Street markets are a living, breathing part of London's history. They are part of the fabric of the city and each market reflects the character of its neighbourhood. For hundreds of years markets have provided livelihoods for people living in London and a source of affordable (and sometimes luxury) produce and items.
Young people from four schools have made documentaries about their local street markets. They have undertaken historical research at their local archives and then, working alongside arts and education charity, digital:works, learnt filming and interview techniques. They then visited their markets to interview traders and shoppers with an emphasis on exploring the history of the markets.
The final films provide a fascinating history of four of London's street markets as told by traders and shoppers. The films also provide a vivid snapshot of the markets as they are today.
The Stall Stories project was conceived, coordinated and implemented by digital:works.
The four films were made by young people from Stockwell, Colville, Gateway and St George the Martyr primary schools with financial support from the National Lottery's Heritage Lottery Fund.
Each of the films has been shown locally, at the school, on the market and other screenings at film festivals and community and campaigning events. The films can be viewed for free on the dedicated website below.
The final films were shown together at the Renoir Cinema in central London on 16th July 2012.
digital:works developed this documentary film project with an intergenerational group of residents living on the Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate in NW London. The incredible Grade II* listed building features frequently in TV dramas and architecture journals and the intention of the film was to give residents themselves the opportunity to explore the ideas behind the design of the estate and to examine people's actual experience living on the estate. Through a series of workshops the group decided on the direction of the film and then went on to interview architect Neave Brown who designed the estate as well as the chief engineer and landscape architect. They then interviewed dozens of their neighbours to explore how the original ideas worked in practise, from the perspective of those who live there.
digital:works is an arts and educational charity that works with communities, providing training and creative assistance to produce arts and media projects.
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