Animation Club at Teignmouth Library

After a jam-packed session at TAAG on Tuesday, next on the bill is Animation Club at Teignmouth Library, kicking off next Monday from 4-5pm. See below for more details 🙂

 

Our theme will be Mythical Creatures (aka monsters!) and the kids will get to create and animate their own special mythical creature, making up unique, individual stories.

 

We still have places available, so please get in touch if you need more info and to book!

 

Animal Characters at Magic Carpet Honiton

Although we’re all familiar with them, animal characters are a pretty strange idea really. Animals who dress up, eat, speak and generally behave just like humans…? Paddington is a great example, and there are so many to choose from: Mr Toad, Top Cat, Dangermouse, Roger Rabbit, the list is (almost) endless.

So during the past couple of sessions we’ve been inventing our own at Magic Carpet, and then making them into little 3D cutouts, with their own “environment”.

 

Simon Otto – Character design in “How to train Your Dragon”

I’m a massive fan of both “How to Train Your Dragon” films, mainly because the characters are so well developed, entertaining and believable, and character design and development are an important element in the animation and comics workshops I run.  So I found this interview with Simon Otto, head of character animation at Dreamworks, really fascinating. Have a look if you want some tips on how to create fantastic characters, and find out how Toothless was inspired by his cat and baby boy!

 

 

 

We need to keep arts teaching in state schools!

Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre made great arguments for keeping arts teaching in state schools in his recent Guardian opinion piece, here it is if you didn’t see it. Arts are VITAL for children’s development, improving observational skills, lateral thinking/problem solving, fine motor skills, to name only a few benefits. All private schools in the UK include the arts in their curriculum (Eton has three theatres for the use of its students), and even they have stated clearly that they do not understand the government’s attitude towards the arts in state schools. Let’s hope the new Education Secretary sees the light.

 

February – March Animation Workshops in Teignmouth

Two  Small World events are coming up in February: a one-off animation workshop during half term celebrating the release of the new Aardman film “Early Man”, and an animation club kicking off at Teignmouth library after half term 🙂

“Early Person” Animation Workshop

To celebrate the release of “Early Man” come and create and animate your own 3D early cave person character! This fun workshop is aimed at 7-12 year-olds, but open to keen-beans either side of that age group 🙂

Running from 10am-12.30pm on Tuesday 13th February at TAAG, Northumberland Place in Teignmouth, you have the option of staying to enjoy making and creating with your child, or dropping them off and collecting them at the end of the session. Unaccompanied children must be aged 8 and over.

The session is ÂŁ8 per child, with sibling reductions available. Advance booking is essential as there are limited spaces.

 

 

 Animation Club at Teignmouth Library

Kicking off on Monday 19th February and running till March 26th, the Small World Animation Club will run between 4-5pm on five consecutive Monday nights (except March 5th when there is no session).

We’ll be inventing and creating characters, making up stories and working in all sorts of different media to make short 2D and 3D animations.

The price for all five sessions is ÂŁ20 per child, payable in advance. Booking in advance is essential. The club is aimed at 7-11 year olds, but 6 year olds can join if accompanied by an adult at all the sessions. Limited number of places so early booking advised.

Get in touch by email smallworldanimations@hotmail.co.uk or phone 07746326860 for inquiries or if you want to book.

Happy New year from Small World

Having finally emerged from a post-xmas and new year slumber, Small World projects have now started in earnest 🙂

Last week saw the start of The Alice in Wonderland Drama project for magic Carpet in Honiton. I’m helping the guys design and make animal puppets and masks to use in their performance. During the first session we concentrated on how to create an “animal character”, and how talking animals are really quite a strange idea! People were particularly inspired by the “Wind in the Willows” book I took in, with the original EH Shepard illustrations, and made some great drawings. Photos to follow.

And today is the first day back for Bishopsteignton Comics Club, which has turned out to be really popular with the kids. We’re in the process of putting together their first comic, which will be available in print and as a download. More news soon 🙂 In the meantime, here’s the lovely “Mr Toast the Detective”, and  his baked-goods adversaries by seven-year old Rupert. I think they’re brilliant 🙂

The Big Draw at TAAG – Programme of Events

TAAG’s “Animated Magic!” Big Draw Event

What’s On

There’s a whole range of exciting activities taking place between 14-27 October at the Big Draw event at TAAG in Northumberland Place, Teignmouth!

This year’s theme is “Living Lines” – aka animation – so come along and watch animations made by local artists and children, and if you want to learn how to make your own animated films, join in with some of the fab workshop activities we’ve got lined up. There is something for everyone, whether you’re 2 or 102!

We’ll be open every day between 10am to 5pm showing animated films made by local artists and children specially for the Big Draw, and displaying “behind the scenes” and still images to give an insight into how the animations were made.

Programme of Activities and Workshops

All day every day: Cartoon Hall of Fame: Come and grab some paper and pencils and draw your favourite cartoon character! You can take your picture home or pop it on the wall in our gallery area for everyone to admire! All ages: free drawing activity (suggested donation £1 to go to the brilliant Helen Foundation who have partly funded this year’s Big Draw).

18th October: Drive-In Cinema: Make your own cardboard box car and motor into our drive-in cinema to watch a selection of short animations specially selected for tinies. Booking essential. 11-12.30: Under-5s. ÂŁ3, parents/carers free

19th and 26th October: Living Lines Drop-In animation workshopJoin Small World Animations’ Claire Evans and make your own hand-drawn animation. 11am-1pm: all ages; free (suggested donation £2)

 21 October: Comics Club Animation Workshop Special! Design, make and animate your own superhero character in this Halloween-themed workshop! Can your superhero defeat the crazy scientist’s diabolical monsters? 10am-12pm: ages 5 and up (5-7 year olds must be accompanied by an adult); £3 per child; booking essential

 24th October: Drive-In Cinema: Come and make your own cardboard box car and motor into our drive-in cinema to watch a selection of short animations specially selected for 5-10 year olds. Booking essential. 11-12.30: Over 5s and up. £3, parents/carers free; booking essential

 FOR MORE INFO AND TO BOOK, CONTACT CLAIRE:

smallworldanimations@hotmail.co.uk