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Top Girl ™/ Text / Diana Nortey / Photography / From the film Top Girl 13th August 2008 ‘When I started talking to young women today, I was really struck by how certain things about the way the things are for girls haven’t changed.’ So says Rebecca Johnson, director of new short film Topgirl. Through making the film, the BBC-trained director was keen to open up a dialogue about what young females have to go through during adolescence. ‘I particularly like stories based around strong female roles. The main character in this film, Donna, portrays that. Donna harbours strong characteristics: she knows what she wants. She’s fearless and she likes things her way; but underneath lays a vulnerable girl who is struggling to know who she is, and finds out through this production.’ So what does it mean to be Topgirl? ‘As you’re growing up, appealing to the other sex is important, but having status in your own gender group is also important,’ Johnson explains. The film wholeheartedly explores what girls face when they grow up and focuses on the things that aren’t really talked about. For Johnson these are important issues that should be talked about without any shame. ‘Growing up and finding out new things is a call for drama.’ However, this was no ordinary film production. As an aspiring film maker myself, I had the opportunity to be a trainee on the film, allowing me to see what it was like to work on a film set - from setting up props, to the catering, to assisting the actors and actresses. Working behind the scenes was a whole different experience, it’s all about the nitty gritty and long hours. In the short time that I worked on set, we all became a family and by the end and none of us wanted it to be over. Taking part in this production opened my eyes to how powerfully Topgirl portrays a girl’s transition into adolescence. The film doesn’t shy away from tackling serious issues that many young females face, relating to sex, and the experiences that come with it. Johnson wanted to make this film powerful in more ways than one, not just reflecting life experience but showing how it is possible to persevere as a young person. Topgirl is also a wonderfully visual representation of the story. Donna, the main character is always seen in bright colours to express her personality. Hot pinks and purples are her signature colours and, when she’s not seen in them, there’s something horribly wrong. Johnson’s intention was to make this film fresh and directed at the young people. The final film sends out a positive message, and even though the main focus is about girls, boys can also benefit from watching it. Rebecca Johnson's effort with this film has entitled her to join a mentoring scheme called Guiding Lights, where she will be working alongside the acclaimed director of The Bourne Series Paul Greengrass.		Issue Two Aug 2008 Reggie Yates Interview Road To 2012 : Olympics Special Road To Carnival Fashion Freedom At A Price Red Hot Interview Nash Money Sneakers Micachu Interview Natty Interview Life In The Marine Corps Parents Meet The Teenagers Young Londoners Meet The Cast Of Adulthood Cyko Logic Interview Fred Butler : Prop Stylist Interview Immortal Technique Review Made In Queens Victor Timofeev : Artist Interview Ricky Powell Interview Twizzle Interview Flywear Feature Top Girl Film Feature Queen Of Nations Not Without My Sister Sky's The Limit Career's Advice Issue One March 2008 Bashy Interview The Cool Kids Lady Lykes Grimes New School Rowdy Superstar Interview The Sound Of Reason Slash Interview Hoxton Vs Hampstead Fashion Young Designers Lucinda Chua Interview Will Kay Interview The Brothers Size Chris Lambert Duane Henry Drug Trafficking Feature Does My Bum Look Big in This Life After Prison Whats Upsetting Our Children MP Julia Goldsworthy Autechre Live In London Hardcore Is More Than Music Media Box Paddington Development Trust The Cut On Myspace