JANE Jackson, Artistic Director at The Rural Media Company, has been wrapped in film for most of her working life.

Since moving to Herefordshire in 1991, her expertise in writing, producing and developing ideas for the company has played a vital part in its success.

She took up film making in 1973, working first as a secretary at the BBC before moving through Community Cable TV, into British Independent Cinema production.

Four years later she became the first woman camera assistant at the BBC and joined a 47 strong crew at the Ealing Studios BBC Film Centre, working along side Ivan Strasburg, noted for his cinematography in Oscar-winning films, 'The Mission' and The Killing Fields".

Pedigree

She wrote and directed her first drama, 'Angel in the House', a prize winner at the 1978 Chicago film festival and as one of a group of 'angry young woman filmmakers', she founded 51% Productions, directing social documentaries for Channel Four.

Her 30 year pedigree lists 'Survival', about ordinary people trained by ex-SAS instructors, 'Present Imperfect', portraying the life of a British Muslim family in contemporary Britain, 'A Profile of British Artist Dame Laura Knight', and 'Shock, Horror, Probe', a major documentary on the politics of transexuality. However, controversy came with her most recognised - but little seen - film, 'The Common Cause'.

Commissioned by Central TV for the ITV network, it covered the 200-mile, women's peace march from Chester to Greenham Common, but was considered 'too dangerous', and ITV refused to screen it nationally. It was eventually shown on Central TV, followed by half an hour of Defence Minister, Michael Hestletine, decrying protests against the US air base.

In a recent showing at Worcester Jane Jackson explained: "I was working freelance when I pitched the idea.

The media had portrayed the women as dreadful wives and mothers, which was wrong. I wanted to show that they were simply peace activists, but it was thought to be too dangerous to show peace protesters in a sympathetic light." No change there then?

Jackson added: "The film is just as relevant today when you consider the events leading up war in Iraq. It's good to remember there are ways of effective protesting and good to remember, 21 years later, the women of Greenham Common."

'On Hold'

Putting her career on hold to bring up her young son Sam, the family moved to Fownhope.

Rural Media Director Nic Millington encouraged her to use her experience helping with workshops for young people and in time she found herself running the production side. Last year she became Artistic Director for the company.

She confirmed, "I'm glad to be out of TV, it is no longer possible to make serious and truthful documentaries, now it's reality television with voice overs telling people what to say and think."

For Jackson, working with Rural Media was a committed career choice, and because of its commitment to advocacy and social policy for young people in rural communities, it is a good working partnership.

"Nic has built up a solid team and I'm there because I once made important social documentaries for TV and it is no longer possible to do that.

"I am pleased to have brought my skills and experience to Herefordshire," she added.

Interview by Jen Green