Sharing stories through animation with ST/ART
We're delighted to share a selection of stories with you, created by participants of our spring ST/ART programme.
ST/ART is a partnership project between our Learning team and Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust (THAT) which has been running since 2004. The project is designed to help engage individuals with long term health conditions, such as head injuries, stroke, MS and chronic pain, with different creative activities as a way to promote health and wellbeing.
Our spring programme focused on the creative process of animation and how it can be used to tell different stories. Follow along with the process...
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ST/ART Animation 2023
Inspiration
Seven participants took part in the project, led by DCA Learning Coordinator Andrew Low and supported by freelance artist tutors Beth Robertson, Sarah Burt and Ian Tayac. It all started with an optional visit to DCA, which included a gallery tour of Matthew Arthur Williams's exhibition, Soon Come, and an informal introduction to animation. This visit to the exhibition directly influenced some of the finished animations, with inspiration coming from the style and subject matter of Williams's film work.
Pre-Production
The group then attended workshops that began with a cup of tea and an introduction to animation. Participants learned about different animation and film techniques, including stop-motion with armatures (the framework which around a sculpture is build), paper cut-outs, time-lapse and digital. The Learning team and freelance artists then helped each member of the group to come up with an idea for their film. From this they each created a storyboard and got to work on making and sourcing any characters, sets and props needed.
Animation and Post-Production
Once everything was ready, it was time to get animating! Participants worked with our team to find the best way of getting their idea from the page to the screen. Some opted for 2D paper cut-out techniques, while others created armatures and 3D sets for them to inhabit. Some went even further and combined several different processes to visualise their ideas. Sound for each film was created using a mixture of Foley work, which saw participants creating sounds using found objects, and a library of sound effects. The sound and visuals were then edited together by Andrew, with direction and instruction from the participants.
Premiere
The final films were premiered at a special screening in Cinema 2, where participants came together with their friends, family and staff from DCA to watch and celebrate their work. Scroll up to the top of the page to watch the finished animations.
I love coming to DCA, it’s great fun learning new things, plus the social contact is good.
Feedback
We really enjoyed hosting this project and helping participants to explore new creative ways of expressing themselves. We also loved hearing their feedback - we asked what was important about taking part and here's what the group had to say:
Opening up your world so you do exciting things that you thought you’d never do.
This is my fourth time at DCA and I look forward to coming. It gets me motivated, meeting people, everyone is so supportive and friendly.
They are always such well thought out and enjoyable programmes, there is a different theme all the time.
I just want to say how much I enjoyed it. It helps you understand animation.
Our partnership with THAT continues throughout the year, with participants trying a wide range of different printmaking techniques as well as Japanese Brush Calligraphy. We can't wait to share the results!