Insight into Independent Filmmaking, Q&A with Jon Rosling

A screening and Q&A event featuring independent filmmaker Jon Rosling was organised at the Media Building on 24th February 2015. Jon is a Keele alumnus (Politics and Philosophy 1995)  who started with a career in education but then followed an alternative path as a freelance writer and filmmaker. Jon directed a number short films, music videos and promotional documentaries before establishing his own production company Eye Films Limited in 2013. Jon was at Keele to present his first feature length film project, Five Pillars (http://jrosling1973.wix.com/fivepillarsmovie), which was completed in 2013 and independently produced. Five Pillars examines the disenfranchisement experienced by a group of young people in contemporary England, in a period of economic insecurity and rapid socio-cultural changes.

Dr Pawas Bisht (left) in discussion with Jon Rosling

Jon Rosling with filmmaking society students James and Ioannis

Jon Rosling in discussion with Pawas Bisht

The film screening was followed by a discussion facilitated by me where Jon reflected on his experiences as an independent filmmaker dwelling in particular on the difficulties of balancing the sometime competing demands of creative independence and commercial viability in the design, production and distribution of independent films. The session was attended by students from Keele’s Media and Film Studies programmes who quizzed Jon on a range of other issues including the challenges of making the transition from the short film form to feature length films and his future projects, which include How to Fly a Kite a feature length project currently in development. The event was filmed by members of the recently established Keele Students’ Filmmaking Society (https://keelesu.com/activities/society/12208/); James Mason, Ioannis Georgiades and Josh Jayraj (MCC and Film Studies students  and members of the society) also filmed an additional interview with Jon which will be featured on the DVD release of Five Pillars. The organisation and hospitality for the event were generously supported by Keele Alumni office; in particular, we would like to thank John Easom for supporting the event.

Five Pillars: Insight into the independent film industry by a Keele Alumni

This is a call for all students who are interested in the film industry, to come along to a screening on Wednesday 24th February from 1pm in the screening room! We’re putting on a screening of Five Pillars, a film by ex-Keele student Jon Rosling, who is looking forward to sharing and discussing work with everyone! Not only will this be a great opportunity to meet and discuss an ex-student who has gone on to have a career in independent film making, but Jon has kindly asked Keele’s film society to film the Q & A for inclusion on a DVD about Jon’s work.

We’ve therefore got a request: A good Q & A needs a good audience, so could everyone please come along and tell their friends! It’s a good chance to gain insight into the film making process, and supporting an ex-student’s work… as well as supporting film making soc. in creating the right lively atmosphere!

We’d really appreciate it if as many people as possible could come along, so do drop by on the day and tell your friends.

For more information on Five Pillars, please see here.

Warning: There are some very violent scenes in the film, and the subject matter is quite sensitive, so be prepared!

So, to reiterate, the screening and Q & A are from 1pm on Wednesday 24th February, in the Media Building Screening Room! We look forward to seeing people there!