Zobie project creates real sense of community

Jun 23 2012 by Lynn Jolly, Paisley Daily Express

THERE has been some spooky stuff happening in a Paisley housing scheme in recent weeks ... but it’s all in the name of art.

People of all ages in Ferguslie Park have come together to work on a fun film project which has seen zombies roaming the streets.

It seems the living dead have set their sights on taking over Ferguslie Park Library, which is based at the Tannahill Centre.

Can the kids of Ferguslie Park come to the rescue?

The premiere of the film – dubbed Terror At The Tanny – will take place on Tuesday and, ahead of the screening, Paisley Daily Express reporter LYNN JOLLY caught up with members of the cast and crew.

FUN-LOVING Fiona Auld would be the first to admit that her make-up looks ghastly ... but it’s supposed to!

She’s a member of the cast of Terror At The Tanny – a fun new film which has been made by the people of Ferguslie Park.

It tells the tale of zombies who are leaving the local residents rather spooked ... but there’s plenty of fun to be had along the way.

Fiona, who is a youth services worker with Renfrewshire Council, is just one of a number of people of all ages who have been involved in the zombies project, which set out to bring various sections of the community closer together.

Some of the funding for the initiative came from cash seized from the ill-gotten gains of criminals and everyone involved is looking forward to seeing the finished result when the premiere is screened next week.

Claire O’Hara, an outreach and events officer with Renfrewshire Council, is one of the driving forces behind the project, which has also involved professional make-up artists, writers, dancers and a camera crew.

Amazing

She recruited Ian Williams and his team from gardening group the Environmental Training Team to play zombies in the movie.

Claire told the Paisley Daily Express: “Ian and the guys have been amazing and some of the local parents were roped in to play zombies and take part in some make-up workshops.

“We are trying to create a positive image of the area and engage with young people, who seem to be really enjoying it all. The feedback has been great.”

Ferguslie Park man Gordon Larkin, who works in the council’s arts and museums department, and Richard Weeks, who is a new media artist with the local authority, helped Claire to come up with the zombie concept.

Well-known community activist Ian said his gardening Buddies were delighted to take part.

He added: “Gordon told me he needed eight zombies, so I found some people for those roles, but I’m a good guy!

“I play a hero named Hamish The Jannie. It has been brilliant to be involved with the project.”

A total of 30 children, including many from Glencoats Primary School, have been taking part in the film, alongside 20 adults.

There was no film script, with the scenes being played out in workshops and improvised.

Aaron Chivers, 14, along with his 13-year-old brother Hayden and their friend Chris Kennedy, 16, are among the young actors who have been taking part.

Chris said: “It has been good fun. My character is named Chris and he walks into the library to see James but it turns out he’s a zombie. I then follow him and other people to St Mirren Park, where we come up with ideas about how to get rid of the zombies.”

Aaron, who plays a heroic character, added: “Me and Hayden are in charge of a group of survivors and we lead them to safety and fight the zombies.”

Margaret McGee, from the West End of Paisley, and Leanne Elliot, of Oakshaw, are among the kids’ relatives who have been involved.

Leanne told the Express: “We came to drop the kids off one night and, before we knew it, we were in with one of the groups.

“We play zombies in the film and my 11-year-old son Jordan Carnochan is one of the heroes.”

Margaret said watching her grandchildren Sarah Galloway, 11, and Stephen , eight, take part in the film has been the best bit about her involvement.

Shy

“Sarah is really shy but this has brought her out of her shell,” she added.

Professional make-up artists Lea Ross and Michelle Gormley, both from Paisley, have worked hard to create the bloodied bodies, pustules and pale faces of the zombie gang.

And senior library supervisor James McGrath has been working with a group of children, scriptwriter Gavin Sinclair and illustrator Mandy Sinclair to create a graphic novel to accompany the film.

He said: “We’ve been working with a group of seven young people on a Tuesday night and everyone has really enjoyed getting involved.”

The zombies project received £15,000 worth of support from the CashBack for Communities fund through Creative Scotland’s Creative Identities Programme, while Renfrewshire Council contributed around £4,000 towards the costs.

There was also additional help and support provided by St Mirren Football Club, Allsorts, Right2dance and the Tannahill Centre.

The grand premiere of Terror At The Tanny will take place at the Showcase Cinema, in Linwood Road, Paisley, at 7pm, on Tuesday.