1998 Project | 1997 Project

The 1998 Animation @ The Beacon Project

"Situated in the harbour of this scenic coastal town, the Beacon Heritage Centre is the ideal venue for the Animha Summerschool Workshops held in Whitehaven, Cumbria." The 1998 Animation @ The Beacon Project was a great success. Two weekend workshops were held at Whitehaven this summer, followed by a special screening on August 15th. Nine people aged from 10 to 50 years took part in this years Animha Summerschool at The Beacon Heritage Centre, Whitehaven, Cumbria. The events ran from 10am to 4pm on each weekend, July 25-26 and August 1-2. Three short animated films were made and screened at the Beacon to a full house. Project supported by Copeland Borough Council and Northern Arts.

Participants of the 1998 Animha Summerschool Workshops... (top left to right) Christian Sanderson, Sadie Johnston, Nichola Lowrey, Robert Lancaster, Chris Allen, Michael Cloud. (bottom left to right) Eleanor Hinde, Rita Laker, Michael Gregson.	"Sadie, Nichola and Rita concentrate on their animation sequence."
"Rob animates his own character.. The Storyteller"	"Action is well underway in the workshop."

The 1997 Animation @ The Beacon Project

Whitehaven, August 1997 - At The Beacon Heritage Centre in Whitehaven, Cumbria, an animation summerschool was held to engage local youngsters in the creative processes of film animation. Through a series of intensive production workshops, several young people made short animated films which reflect upon aspects of life in West Cumbria, and relate to issues such as work and landscape. Budding animators spent a week with Film Maker Dave Brunskill, of Animha Productions, making films using the technique of `claymation`. Dave also produced his own short documentary about the project which was screened at The Beacon together with all the youngsters` animated films on Friday 29 August. The students were encouraged to write a storyboard which was related to the Whitehaven area by using exhibitions in The Beacon for inspiration.

Stills from Norm & Nige`s Camping Experience Norm & Nige's Camping Experience Doug Moon (14) and Stephanie Graham (14), both of Whitehaven School chose hiking as the topic for their film which they called " Norm and Nige`s Camping Experience". A routine camping trip turns into a holiday nightmare when the couple encounter a rather naughty sheep.

Stills from Cany the Canary Cany the Canary Sadie Johnston (15) and Shirley Crickett (16), from Egremont School, decided to make a film about mining after seeing the exhibition of the William Pit mining disaster of 1947, on display in The Beacon gallery. "Cany the Canary" highlighted the issue of animal exploitation in the coal mining industry.

Stills from The Rum Butter Robbery The Rum Butter Robbery Andrew Hayes (13), of St Benedict`s School, chose to tackle the subject of smuggling in a very novel way. His film, "The Rum Butter Robbery", depicted one theory of the invention of a famous cumbrian sweetmeat.

**This event was a pilot project and a great success. It is hoped that more will be offered in the future. **Funded by Copeland Borough Council & Northern Arts. **Special thanks to: Jane Hanlon, Reemer Bailey and Barbara Barnes, & and all staff at The Beacon.

These events can be tailored to your groups requirements.
To find out more contact Animha :
mail@animha.co.uk