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Awarded a £500 grant, support from professionals and access to top of the range equipment, eight young people aged 13-19 were given the opportunity to produce their own media project using film, photography, web or print.

The grant winners were selected after attending one of 13 free media courses last summer and autumn.

The issues raised include knife crime, peer pressure and bullying, overcoming obstacles to realise your dreams and ambitions and making the most of the university experience on a miniscule budget.

Others had more artistic concerns and passions that they wanted to showcase such as the perils of making it in the fashion industry, creating a band website and exhibiting a photographic representation of the east end.

Julia Harriman is the arts coordinator at Tower Hamlets Summer University and project manager for www! She was hugely impressed with the drive and energy of the grant winners:

"We started off with a group of young people who had good ideas but limited technical experience. Despite challenges throughout the process, they worked out everything for themselves, from budgeting to casting actors to editing their films. Given that they had to fit in a tight production schedule with school and other commitments, they can all be really proud with the results of their work. Most of them surprised themselves by achieving as much as they did."

The production team set out to gather a wider perspective on the issue by canvassing opinion in the west end as well as in their local area.

The group found that most people who carry knives say they do so for protection, but Francesca says that many of the law abiding people they spoke to believe the real problems start in the home:

"A lot of people think that parents need to keep their children under control and in a sense I do agree with that but then you can't always keep your child under control. Sometimes it's down to their mentality or the people they're surrounded with. Maybe you can stop children going out but then that might not help things as it leads to sneaking out and lying."

Chantelle, 17, took on the role of director. She used to feel a great deal of anger towards those who carry knives but now sees it as a more complex issue.

She makes the point that it's not just the general public who don't feel safe. The group found that those who admitted carrying knives do so because they don't feel safe leaving their houses or going into different areas.

Chantelle feels it's down to the individual to break the cycle:

"It's about having your own personal will which a lot of people don't have. They're so scared of what will happen but at the end of the day they don't know for certain if it will happen. So really, it's about being a strong person and trying to do something with your life. Being in a gang is like a family for certain people but if it's a family leading you the wrong way then what type of a family is it?"

Peer pressure

Sabina, 13, opted to make a short film about peer pressure and bullying. "Good girl gone bad" charts the descent of a schoolgirl from good student to tearaway teen; her mounting problems stemming from the company she keeps.

Sabina was keen to show how good people can be influenced to go off the rails:

"I wanted to make this film because in school life this is what really happens. There's loads of issues around bullying and teenage killings and you don't know what influences people to do these kind of things."

Unlike most of the other grant winners, Sabina worked on her own which meant juggling her film and schoolwork:

"I really like making films. With this course I felt really good and confident which is why I took on the grant but it has been a bit difficult for me. Sometimes I had to get myself unhappy for the film but then go and do an exam at school. I suppose that was me putting pressure on myself!" 

Looking to the future

Pushing yourself in a positive way was also the theme of films made by two other grant winners.

Liz, 18, led a film crew who made a mini soap called Dreamz. The idea was to provide an insight for young people aiming to achieve their goals in life.

Although her first loves are acting and singing, Liz is now interested in making more films after her experience on www!

In fact there are plans afoot to make a Dreamz - Part 2. It's clear this is one young person who's making the most of the opportunities that come her way to try as many different roles as possible:

"It's amazing how you can pursue your dreams but also find other skills along the way. I feel everybody has a passion so when you find that you need to try to progress and keep thinking you can do it. Something usually comes up when you're driven in the right way."

The young people behind the documentary Uni 2 Know are also clearly looking to the future.

Juliet and Henna, both 17, set their minds to making a guide to the university experience which uses personal accounts of undergraduates and gives advice on financial support, courses available and how to make the most of the social opportunities on offer.

Juliet is about to go to university herself and hopes her film will show young people of her age that university is accessible if you want to take that path:

"For me, university is about the experience that you gain. Most people will be living away from home for the first time. They're going to be socialising with different people and different cultures. I think university is much more than a means to getting a good job. The people I've interviewed say they've changed so much from how they were when they were at college. They've gained so many social skills and that will help them in the future." 

www! is funded by Mediabox and delivered by Shake Ur Arts. To apply for the next round of grants or to find out about free Tower Hamlets Summer University courses, click on the weblinks up on the right hand side of this page.