New Mother’s Writing Circle | Our Creative Voice
A look at the Scottish charity that uses creative writing and discussion to help the transition into motherhood
Celebrating Scotland's Creativity
Chocolate Films were delighted to be commissioned by Our Creative Voice to produce a series of films highlighting the crucial role of creativity in Scotland. We’ve been working with organisations across Scotland who inspire the public to get involved in creative activity. This partnership aims to build awareness of the impact that the arts and creativity have on all aspects of life in Scotland, in making people healthier, the economy stronger and communities more vibrant.
Using the arts to help new mothers
Chocolate Films were thrilled to make a short film exploring the work of The New Mothers’ Writing Circle. Founded by Catrin Kemp in 2020, this unique project centres the experience of mothers and their transformation in motherhood. The group nurtures creativity in cohorts of 10 – 15 mothers from diverse ethnic and social backgrounds, drawing on a range of narratives of motherhood, from Rachel Cusk to Toni Morrison, to empower women, build community and elevate voices. The workshops offer an inclusive space to focus on the mother and her experience, exploring the idea of matrescenes – the acknowledgement that every mother goes through a sudden, and yet incremental, metamorphosis across each aspect of her life. The brief for Chocolate Films was to delve into the rich experiences of these women and highlight how creative writing and discussions can be incredibly impactful for new mothers navigating a key, transitional stage in their lives.
Giving new mothers a voice
Central to the success of The New Mothers’ Writing Circle is its commitment to drawing on diverse narratives of motherhood and exploring individual experiences. For these reasons, Chocolate Films ensured that the filmmaking process was a deeply collaborative process. From the outset, the team worked closely with Our Creative Voice and The New Mothers’ Writing Circle to understand the group’s core values and how creativity plays a role in allowing mothers to express themselves. The team decided to tell the mothers’ stories through an intimate, documentary-style approach. This involved capturing candid scenes of the mothers in the group and interacting with each other and their children. Individual interviews gave them the opportunity to share their experiences and communicate how valuable the group is to them. The result is a poignant portrayal of the complexities, joys and struggles of motherhood. Crucially, it shows the importance of creativity in these womens’ journeys.
Using Video To Celebrate Creativity
For over 20 years, Chocolate Films has worked with Arts and Heritage organisations of all sizes to demonstrate the importance of creativity. Recent work includes a collaboration with Art Happens to produce films with museums and galleries across the UK, including Modern Art Oxford and Milton Keynes Museum. Chocolate fIlms has collaborated with institutions like V&A, Tate and the Museum of London, as well as celebrated artists such as David Hockney, to highlight the value of art and creativity. Through meticulously crafted films, they showcase exhibitions, delve into the processes of artists and bring art history to life. These collaborations emphasise the transformative power of art and demonstrate the importance of creativity to all. Get in touch to hear what we can do for you and your organisation.
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