A CAMPAIGN has been launched calling on people in the region to share their views and experiences of life under lockdown.

Written and created by video production agency, Three Motion Media, the campaign launches alongside the premiere of an uplifting short film titled ‘We’ve Been Away’, which summarises the strange and difficult times we are living through.

Shot across fifteen locations in the North-East, the film shows a snapshot of people and places from across the region, exploring what has changed in our towns and communities, as well as the things that have not.

The team wants to use the new film as a springboard for the public to send them their own video stories, which will be collated and developed into a unique post-lockdown piece later in the year.

Project spokesman Gavin Knights said: “I really hope that in the course of a minute, folks viewing the film feel a personal and emotive connection to it.

“It’s a story all about our region, but it’s the story of a completely shared experience around the country, however isolated we have all felt at times, in recent months.

“We wanted to create something which folks could watch and share, and hopefully feel both lifted and motivated by.”

The film has three parts; the first relates to things that have not changed, and draws its messages largely from nature, including a time-lapse sequence shot at Tynemouth Priory.

The second part is about those working heroes who have kept everything running, including a butcher and a hospice nurse on her rounds.

The third part of the film transitions from the amazing ‘NHS Clap’ which was captured in Cullercoats, to a message of hope as we come out of the lockdown period and get ready to start the fight back.

‘We’ve been away’ is narrated by Rachael Bell, a drama teacher from Heaton who is also shown in the film teaching online at home.

She said: “We’re living through such a major part of history right now and it’s crazy to think how much everyone’s life has been affected by it.

“I thought it was great how the film showed so many different areas of the North-East and demonstrates how the region has come together and overcome everything that’s happening at the moment.”

For their next film, Three Motion Media are asking people from all walks of life to pick up their phone or tablet and make their own one-minute selfie video, sharing their story about how COVID-19 and the UK lockdown has affected them and their community.

The producers of the film are asking people to answer three questions: What has been the toughest part of lockdown? What has been the best part of lockdown and What are you looking forward to coming out of lockdown?

If you would like to share your story, head here for more information: unlikenewhere.com/lockdown-stories/

‘We’ve Been Away’ is available to watch for free on Vimeo: unlikenewhere.com/weve-been-away/