Archive: this interview describes a 2020 lockdown film project.
In 2020, 17-year-old filmmaker Aidan Rhode from Buxton had a number of projects planned before the coronavirus pandemic interrupted them.
So when Buxton Museum and Art Gallery approached Aidan to ask him if he’d like to be part of a unique lockdown art project, he jumped at the chance. “I had plans for different projects this year, during the summer, before going off to study my A Levels. Everything had to be put on hold. When the museum manager called me to ask if I’d like to create something, using my filmmaking skills, I didn’t even have to think about it. I couldn’t wait to get back to doing what I love and being creative again!”
Made in Lockdown brought together 12 local artists and community groups to create digital work in response to the pandemic, supported by Arts Council England’s Emergency Response Fund.
“We were keen on involving artists of all ages and backgrounds with different creative skills. Aidan had previously worked with some of our regular artists at the museum and I’ve seen the film work he’s already produced which was fantastic for someone so young, so we were keen to have him involved”, said Derbyshire Museums Manager, Ros Westwood.
Watch The Magic of the Water on YouTube.
Having spent more time enjoying the outdoors during lockdown, Aidan wanted his submission to feature water as well as some of his favourite local spots; the original article named the locations as Fernilee, Three Shires Head and Gadley Woods. “Filming in such peaceful and tranquil locations made me think I wanted the film to be narrated, maybe with poetry? Having collaborated with Gordon MacLellan before (who i always love working with!), I wanted to ask him if he’d do the narration. All i needed was a poem”, said Aidan.
A competition for the narration was launched on Aidan’s Youtube channel and submissions came in from across the world. “I couldn’t believe it to be honest, there were hundreds of entries”. The winning entry, a poem – written by Mark Johnson from Leek in Staffordshire, is narrated by Gordon on the video.
Aidan told Explore Buxton in 2020 that he had been interested in filmmaking for as long as he could remember and had begun making stop-motion films around the age of 11. “I’ve never imagined doing anything else really,” said Aidan. The profile reported work with BBC Salford, a short film for the British Film Institute, a production-assistant role with the company behind Frozen Planet and instructional films for the National Citizen Service (NCS). It also described his involvement with local organisations including Buxton International Festival, Buxton Carnival, REC Youth Theatre and Burbage Band.
Aidan said the 2020 museum project enabled him to invest in equipment: “I was so pleased to be offered a grant. It’s a privilege to work with our local museum again and to collaborate with Gordon – who’s always so much fun!”
To see how Aidan made the film, watch ‘The Magic of the Water – The Making of’ – here.
Thanks to Arts Council England’s Emergency Response Fund, set up in March in response to the covid-19 crisis, individuals and organisations were able to access financial support in these hugely challenging times.
You can also follow Aidan’s work and filming adventures on Instagram.
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