Accentuate

As well as free accessible group editing and storyboarding tools, uScreen provides British Sign Language, subtitles, visual captioning and audio description which can be added to the films created by the website’s participants, enabling everyone to enjoy them.

Delivered in partnership with Screen South, uScreen was launched with a programme of live workshops and screenings alongside training and professional mentoring opportunities. Because not all young deaf and disabled people were able to attend the workshops in person, a range of online sessions were also organised.

uScreen successfully enabled young people to share ideas and network nationally and internationally. They learnt by creating online at home or at school, in their youth club or at film festivals. In 2011/12 there were 8,384 unique visitors to the website and there have been a further 1900 between April and June 2012. As of August 2012 uScreen counts 1118 members from 24 countries, with 183 completed films uploaded and 499 clips currently being edited. The legacy of uScreen will continue as young people discover and join the website to make, show and share their films and ideas.  uScreen will also be further developed and supported in the second phase of Accentuate in 2013.

uScreen has also provided access to new career pathways. After taking part in one of the uScreen programmes, disabled young person Stephanie Howell commented “uScreen has helped me get across what I’ve been wanting to say and how I have felt for years…uScreen made me feel that I have a voice.”

uScreen was identified by many interviewees as one of the great successes of the Accentuate programme.  Several mentioned that it is not only of interest to deaf and disabled people – it has brought people with an interest in film together. The site was championed by actor, writer and comedian Stephen Fry following its launch in 2011and subsequently won 'The Interactive Media Award 2011' at the AMI [Ability Media International] awards. It also reached the semi-finals of the Best Arts Project at the 2011 National Lottery Awards.

• The site showcases Film, Animation, Documentary, Games, Pop Videos, Dance on Camera, Experimental, Music, Journalism, New Writing and Speech Strands.
• It will curate joint showcases of screen media uploaded to the site by young people making independent projects, promoted regionally, nationally and internationally.
• 'How to' guides are incorporated on the site, such as audio & visual examples of good practice, expert advice, links to online courses as well as mentor advice and guidance.
• Online resources include editing tools, script advice, storyboards, cleared music and archive for youth use. The tools also include a whole range of access tools so that young people can add sign language interpretation, visual captioning, audio description to their films.
• There is advice and guidance for deaf and disabled film makers on how to access appropriate kit and resource support.
• Editing suite tool provides additional support, advice and guidance from Mentors and peers.
• There is information about easy to access grants, bursary awards and competitions for live work.

• Workshops have taken place in at least 16 locations by Film and Media professionals and uScreen mentors.
• uScreen Bursaries and Project Grants will be available.
• Over the next year there will be wide range of live uScreen activities across the South East
• We are developing a register of inspirational deaf and disabled mentors from the screen and media industry, who will be available to support uScreen activity.
• uScreen is creating a network of young people, nurtured via workshops and virtual exchanges.

The uScreen site will provide a pathway for learning opportunities and will work with partners to ensure the advice and guidance is accessible, relevant and up to date

Accentuate projects have been collecting examples of how their work is having an impact.  Whether this is the personal experience of an individual, or the influence Accentuate projects have had on organisations. Click the link to view the case studies.