Above is the trailer for our film One Last Spin is about harms caused by gambling. It started with an idea from Martin Paterson whose life had been devastated by gambling. The film is intended to raise awareness and discussion. It is screened in citizen community venues and for training workers.
The full half hour film is now online and free to watch or show.
A while before the film Martin and friend, Adrian Bailey, set up a community interest company, The Machine Zone. This was essentially so we would be eligible for funding opportunities. We managed to raise £16,000 but owe very special thanks to the film’s director, Ross Donald from Reverie Films who gave his time and expertise for no financial reward. Through difficulties arising from the Pandemic, he steered the production with dedication and professionalism of a high order.
We want as many as possible to see the film. You can watch it here or stream it here. We particularly encourage community organisations to arrange screenings and discussion at their venues. The film has been used for training in health and social care, housing, money services and more. We’d welcome agencies to use the film in their training.
The film began production in 2020. A brief update here describes some developments since then.
For more detailed information about work to reduce gambling harms check here.
Check out this post for some suggestions of how you could use the film.
The film includes interviews with four people harmed by gambling, and three people working to reduce harms: an academic with a long-established reputation globally for research into gambling; an MP who is actively involved with reducing gambling harms; and the first manager of Scotland Reducing Gambling Harms. The film is interwoven with drama sequences complementing the stories of those harmed by gambling.
We were fortunate to secure funding, encouragement, and support. A very special thank you to the film’s director, Ross Donald from Reverie Films. He gave his time and expertise for no financial reward. Through difficulties arising from the Pandemic, he has steered the production with dedication and professionalism of a high order. And many thanks to the many film crews who worked with Ross.
The film has been screened in community venues, at conferences, with recovery groups, in prison, and for staff and volunteer training: we hope that the film can be shown at events designed and informed by the needs and interests of each communities and organisations that best know potential audiences in particular settings.
One Last Spin 