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In October 2005, ‘About a Boy’ star Nick Hoult helped the NSPCC launch a cutting edge film competition for teenagers. He appeared on hit show T4 and was interviewed by June Sarpong and Steve Jones to talk about the competition and get young people involved.
The results of the competition were broadcast in October 2006 on primetime Channel 4, bringing to a close one of the most innovative competitions aimed at young people. Channel 4’s IDEASFACTORY joined forces with the NSPCC to launch RAW CUTS. RAW CUTS took stories submitted by 13 to 18-year-olds on the theme of vulnerability and developed them into scripts to make films.
Sixteen year old Nicholas Hoult, who most recently starred in ‘Wah Wah’, a film based on the actor Richard E Grant’s life growing up in Swaziland, says:
“’Wah Wah’ showed me what vulnerability means as I play Richard - a child dealing with his alcoholic father. My character Marcus in ‘About a Boy’ also had a lot of insecurities and often felt alone, upset, confused, angry or sad.
Through the NSPCC and Channel 4 Raw Cuts competition teenagers can communicate their thoughts and feelings direct to screen. I think enabling us to explore the concept of vulnerability in film is a great idea”
The project aimed to present a true reflection of teenage voices across the UK, giving young people an opportunity to express themselves and share their stories. The final four aspiring teenage filmmakers got the opportunity to see first hand how the filmmaking process works - from concept to completion - and worked with talented industry professionals along the way.
The four stories were shown on Channel 4 between 16 and 19 October 2006 after the films were premiered at the Electric Cinema in West London. Nick Hoult and his family attended the premiere.
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