Have been looking at stop-motion animation quite a bit recently and this cropped up.

It has been self indulgent, but as with many courses of this nature, being given the time to reflect on what you enjoy, why you enjoy it, and remembering the last time you did this was probably at uni, is the biggest treat of the whole process. I would never have taken the time to redevelop an interest in photography without this course. I would never have spent the time needed to develop my skills with Photoshop to the degree they are at present. I would not have questioned where I was going with my paintings and where my interests really lie. There are so many things that I have been privileged to rekindle, begin and think upon, which would have been out of the question. So many silly little attempts that failed miserably. So many chance happenings that my eyes where more open to because I had started to think about looking for them – again. When did it happen that a creative and flexible job like teaching became the trap that it is today? Don’t get me wrong, There is a lot about teaching that is creative – for me, most especially the performances. But without those moments, when I can put that hat on, I would have died inwardly years ago. And fortunately, I had a class that were wonderfully open to trying out different ways of working. They looked for ‘creative’ ways to ‘do’ work.

But now its back to the serious project. The last, big, final reflection. And despite my interest in painting and portraits, I have found that the main focus I will be exploring, with various groups around my school, will be film. Film or video. Recording for a whole host of reasons and how we use it in the class room, how we use it for our selves, creating films, animations, whatever.

We have a film club, where we can watch a variety of films and of course, there have been plenty of Bug’s Lives, and Bolts, and other animations to watch. But developing a wish list of more unusual films has been an interesting trip.  Some suggested ‘Born Free’ so we watch that. The film club were so interested in it we watched the follow up film, ‘Living Free’. I would never have expected that group to have had the patience for a film of that pace. They loved it.

We’ve also made our own short films – another big learning curve as here was a whole new language to learn. And the field is so enormous.

This is were I’m asking you to make a contribution

I want to know which were your favourite childhood films. Make a list and add them to the comment box below. I know the font is faint in there, but I would love to compile a list of favourites.

Also do any of you have experience of making films?

At home? How did you edit?

Did you ever do that cine thing!

Please comment on your film past. Reflections essential!

I’ve lost my original book so I’m buying it again before the film come out in Feb 2011.
This old video clip gives an idea of the book’s themes.

Brilliant opening sequence by PolitelyHomicidal. It features Roy Lichtenstein’s comic strip works, of course Andy Warhol portraits, and others from the Pop Art movement, but also the much overlooked Richard Hamilton’s Just What Is It That Makes Today’s Homes So Different, So Appealing?

Looking For Eric

Looking for Eric – what a gem. I loved this film. It’s beautifully crafted. I don’t know how they catch people reacting to each other so naturally. The central character is the most unlikely hero. He’s certainly not your Alfa Male, but he’s just lovely and he has your sympathy right from the start. I was so frustrated for him with his break down, thoughtless step lads and that shabby, and my god it was shabby, house.

There’s not much going for him. And he just continues to sink further into his own despair, despite the best of efforts from the most inept bunch of mates. It takes a lot of self-talk in the form of a philosophical Cantona and a number of spliffs, which must help free the mind, before things do start to turn around.

It’s wonderfully gritty and yet it’s characters never step beyond the boundaries of being gentlemen – even when dealing with the local psychopath.

If you haven’t already, you need to go Looking for Eric.