Next up in the Making Waves initiative to explore Portsmouth’s local creative community and why they do what they do is indie-focused production company Trash Arts. Below is just a snippet of what they got up to in 2021!
Trash Arts is “a collective of creative minds” that aims to champion all forms of art. They have made short films, feature films, music videos, promotional videos, and documentaries. They also host spoken word and poetry nights and variety shows for example Trash Arts’ Open Ya Mouth which encourages performers of all levels to have a go at an open mic event.
Here Sam Mason Bell, founder of Trash Arts and ex-director of Making Waves Film Festival, gives his thoughts on the Portsmouth filmmaking scene:
How would you describe what Trash Arts does to those coming across you for the first time?
“Trash Arts is a production company focusing on independent films and indie horror, growing new talent and championing indie filmmakers.”
What is it about Portsmouth and the wider Hampshire area that you think makes it such a great place for filmmakers and creatives?
“I am born and raised in Portsmouth; it has [a] fantastic development structure [and] you can go through the poorest housing to the richest housing within a heartbeat. Sure that’s not great for the country or for the people but to have [a] richness of locations close by certainly helps. Having the seaside, the woods, Portsdown Hill so close is fantastic! Not going to lie, will always feel the city council should do more to allow free locations for film makers, maybe one day…”
Why do you think a film festival in Portsmouth is so important?
“Portsmouth has had a problem with supporting its artists, whether that’s down to lack of interest from the city council or the hideous competitive nature of Portsmouth. A film festival offers an opportunity for artists to be supported and for them to network with other artists. Also with so many emerging film festivals it can only help to entice an audience down to Portsmouth for the city to actually have an event!” Make sure to check out Making Waves’ film festival programme for 2022.
What’s going on at your company right now or in the coming months that you’d like to promote?
“Trash Arts has a few films in pre and post production. This year we are taking more of a creative focus on Portsmouth, its history and its rather crazy folklore.”
You can find more information about Trash Arts through their youtube channel and their social media pages linked here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trashartsuk/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trashartsuk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/trashartsfilm
Lovely to hear from Trash Arts. Great blog