Bang Up Or Pay Back? - Award-winning Short Film (2010)

[BannyBanjo]

So what you trying to say? Community service is harder than prison? lol. Ive done both prison and community service. I just got out of prison again in august, community service is a joke, every order i have been given i have refused to do and blagged it with depression, sick notes etc, n its not hard unless your a lazy bastrad. Prison is hard if you have got a brain. Its not hell but its certainly aint a holiday camp!!! Loss of freedom and contact with the world is hard no matter what causes it

[DanWagstaffe09]

@BannyBanjo Thanks for the interest in the film. Bang Up Or Pay Back? is a film which is attempting to show that if Community Payback was tougher then it might be a better sentence option for magistrates than very short prison sentences. This isn't a documentary or a fly on the wall piece, but a fictitious drama, created to get a message across in an artistic way. The objective was to create debate.

[DanWagstaffe09]

danwagstaffespeaksup.blogspot.­com

[lcplkev]

My name is Kevin Malcolm and I have spent most of my teens inside prison walls, Prison is a holiday camp, 3 meals, bed, tv, people to talk to, but the best thing I liked about jail was the fact that I could get a job inside, I loved it, if it wasn't for my girlfriend I would defo end up back in jail. jails here should be like jail in USA hard and scary !

[DanWagstaffe09]

@lcplkev Hi Kevin - Thanks for watching the film. I appreciate the feedback. Do you think other people who have been in and out of prison over a sustained period would agree? Thanks again. Dan

[38MickMc]

Is this supposed to show that community service is harder then jail ??, (I switched off after 6 mins as it was boring), well I've done both and I'd rather do years of comunity service then a small jail sentence - FACT...

[DanWagstaffe09]

@38MickMc Thanks for the interest in the film. Bang Up Or Pay Back? is a film which is attempting to show that if Community Payback was tougher then it might be a better sentence option for magistrates than very short prison sentences. This isn't a documentary or a fly on the wall piece, but a fictitious drama, created to get a message across in an artistic way. The objective was to create debate.

[38MickMc]

@DanWagstaffe09 Well you have succeeded in creating debate, I can see what you were trying to do, and I agree that CP is better then a short sentence, but when I did community service, we were allowed to smoke dope, and basically anything we wanted, as long as we turned up, my objection to your video is making jail look easy, which only lunatics and ppl who are institutionalised think jail is easy...

[DanWagstaffe09]

@38MickMc I understand your point of view. You don't identify with the film because your experience of both doesn't correlate with what you see on screen. However, I must stress that the film is about 'institutionalised' repeat, low level offenders. The portrayal of prison life is seen through a character who is comfortable with frequent short prison sentences. The Community Payback seen in the film is a 'theoretical' model to show how it could be different to an 'easier' option.

[DanWagstaffe09]

@38MickMc One question - If you were a magistrate and you were going to sentence someone who had served eight short prison sentences in as many years, do you 1) Hand out another short sentence? or 2) Give them a challenging Community Payback sentence?

[38MickMc]

@DanWagstaffe09 Good question Dan, in my teens and twenties I had friends who would be in jail, then come out for a couple of weeks, commit more crime and be back in before the fortnight had finished, they didn't mind Jail and liked the kudos that went with "becoming a gangster", so the answer to your question would be a Community payback sentence, BUT in my day Community Service was a laugh (I hope its changed), give released prisoners help with housing and benefits, Good luck with your next fi

[DanWagstaffe09]

@38MickMc I absolutely agree with you. I think it's vital to give offenders as much help, support and focus as possible - routine is crucial. I've never served a prison sentence myself, but I do understand the mentality of your friends who got caught up in the cycle. Thanks again for the feedback.

[DanWagstaffe09]

The film's subject matter continues to make national news over a year after its release - 24th August 2011

Criminals without a job will soon have to complete a five day week of hard graft, under new proposals for community sentences.

Prisons and probation minister Crispin Blunt has said that offenders will have to work at least 28 hours over four days with a fifth day being spent looking for full-time work.

[nightthieffilms]

I know this might seem like I'm commenting to return the favour, but I genuinely think this is a really important little film. Exactly what a short should be - brilliant.

[DanWagstaffe09]

The film is due to appear at the Th'Owd Towser Show Arts Festival in June 2011. We also received positive feedback from the film festival in Dublin. The audience loved the character and in particular the delivery of the line 'Life is one big fiiiiiiiight' by the talented up and coming actor Paul Joseph .

[babydoll734]

loved it - really interesting - well done :)

[DanWagstaffe09]

I'm proud to announce that 'Bang Up Or Pay Back?' will be screened for the first time in Ireland tomorrow evening (22/03/11) at the Sugar Club in Dublin.

[DanWagstaffe09]

The film got a mention on BBC Radio Leeds last night (Durbervilles Show) by musician Phil Cockerham who was playing a session of his latest folk songs live on air. Keep up the good work Phil !

[DanWagstaffe09]

A great piece by Dan Bean in 'The York Press' dated 28th October 2010 regarding 'Bang Up Or Pay Back?'

[DanWagstaffe09]

Bang Up Or Pay Back? is due to make its festival debut with a screening at 'The 3rd Hitter International Film Festival' on 16th October 2010.

[DanWagstaffe09]

The film won 'Highly Commended', 3rd place for 'Best Soundtrack' and 3rd place for 'People's Vote' at 'The 3rd Hitter International Film Festival'.

[papaJULESproductions]

interesting well-made film, and it was shot very well. Only it lacks conflict, and the use of sound was overused in my opinion. I kind of wish We could of seen how he got to prison in the first place.... But the editing and the fact that it was done quickly makes it more impressive.

[DanWagstaffe09]

@papaJULESproductions

Thanks for the feedback. I wanted to show conflict through the character's struggle with himself, alternative sentencing options and society as a whole.

[xchelezx]

very talented. im very impressed. throughly enjoyed watching 

[markbird1965]

Fantastic as ever Phil.....love the music

Mark n wendy Bird

[TheWMRDC]

Good film, shows the real challenge between what can be a chaotic hard life in the community and an ordered one in prison. Prison is no party. Have linked to it through our blog (google offender health), hope others will watch it from this link.

[Aftershave69dude]

Dis film iz wicked mush. Propa nutz init, but like spot on. Iz de geezer supposed to hate dis Community fink? Or am I bein propa dum? He looks well hard. I'd hate to be in prison, but dis bro iz like luvin it. Dat boxing scene woz like Raging Bull or Rocky or sum fink, propa nasty man, but propa nice film - respectz - 'DIS IS MY HOUSE' HA HA - AWESOME

[DanWagstaffe09]

@1980redkremlin

ps - we shot the film in 3 days and had the finished product edited in 9 days. I've done an interview on my personal website under latest blogs and Mike Ritchie has written a piece on his website journal at teammike.

[DanWagstaffe09]

@1980redkremlin

Thanks for the feedback. I wrote and directed the piece, but the DOP opted for a Canon 7D which was primarily for use in the tight space of a prison cell, but also offered versatility in the outdoor shots too. Best Wishes Dan

[DanWagstaffe09]

The BBC news magazine seem to have picked up on the film in an article dated 16 August 2010 by Andrew McFarlane. The headline reads 'Can Community Payback sentences replace jail?'

[qmagicam]

@DanWagstaffe09

Is there a link to the news mag, so i can check it out?

[DanWagstaffe09]

Hi, just type in google, BBC Community Payback! There's an offender in an orange bib and the opening paragraph refers to cemetery work, only three weeks after the film was put on you tube. Obviously, offenders do more than 'spruce' up graveyards !

[SuperTerry2007]

Brilliant



[KELLY100ist]

I can't work this film out - is he in prison or not? I reckon criminals should stay in prison !!!

[BillyBoy734]

This film is different to anything I've seen. It's unsettling, honest, gritty and very powerful. Should he be banged up? or made to pay his debt to society? He looks like a real con but I assume it's fiction right, either way, it's pretty good. The music is good, never heard of the actor but he's got talent. Cheers Billy

[MrDonkst]

like the film dan, background music was great.. some interesting camera angles

[fanoffilm31]

Quality film, brings home the reality. Great boxing scene.