Online Interview: Noel Clark (Kidulthood)
Artist:
RWD
With the Noel Clarke (Dr. Who) written rollercoaster on everyone’s must-see list - along with July’s World Cup Final; New flick Kidulthood is set to leave its mark on 2006. We caught up with writer/ actor Noel Clarke to get the low down...
RWD Mag: Hey Noel, how’s it goin’ man?
Noel Clarke: I’m good how are you?
Good good. You’ve acted and been in a few things. The BBC’s Dr Who is from where you’re best know we guess, acting alongside Billie ‘Something Deep Inside’ Piper. How did you come about writing Kidulthood?
Basically it all started with a case of sitting down in front of the computer and writing it, the reason I started was, I feel in terms of a lot of things that are happening today in society (with young people) - I didn’t think things were being told right. I wanted the film to be something that people haven’t seen before.
The fact that a certain newspaper was trying to attack it, is just a testament to… people don’t like it when situations are told the way they really are.
And the ‘content’ they are talking about?
Young people do have sex; I mean this country has one of the highest youngest pregnancy rates in Europe. Young people do take drugs. The film doesn’t highlight, promote or justify any of this – I’m not a drug taker and never have been – BUT, it’s happening. You need to bring circumstances like this to people’s attention. The bullying in the schools and the workplaces needs to be brought to people’s attention. You can bring out all the blue bands you want, kids just wear them as a fashion accessory and children get bullied anyway.
Seeing the film, we know, you tackle some strong issues, how do you want people to get your message?
We tackle bullying, teenage suicide, drug taking and other major issues, what I want is the Government to figure out ways that young people can address these issues; with workshops and more money spent on these things that youth culture go through. I’m not saying I know the answers but if we shine light on the actual situation, kids relate to the characters and then someone (in power) can see what’s going on and deal with it.
Ok, we feel that. How did you relate to your audience? Because the script seemed so on-point and in unison with what’s goin’ on…
In terms if the writing, I mostly scripted it. Even though I’m a bit older I still know what’s goin on. I still go to the same barbers in Ladbrook Grove. Certain words never change. The actors helped a great deal, so they used some updated/ ad-libbed words.
The cast is really good, especially the characters Jay [played by ADAM DEACON] and Mooney [played by FEMI OYENIRAN]. What was it like on set?
Basically the three main characters, Jay, Trife and Mooney are based on people, me and two of my friends from college. I was there for the casting and the Director [Menhaj Huda ‘Huds’] chose an excellent bunch. With the main characters everyone can relate to them. Working with all the cast was great and we had loads of joke on set.
We can imagine. You also act in the film, your character is deep, tell us why he’s such a ‘bad boy’?
My character [Sam] is based on bullies I saw around the neighbourhoods. In school they’re all big but now when you see them on road they’re all silent. They only have the power with a weapon or with their crew around them. Once I knew I was playing that part (I didn’t know at the start); I had to make sure he was intimidating enough.
So Noel, sum the film up and why should people go out and see it?
Well the reactions have been 96% positive, which is alright ya know. I didn’t write/ make the film for people to like it. I made/ was involved because it was real and if you do things for OTHER people’s approval all the time, that’s the wrong reason. Go watch the film and you’ll see how things go down.
Kidulthood was a joy to watch [full review in Issue 52 - March 2006], it’s out March 3rd and check http://www.kidulthood.co.uk/ for more info
RWD Magazine
With the Noel Clarke (Dr. Who) written rollercoaster on everyone’s must-see list - along with July’s World Cup Final; New flick Kidulthood is set to leave its mark on 2006. We caught up with writer/ actor Noel Clarke to get the low down...
RWD Mag: Hey Noel, how’s it goin’ man?
Noel Clarke: I’m good how are you?
Good good. You’ve acted and been in a few things. The BBC’s Dr Who is from where you’re best know we guess, acting alongside Billie ‘Something Deep Inside’ Piper. How did you come about writing Kidulthood?
Basically it all started with a case of sitting down in front of the computer and writing it, the reason I started was, I feel in terms of a lot of things that are happening today in society (with young people) - I didn’t think things were being told right. I wanted the film to be something that people haven’t seen before.
The fact that a certain newspaper was trying to attack it, is just a testament to… people don’t like it when situations are told the way they really are.
And the ‘content’ they are talking about?
Young people do have sex; I mean this country has one of the highest youngest pregnancy rates in Europe. Young people do take drugs. The film doesn’t highlight, promote or justify any of this – I’m not a drug taker and never have been – BUT, it’s happening. You need to bring circumstances like this to people’s attention. The bullying in the schools and the workplaces needs to be brought to people’s attention. You can bring out all the blue bands you want, kids just wear them as a fashion accessory and children get bullied anyway.
Seeing the film, we know, you tackle some strong issues, how do you want people to get your message?
We tackle bullying, teenage suicide, drug taking and other major issues, what I want is the Government to figure out ways that young people can address these issues; with workshops and more money spent on these things that youth culture go through. I’m not saying I know the answers but if we shine light on the actual situation, kids relate to the characters and then someone (in power) can see what’s going on and deal with it.
Ok, we feel that. How did you relate to your audience? Because the script seemed so on-point and in unison with what’s goin’ on…
In terms if the writing, I mostly scripted it. Even though I’m a bit older I still know what’s goin on. I still go to the same barbers in Ladbrook Grove. Certain words never change. The actors helped a great deal, so they used some updated/ ad-libbed words.
The cast is really good, especially the characters Jay [played by ADAM DEACON] and Mooney [played by FEMI OYENIRAN]. What was it like on set?
Basically the three main characters, Jay, Trife and Mooney are based on people, me and two of my friends from college. I was there for the casting and the Director [Menhaj Huda ‘Huds’] chose an excellent bunch. With the main characters everyone can relate to them. Working with all the cast was great and we had loads of joke on set.
We can imagine. You also act in the film, your character is deep, tell us why he’s such a ‘bad boy’?
My character [Sam] is based on bullies I saw around the neighbourhoods. In school they’re all big but now when you see them on road they’re all silent. They only have the power with a weapon or with their crew around them. Once I knew I was playing that part (I didn’t know at the start); I had to make sure he was intimidating enough.
So Noel, sum the film up and why should people go out and see it?
Well the reactions have been 96% positive, which is alright ya know. I didn’t write/ make the film for people to like it. I made/ was involved because it was real and if you do things for OTHER people’s approval all the time, that’s the wrong reason. Go watch the film and you’ll see how things go down.
Kidulthood was a joy to watch [full review in Issue 52 - March 2006], it’s out March 3rd and check http://www.kidulthood.co.uk/ for more info
RWD Magazine
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