Paid Mentorship Opportunity to work with artist-filmmaker Michelle Williams Gamaker on her new film Strange Evidence.
We are seeking two enthusiastic early to mid-career artists, based in Scotland, working in film or moving image to join the crew to gain firsthand experience working on set with an award winning artist-filmmaker.
This mentorship opportunity will run for 6 months, starting in April and includes a studio visit, three tailored online / in person sessions with the artist and two visits to London, including 4 days filming Strange Evidence at Matt’s Gallery in June.
This opportunity is suited to artists looking to move their practice into longer-form/narrative work and can be tailored to a particular area of your practice where you are looking to develop; e.g. working with a crew for the first time, DOP, lighting, costume, post-production. We’re interested to hear which areas you are seeking experience in and how working with Michelle will benefit your work in the future.
Strange Evidence focuses on 1930s screen star/Academy Award nominee Merle Oberon, who kept her mixed Sri Lankan/Indian and British heritage secret to protect her industry status, passing as white until her death in 1979. Merle kept her “exotic beauty” in check by controlling how she was photographed, falsifying her past and relying on make-up, lighting, dermabrasion and skin-lightening procedures.
The project sensitively approaches Oberon’s story, exploring self-censorship, racial stigma and trauma, looking with nuance at complex decisions shaped by racial prejudice/restrictive conditions of labour, which still impact screen artists today.
We are open to applications from artists of all backgrounds and experiences but particularly encourage applications from people who have faced barriers to working in the arts / film industries with whom the thematics of the project resonate.
Application deadline: 30th March
Interviews: 9th April
Strange Evidence opening in London: 11th May
Filming: June
Mentorship sessions x 3: May/July/September
Fee: £2,547 (9 days at SAU £283.00 day rate)
Strange Evidence is co-commissioned by Matt’s Gallery and Offline. This mentorship opportunity is supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
Offline 