Focus 24 : 24 Hours in Tamworth

More than 100 images and video clips have already been submitted towards a new film and photography project which is designed to capture a snapshot of a day in the life of Tamworth.

Since launching at the end of March, more than 30 people have submitted some fantastic photographs and videos to the Focus 24: 24 Hours in Tamworth digital art project. They can all be viewed on the Tamworth Arts & Events Facebook page, where a separate Focus 24: 24 Hours in Tamworth event has been created.

The project invites amateurs and professionals to submit photographs and video footage of the people, places, objects and experiences of Tamworth, at all hours of the day.

A total of 24 photographs, taken by 24 different photographers, will then be chosen to represent 24 hours in the life of the town. As well as being displayed individually, the selected 24 photographs will also be incorporated into a film called 24 Hours in Tamworth, which will be created using the submitted video footage.

For this project, Tamworth Borough Council’s Arts & Events team is working with production company acquismedia, professional photographer Ming de Nasty and filmmaker Rachel Gillies. They will be holding a number of free workshops for anyone who would like practical tips or expert advice on how to capture their slice of life in Tamworth.

The second of these drop-in sessions takes place on the Upper Lawn of Tamworth Castle Grounds between 10am and 3pm on Saturday, April 22. This workshop coincides with the town’s annual St George’s Day Festival and will therefore provide plenty of filming and photo opportunities.

Budding snappers and filmmakers are invited to take their cameras or smartphones along to the sessions.

Katie Banks of acquismedia said: “Our first session with Community TogetherCIC at the Community Café in the Castle grounds was a fantastic opportunity to meet residents and hear stories and suggestions of what and where should be featured in a snapshot of Tamworth.

“Throughout the St George’s Day event we will be offering themed 30-minute workshops. Each will have a different technical focus and people can sign up on the day. We will also have an artist based in the Arts and Events gazebo all day for anyone who wants to pop in and talk about the project or get specific advice on their film or photography.”

In addition, professional photographers and filmmakers can visit businesses and community groups which would like to feature in the project.

Katie added: “Are you a Tamworth-based community group or business who would like to feature in Focus 24: 24 Hours in Tamworth? Are you unsure how to take a great image or film clip to show your Tamworth? Our professional photographers and filmmakers could come and work with you at your premises or meeting place free of charge. For more information, please contact Katie.banks@acquismedia.com.”

The chosen photographs and the new film will be exhibited for 24 days, starting on Saturday, September 2, when they will be put on digital display in Ankerside Shopping Centre to coincide with this year’s We Love Tamworth event.

Focus 24: 24 Hours in Tamworth is part of the Arts in Unusual Spaces project, which has been funded by Arts Council England and will see art in all its form popping up in unusual spaces across Tamworth during a two-year period.

Andrew Barratt, Tamworth Borough Council’s Corporate Director for Growth, Assets & Environment, said: “This digital art project invites people to capture the people and places that make up everyday life in Tamworth, featuring everything from the norm to the unusual. The resulting exhibition and film will act as a historical legacy of Tamworth at this exact moment in time.

“We’ve been quite amazed at the response so far with some wonderful images and interesting videos of the town’s scenery, landscapes and buildings being submitted.

It would now be nice to get some more photographs and videos featuring the people of Tamworth.

“I’d encourage any budding photographers and filmmakers to attend the next workshop during the St George’s Day festivities, where they will be able to get some top tips from the professionals.

“This is shaping up to be an exciting and memorable project and I’m looking forward to seeing what else is still to come.”

Photographic and video submissions can be uploaded to the Focus 24: 24 Hours in Tamworth event, on the Tamworth Arts & Events Facebook page. 

Entrants must provide their name, age and time the photo or video was taken. Entries must be submitted before 5pm on Friday, August 2.

For more information on Arts in Unusual Spaces, please visit the Tamworth Arts & Events website at www.tamworthartsandevents.co.uk.