then screened in East London´s Rio Cinema.
Former student, Noorganah Robertson recalls “ my particular experience was that it was one of the best film/media courses I have taken”. She added that Lola was very supportive to everyone and catered the course to each students desires, specifications and needs. Eye With A View Works ( EWAV-Works) opened a door for Ms. Robertson, who went on to earn a film production degree from The Arts University College at Bournemouth.
The neighborhood was wary however as the hype drew in lots of young people who walked a line with some of the communitys neighbors. Feeling the heat, Lola sought other surroundings. She moved her base to Dalston where a course in animation began to stimulate more interest in her projects. Along with friend Paul Sullivan she produced HUSH an engaging exploration of a young, partially sighted girls triumph over grief and abuse which received an International Black Filmmakers award in 2000. Again in Cannes 2006, HUSH took the center stage screening well among a very competitive Indie market and showed profitable sales.
Producing three or four 8-week projects a year has proved costly on Lola’s personal wallet as well. HCVS, who provides hundreds of local voluntary and community sector organizations with the key skills, knowledge and resources to respond to the needs of local people, has been a continual contributor. Private support from donors such as the Family Mosaic have kept the flame burning. Yet it´s a classic case of demand versus supply.

Recently Lola has begun to work with young offenders in a Bristol prison. No grants from the government, only hope and a shoestring budget keep her going. Lolas drive is spiritually based; she believes in her art form and she believes in her community. By giving young inmates the tools to express their life story through individual projects such as autobiographical documentaries she enables them to, sometimes for the first time, have some insight into themselves, who they are and how they can find their way back to becoming a productive member of the community. This pilot program geared mainly for boys ages 16 – 18 is being held at Ashfield prison. Lola aspires to continue, despite some financial setbacks and is hopeful the governing bodies in the community will see her efforts worthwhile and consider funding and continuing her dream.

Eye With A View works has earned the honor of presenting diplomas from OCR Examination Body, ( Oxford, Cambridge and RSA) in Animation and Motion Images Production.

Eye With A View Works is now celebrating five years of success. With Lola Atkins strength and determination, the next five will surely be even better.

For more information On Eye With A View Works or to inquire about how you can support this remarkable program, visit their website at: www.ewavworks.com
Or telephone +44 788 303 1115.

First one!!!

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East By South East Comedy Search 2009!!

EWAV Works have teamed up with Hackney Empire Ltd to promote the East by South East Comedy Search are you between ages 16 - 25 years or know any young persons between this age group. The East by South East Comedy Search is looking for up-coming talented Writers, Comedians, Artists, Filmmakers or young people between this age group who would like an oppportunity to showcase their abilities to the world.

Check information below and log onto http://www.eastbysoutheast.co.uk/submissions/ to enter!!! Deadline 15th June.


Are you entertaining, creative and funny? Are you 16 to 25? Got a funny idea to share? We want to hear from you!

East By South East, the new five borough comedy festival brought to you by Hackney Empire, is searching for new talent. Anything from stand up, sketches, dance, circus, photos, graffiti art, film, short stories or poetry - anything funny and entertaining you can think of. To enter, you must live, work or study in one of the Five Host Boroughs for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Greenwich, Newham, Tower Hamlets or Waltham Forest.
You could be in with the chance to be part of a masterclass with top artists and industry professionals, perform live at Hackney Empire, get published in a book, exhibited in a gallery or shown on a big screen as part of Play the Empire.
Live Performance:-
Stand-up, sketch, music, dance or even circus - if it's entertaining, we want to see it. Register by Monday June 15 and we'll contact you with an audition date and time. Auditions will be held between June 30 and July 5 in each of the five boroughs and you could perform live in the Play the Empire variety show, Hackney Empire, Wednesday July 15, 2009. Masterclasses will be held with former Hackney Empire directors and founders of New Act of the Year, Roland and Claire Muldoon.
Creative Writing
Dubplate Drama is looking for anything from short stories or scenes, a poem, or a few jokes - make it funny and five pages max. Register and send in your work by post or online and you could be published in the Play The Empire book, Wednesday July 15, 2009.
Visual Art
Funny photos, cartoons or even graffiti art! Show us your sense of humour or your unique take on life in the five boroughs. Register and send in your work by post or online and you could be part of the Play the Empire xxhibition, opening at the Hackney Empire on Wednesday July 15, 2009. Masterclasses will be held by Millie Law and the Hackney Arts Club.
Film
Send in your short film, animation or mobile upload and you could be part of a masterclass with the producers of Dubplate Drama. Maximum length three minutes. Register by post or online and either send in your DVD, upload your video to the website or include a link to your film. You could then be screened around the five boroughs in July 2009.

The East by South East Comedy Festival is produced by Hackney Empire Limited and runs throughout June and July. It showcases artists and comedians that have connections with the Five Host Boroughs for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and this year features Stephen K Amos, Jo Brand, Stewart Lee, Simon Amstell and Kat B. For more information on the festival and the Talent Search visit http://www.eastbysoutheast.co.uk/.

When we were Children!!

Our new initiative 'When we were Children' starts June 2009 in Ashfield. We are excited about the new opportunities that's coming our way and looking forward to launching in Ashfield.

No doubt this is the start of new beginnings, and so much better to start on our 5th year anniversary.

5 years anniversary

EWAV Works is celebrating their 5th year anniversary during August 2009 and you are invited to the events across London.

More details are to follow on the events that we will be holding up until the launch.

Watch this space!!!!

EWAV Works new documentary

EWAV Works as begun production on our groundbreaking documentary "When we were children" .

Going Nationwide!!!

EWAV Works successful running over the last 5 yrs has now led us to launch in new locations in England.

We are proud to launch new projects running in Bristol and Suffolk!!

Our aim is to continue to strive to be the best and leaders in providing outstanding opportunities for young people.

Watch this space!!!!!