Sucessful test screenings of Ghost Train at Beamish Museum’s Grand Cinema
On Monday 10 February, an early edit of my documentary film Ghost Train was screened twice at the Grand Cinema in the new 1950’s Town at Beamish Museum, to small audiences which included contributors to the film, to gather feedback and help shape the forthcoming final version.
It was quite emotional for me to see the people, who have so graciously and thoughtfully contributed to the film, projected large in such a perfect setting. I’m in awe of the hard work and care so many people give to their communities and feel quite inspired by their love for an area that has a proud but difficult history of deindustrialisation and neglect, and which still faces many economic challenges. My hope is that, with the help of the feedback generated on Monday, the final film will do justice to the people who have contributed and show the area's incredible beauty without glossing over its problems.
Me feeling proud outside the Grand Cinema before the first test screening (photo credit: Jude Murphy)
Ghost Train began as a project supported through the Into The Light programme’s Cultivate Commissions, which are designed to support creative practitioners to work with and alongside communities in County Durham to increase participation in cultural activity that has a positive impact on community identity and a pride of place.
The test screenings of the film marked the end of the funded “Seed” phase of the project, which was awarded to me to try out a new idea and engage members of the community in the creative process. I am currently looking into ways to fund the next stage of production and complete the film to a standard appropriate for wider cinematic release, which I hope will happen later in the year.
