The Film: Common Good Proposal

Help:

To produce video material highlighting the “Common Good” of Scotland

Half hour documentary – and some shorter videos on Common Good themes

In some places, the common good is “The air we breath” – “The sky above us” and such like, it is that to – But in Scotland it is very unique. Because, our Common Good is actually protected by laws and consists of lots of valuable assets, such as land, property, art, jewels and the like—and all the places we get into free, that is part of our common good to. So we (the public) own these valuables in perpetuity so our kids and their kids can get the benefit of them to. The Common Good is constantly under threat of privatisation – and the funds are not being used for what they should be. The CGAP project is about creating awareness about what the common Good means, what is happening to it and how it could be used for the benefit of our communities.

Who is your audience?

The audience for the film would be the general public – but the Common Good has such far reaching consequences and possibilities, such as how young people could use these assets to learn responsibility by using real things in their community and engaging in projects that would offer independence and the use of the critical thought that goes with it. Local people should have more choice about what they need in there communities. The profits of the Common Good should be used to help supply and facilitate these needs.

Why I’m interested in this project

If we lose the Common Good we lose a uniqueness that can’t be replaced.

Our Common Good is under threat all over Scotland – as administrators of our assets look to solve their short term problems by using our long term wealth. If our Common Good disappears, it can’t ever be replaced by using money. We lose the Common Good and we also lose the story, the history, the institutions and the idea of the civil society that created it.

Approach to ideas

The project is set up so everyone can get involved (as we are all joint owners this is the only approach) But this offers up a diversity of ideas, formats and avenues of exploration and inclusion. (just like the real world) But we need to keep in mind our goals and work “in” a common good. This project is a pretty much a learning environment – workshops can be attended or created by participants. Everything people produce can be used for something.

Production plans and timeline

Film could be made up of individual scenarios, that are instant and usable or a general structure could be created and a bigger picture perhaps a half hour documentary. It is entirely up to people or teams of people and their time commitments. A workshop will be arranged to discuss these ideas

Base for project

The Electron Club at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) is available for workshops, computer work and tech stuff – and is also the base for the project.

Distribution plans

Distribution of videos will be through local networks, workshops, screenings, film festivals and DVD handouts.

Funding

There is a small amount of funding for workshops for this project. More funding will be applied for as time permits.

Contact: Bob Hamilton. bob@inthecommongood.org

Electron Club CCA 350 Sauchiehall Street Glasgow G2 3JD