Malicious Film Premiere

Paul Griffiths High Sheriff with College Principal Stephen Carlisle

The premiere screening of a local short film that highlights the dangers of hoax calling the emergency services has been showcased by The School of Arts, Design & Media.

The film ‘Malicious’ follows a central character - Jake - as he engages in his favourite pastime - making hoax telephone calls to the emergency services.

PC Kelly Jones & Laura Saidler
Youth Engagement Coordinator

The basic premise was to develop learning materials which could be taken out into local schools to highlight the dangers of involvement of making hoax telephone calls to the emergency services. Len Howarth, a local magistrate for seventeen years, was instrumental in the success of the project.

Given Len's senior position on the local bench, he secured co-operation from the Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), The Prison Service and the courts.
Foundation degree TV Production lecturer, Andrew Percival, said: “Students have been given a fantastic opportunity to make a real film which will exist in the real world. This is a project which is academically rich and theoretically robust, as well as having a currency with the general audience.

"It provides additional opportunities for cross-college collaboration: main characters and extras have been played by some of our students from Performing Arts and there is hearty involvement in the court and crowd scenes from our Law students”.

Paul Proctor, the Assistant Dean for The School of Arts, Design & Media said, in terms of making a positive contribution to the local community, what better example could there be than this collaboration between degree students at the College and the emergency services.

GMFRS’ Borough Manager for Stockport, Billy Myers, said: “The making of “Malicious” is a fine example of partnership working between many organisations including the emergency services, in a bid to tackle important issues and improve quality of life.

Everyone who has been involved in the 12 month project should feel proud that they will make a positive impact on the community by lowering the amount of hoax calls made to the emergency services each year.”

Chief Superintendent Chris Sykes, Stockport Divisional Commander, said: “Projects like this are a great way of making youngsters more aware of the consequences of actions such as hoax calling. It’s also an opportunity for them to understand the role of police and the problems they face on a daily basis while trying to carry out their tasks.

“We want this DVD to show youngsters the consequences of crime and the effect that it has on the community, the victims and those living with it.”