A Story of a Film
This page is part of a series of examples of ways to write about Art & Design.
It can be used as part of an English for Creatives Class Plan, or by artists and designers looking to improve their writing about art/presentation skills.
Here I tell you the story of a film.
Not because I think it’s a particularly great film!
This blog is intended as a resource for English language learners to gain practical and professional language in a context.
English for Creatives Class Plan
Today’s subjects are marketing, social media, film-making and creativity.
We’ll also discuss spontaneity over planning – which is stronger in your creative practice?
Let’s Begin with the Film…
Your Artist English Teacher
Although I’m a language teacher, I’m also a visual artist, At the time of making the film I thought Instagram was perfect for communicating the ethos and fun of our language school.
I also enjoyed seeing the images from around the world that the many people we follow post.
It’s odd to think of a virtual platform of mostly strangers as a community, but it is!
“The trick to good animation is meticulous planning & storyboarding – and I quite obviously did none of that.”
Ruth Pringle, 2020
Spontaneity or Planning?
I’m a painter at heart. I build on what I see, so I made the little stop-motion animation first without considering too much about what (if any) text I would write.
Respect to animators, film-makers, architects and tapestry makers who have to have everything planned out in advance.
I just can’t get creative in that way.
It’s a real skill and I wish I could.
Rookie Errors
I uploaded the images onto my computer for editing and discovered an annoying piece of fluff in most of the shots.
It also turned out that I should have set the date/time on the second camera, as it jumbled all the images up while uploading.
Perhaps impulsivity is a creative strength (I’m sure it makes me an engaging teacher).
However, it’s a huge weakness in animation!
English for Creatives Class Plan
Turn this example into a conversation about spontaneity over planning.
Are the students more prone to one or the other, does it disadvantage them in their chosen field? And how can one learn these skills? Are they habits or innate personality traits?
What About the Pickled People?
I bought the jar of people at our fabulous local Remake Scrap Store.
“Remake Scotland is a creative reuse organisation, aiming to divert potential landfill and encourage grassroots creativity. We encourage everyone to make good stuff from old stuff while learning to use tools with confidence.”
Perthshire Creates Website
Remake: Impossible to Leave Empty-Handed
I discovered the jar of people a couple of months ago and bought it for Kenny’s Christmas present ( I think it cost a pound – he’s such a lucky guy!).
The hardest thing about it was keeping it secret for two months!
English for Creatives Class Plan
Do you have a similar environmental initiative in your home town? How does it work?
So Who Made All The Pickled People?
There’s even a World Gurning Championship. (Britain quite likes its odd and unusual sporting events).
English for Creative Careers Class Plan
From Cheese Rolling to Extreme Ironing, what weird British sports or community traditions can the students find online?
Share with the class.
The Context of the Film
Communicating on Social Media
A short film to wish everyone a Happy New Year, describing how we feel about celebrating a new year within our current climate. The last year brought such profound change, disappointment, sadness – but was also filled with heroes, community spirit and new forms of trust.
We wish the last year had been very different, but welcome the new year as new chance for change, and want to wish you all the very best.
Happy New Year everyone!
Ruth Pringle, 2020
English for Creative Careers Class Plan
Instagram, what do you use it for?
Hint: remember after for to use the gerundive form of the verb (I use it for ____ing …).
Recent Comments