Are you from Gateshead?

Have you lived in Gateshead for most, if not all, of yourlife?

Would you be interested in talking about your accent and howyou feel about your area?

The University of York Language and Linguistics Departmentis looking for volunteers who would be willing to be interviewed and recordedfor the Accents of the North East project.

The aim of the study is to investigate the differences inaccents in the various towns and cities of the North East and also to considerhow people feel about their accent and how it differs from those around it. Theinterviews consist of reading aloud a couple of short passages and a word list,as well as a few questions regarding your opinions about your community andlanguage.

If this sounds like something you think that you would beinterested in taking part in please get in touch.

Thanks.

A short film shot entirely in Gateshead and directed by award-winning, North East based filmmaker Mark Chapman is enjoying success on the international film festival circuit.

‘Faker’ written and directed by Mark Chapman and produced by Newcastle-based Arpeggio Films has been nominated in the “Best of the Festival” category at the Cork Fastnet Short Film Festival in Ireland (whose patrons include Steve Coogan, Jeremy Irons and Oscar-winning producer David Puttnam) and “Best Fictional Short” category at the Irpen International Film Festival.

As well as the nominations, the film has so far been selected for 10 international film festivals, including in events in Russia, Germany and Greece.

‘Faker’ is a gentle, but bittersweet comedy-drama focusing on a fleeting encounter between two mismatched strangers during a bus journey on Christmas Eve.

It was funded by Northern Film and Media in partnership with Gateshead Borough Council.

The film’s Director, Mark Chapman said: “Festival nominations and screenings really do help a small project like this to create an awareness of filmmaking in the North East. It’s been a long process, and I’m happy that everyone involved in the making of ‘Faker’ can now celebrate its success.”

The film’s Co-Producer, Will Sadler of Arpeggio Films said: “It was a pleasure to be involved in this project. The filming style was unconventional and took a lot of time to prepare, involving a lot of hard work by a large number of people. It’s a great boost that so much hard work is now being internationally recognised.”

Victoria Johnson, Training and Development Manager at Northern Film & Media, the Regional Screen Agency for the North East of England, Says: “It is always great to see North East filmmaking talent gaining worldwide exposure through film festivals. Nominations for awards also offer fantastic recognition. ‘Faker’ demonstrates Mark’s talent superbly and I’m pleased that funding from Northern Film & Media, in partnership with Gateshead Council, enabled him to produce this short film.”

Ednie Wilson of Gateshead Borough Council said: “Gateshead Borough Council is delighted to have supported Mark Chapman’s production of ‘Faker’. This film forms part of a portfolio of films commissioned by the council, which enable local filmmakers to profile Gateshead as an exciting location.”

You can view an excerpt from “Faker” at the Arpeggio Films website at

www.a-films.co.uk