Filmmaker Statement

I donated my time to the Media Trust, a charity organisation that partners with creative professionals to give charities a stronger voice to make their first films on a budget of £1500.I was tasked with the brief of creating a film for Action for Stammering Children that spoke to young children and their parents about stammer awareness. Having a stammer, I rarely saw an actor on screen with one in a positive light, it was always used as a sign of mistrust, nervousness, or comedic effect, and I wanted to change that. I also felt it important to cast an actor who had one. Thankfully the charity was already in touch with Elliot, who was keen to act for the first time and brought innocence and warmth to the role. Visualising the stammer as an annoying imaginary friend felt original, unique, and fun for the target audience. I wanted people to like him but also understand how frustrating it can be to have one, and Ed MacArthur brilliantly played the role with charm and humour.