Animation Stall, Village Fete: outcome

After the usual difficulties in matching a camera, tripod, a laptop a projector and a screen, the system was all set up on the stage and ready to run by midday.

Children aged between 4 and 14 rapidly picked up the purpose of the stall, aided by a continuous projection of this animation which I had prepared earlier:

blackbird video

Materials including blank storyboards, card, coloured letters, connectors, plasticine and some props were on hand. The first animations featured a log flume, a game of football, a fight, a shooting and an all consuming whale.

Here are the most original and inventive films: a giant pierced through the heart by an arrow against the background of the village:

And a giraffe which transforms when fed a leek by a girl:

The pace and the vitality of the ideas impressed me.  

Many people told me I was being too ambitious in offering to compile animations on the day but it proved possible to record a film with titles lasting 3-10 seconds.  Children formed into groups of one to three and drew detailed storyboards.  Having an assistant would have helped no end but the children were motivated enough to be patient when they had to queue and when I needed a break.

It was an exhausting day but thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who participated.