Why not organise your own screening of this film. Available now online it is being used to start conversations, to talk about the impact of Oil on Aberdeen. I am presently looking to fund a documentary just focusing on women’s narratives.
Limerence synopsis
Limerence is a short autobiographical film that was made at the end of an 18 month relationship. It tells the story of a man in a cult, the woman who loved him against the backdrop of life in your mid 40’s. It was made using the social media app Tiktok and filmed and edited on an i-phone.
2022
It has been such a busy year professionally. I’m really proud of all the freelance work I’ve completed.
The future is not f***ked film with Friends of Earth Scotland was unexpected. The film grew from filming a spoken word night to making a complete 20 minute film. I also feel it’s the start of a bigger film I want to make about the emotional legacy of oil.
This film was probably the smallest budget but it’s the film I’m most proud of. It’s still screening around Scotland and being used a tool to start conversations.
Greyhope Bay
I have been working with Greyhope Bay and normally supporting my students to make creative content for this local based charity. They are breathing new life into the Torry Battery and helping regenerate this space. I decided to take part in a project where local film makers were asked to document the build of this innovative new building. It will have a zero carbon footprint with no waste. The films I have chosen to make have focused on the narratives of the women behind the project. I am particularly interested in how they blew in to Aberdeen, bringing new life a fresh vision for the city. I also love the Torry Battery space, the sea, colours and my connection to the coast. I filmed from 6am on the day of the build and I did not grade or edit out of chronological sequence. It’s been fun to make and I've enjoyed sharing Fiona and Carole’s stories.
Releasing the past through film making
Since 2018 I have been working on a short documentary project. It has been a film which looks at the women in my family and our collective stories. It has been hard to work on. At times, I’ve felt judged for not having it finished. It’s been the hardest project to navigate, sit down and finish. This summer I am planning a road trip and I have a list of women that I need to listen and share with. I am really focusing my energy and it feels like I am gestating a baby, but it’s a film. I aim to have it finished by the winter solstice. The clip below is a rough visual tone of the film and narrative I am making.
Visual Poetry
I’ve been making short films that help me process me emotions. I have been sharing them on a private Instagram account. I have decided to be brave and share them here. I get so much release and joy from making films, although Art has always been how I process my emotional landscape. My recent films all deal with grief and loss after the death of my Father’s and the end of my 12 year relationship. My healing journey has been through film making, Kundalini yoga and new healing friendships. I want to post weekly films as a way of working that creative muscle.
Sara the samurai
Write 10 things you love about yourself. That was the task I was given for today. Really, must I. Well here goes 😍
I am loving and kind.
I am good fun.
I like thinking creatively.
I have a huge imagination and don’t like to be bogged down with reality.
I can forgive.
I am passionate.
I love my eyes and body. It’s served me well.
I love that I am strong and tenacious.
I love that I’m not scared of change.
I love that I am so emotional.
The new normal
Thank you to all the staff at RACH who looked after Sophia last week while she got 5 teeth extracted. We were worried about going, Covid masks and just being in the hospital space during a pandemic.
I looked at this art work while waiting for Sophia to come out of the anaesthetic. Made with all the children’s drawings and sharing their gratitude for the wonderful staff. We were in and out quickly. We felt safe and cared for. The staff are amazing.
Thank you 🙏
My new weekly blog
I am under no impression that anyone will read this. I am doing it as a health and well being exercise that encourages weekly writing and focusing on what is good about my life. A gratitude list in a sense. So often we focus on the negative. So here is my list of things I am happy for.
My family and friends are all healthy and well
Lockdown living has given me a chance to do more self care and look after my own emotional needs and well being
I don’t feel guilt about spending money, I’m supporting the local economy :)
I have a great job and I am financially secure
My children are loving, funny and great
I have a rabbit that makes me happy, that’s a real one :)
I love Scotland and enjoy swimming in the sea. I would never have done this pre pandemic life
I have amazing female freinds and a few great male ones
I have started making my film and talking with my family and have asked about filming with them
I am enjoying life
There I have done it. That’s a start
:)
Being grateful - Day 1
Lockdown learning
Week 10 of lockdown and I have got used to this way of working from home. Teaching the kids has been interesting. My eldest was angry and sad. Confused at all of the work she had put in to National 5 exams that would no longer happen. This demotivated her and she has not been keen to do much. The youngest has enjoyed the journey and misses school but has really done well adapting to on-line learning.
My own work has not changed apart from it’s virtual. I really like teaching editing and Moving image education from home as in some ways its a better platform. I’ve taught editing to women in America, Artists in Fife and next week I have a session in Edinburgh and I don’t have to leave the house.
Covid 19 has changed the way I work forever and some of it for the better 😍.
For editing training in Avid / Adobe packages and Phone editing please e mail s.stroud@nescol.ac.uk
Moving Image education for teachers 2019 - get in touch if you are interested
Si
CLPL for teachers
I have been delivering training to teachers on how to use Moving Image education in the classroom. I have delivered the training to over 100 teachers and it’s been a great challenge and opportunity for me to teach others my film making skills. I have been doing this in partnership with NESCOL and it has been funded by Screen Scotland.
Get in touch if you are interested in training
s.stroud@nescol.ac.uk
This is Aberdeen
I am very proud of this film and would like to thank everyone that sent me their Aberdeen. My exhibition at 17 gallery has been a great success and I know lots of people have enjoyed the work. This film is also being shown in Aberdeen schools as well as the 17 gallery. This is my favourite film. Thanks to Aaron, Bill, Wayne & Troy 😀
2018 Exhibition
My latest exhibition. Please come and see my work. It’s on at 17 Belmont Street until 3rd February. My work is inspired by home and Aberdeen city.
Home 2017
I am beginning to complete all of the films for my exhibition at 17 in January. It’s been crazy keeping up with all of my recent projects. I have also shown films in Bury and Blackpool as part of the Collective collaborations project. The next stage of my exhibition is to work on my audio and build the installation. I was testing my projector out last night and I gave the neighbours a little taste of what to expect. Dates of the exhibition are 10th January to 3rd February 2018.
Bury Installation on a bus stop.
Testing my films on my window for the exhibition in January.
Short films and Exhibition list
RECENT PRODUCTIONS: PRODUCED & DIRECTED
2017 SPECTRA – 12 short films created and installed for a video installation as part of the Spectra light festival.
2016 Music Hall associate artist – 6 months artists’ commission creating films to keep the Music hall in the public eye while it is closed for a refurbishment.
2014 12 Hour Shift – Short film written and directed for Police Scotland
2013 National Youth Film Festival - Production mentor for short film with children aged 8-11
2013 Star Awards – Aberdeen City Council promotional film
2012 Phone Addict - 60 second comedy sting – Belmont Picture House Aberdeen
2010 Baby Think it over – Short film and documentary for NHS Grampian
2008 3 wishes – First Light Animated film with Primary school children
2008 The Love Tube – Mesh / Channel 4 short film
2001 Channel 4 Ident – Student Broadcast commission for Channel 4
2007 Binge Drinking – Second prize for JADAT Documentary
QUALIFICATIONS
2003-2004 Master of Fine Art, Digital Imaging and Animation, London Metropolitan University
2000-2001 Postgraduate in Digital Imaging, Guildhall University, London
1993-1997 B.A. (Hons.) 2:1 Fine Art (Painting and Drawing), Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
June 2016– Jan 2017
Music Hall associate artist
A 6 months film commission where I created a series of films about the Music Hall to raise awareness of the refurbishment that is presently being done. It also involved collating local stories and the History of the Music Hall.
April 16 – Present
Scottish Film Education
Delivering CPD to teachers to promote confidence in teaching Moving Image education.
April 15 – October 16
BFI Academy Aberdeen Production Manager
Delivering and managing the BFI Academy for 16-19 years olds in film production and film analysis. I manage budgets, staff and choose Industry practitioners to deliver the 16 week course.
Sep 07 – Present
NESCOL, TV production lecturer, Aberdeen
Developing and delivering Creative Industries curriculum at HND level, Lecturing in TV Production, Camera Training and Editing.
Dec 05 - Aug 07
Video Development Officer, Station House Media Unit, Aberdeen
Developing and providing video training within Aberdeen City. Supporting and delivering training at all levels of video production, Directing and filming various DVD projects for education and third sector
Aug 01 - June 02
Freelance Film Maker, Channel 4 - Blackwatch Productions, Glasgow
'The Love Tube' short animation written and directed for broadcast, Ident design and TV branding for Channel 4, Motion Graphics for various corporate and private clients
Mar 00 - Sep 00
Outreach Arts Tutor, Whitespace, Aberdeen Council
June 99 - Mar 00
After Schools Play Worker, Drumoyne School, Sydney, Australia
Sep 97- July 98
European Voluntary Service (E.V.S.), Luxembourg
E.V.S. Arts Tutor, Lisbon, Portugal: working with children and young people
A
Collective collaborations
I am starting to make video postcards in the hope people will send me one back. I am working on a project with 8 artists and we are making an installation which will be shown in Bury, Blackpool and Aberdeen. I am trying to collate stories and images from these places to combine as part of a moving image projection. Please send me a postcard if you can. sarastroud56@gmail.com
Thanks Sara
Send me a postcard
sarastroud56@gmail.com
Estepona
I am recharging like a solar powered panel. Soaking up all the rays and storing them for later in the year when it's cold, dark and busy with work/life. The summer break will then feel very far removed and the need to retain small elements of my vacation vital. A small stone from the beach for my desk, my new purse which I will use daily and photographs like the one I have taken here; which I will look at over the year to remember the heat and vibrancy of colours even through the faded black and white image.
Two commissions in 1 week
The summer holidays are here and although I am on holiday mode I have just found out that I have been granted two commissions: An Aberdeen City cultural grant for an exhibition at 17 in January and I have been asked to take part in a Collective collaborations exhibition for Spectra 2018.
So I am on holiday but I am also beginning to plan the work flow for my exhibitions. My exhibition in January is around the theme of: Home and cultural identity. The work I do for Spectra will be in collaboration with Scottish artists Fiona Soa Paing and Hannah Ayer.
To switch off this weekend I went to see Radiohead at the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow. The projections at the gig were great, the stage at the Radiohead gig often took on the appearance of an abstract painting. Beautiful hues and lighting, I loved the images as much as the music.
Here's me winding down - I can also say the crowd were lovely and it was not like T in the Park... thank god
Enjoying an over priced JD & coke 🙂
Another year over
The Belmont showcase was last night and we celebrated by watching the best student films. The showcase is always a great night and the every year I see students making better films. This year the scripts were better and some great narratives played out beautifully on the big screen. I felt proud and sad; as this is also the time when we say goodbye and the adults that I met 2 years ago move on and continue their journey. I also feel exhausted, the strain of mentoring so many students across 2 subject areas has taken been hard work. I don't make it easier as I also continue taking on commissions for my art work and filming projects. Summer calls and the count down commences. Goodbye B class - a lovely bunch 😍
Scottish Film Education
Yesterday was the screening of 7 short films that I made with 2 Aberdeen primary schools. This was some of the youngest children I have worked with and we made the films in around 7 hours. We based it on the 48hour film challenge and I was amazed at how each group worked together and focused to make their films. We scripted, produced, filmed and edited their films in a short timescale and I tidied them up in the edit at home. We screened them yesterday and it was lovely to share the children's joy and laughter as we watched the films together. I left with lots of cuddles, chocolates and a bottle of wine. Not a bad job at all 🎥
Mrs Gardener's walk of fame
