The Tate Movie Project is the first of its kind – an animated movie made by and for children across the UK. Showcasing the vivid imaginations of kids, the Tate Movie Project uses great artworks to inspire 5–13 year-olds nationwide to contribute their ideas to the movie. Children create every aspect of the film, from the hand-drawn characters and plot twists to the costumes and comic sound effects.
An online presence
On 15 July 2010 the project went live. At its heart is the Tate Movie Project website. Children were able to be involved in the whole movie making process online. When children entered the website they were welcomed by Ronnie, the animated ‘Movie Director’, alongside a host of other characters who would guide them through the process as they explored animation, scripting, editing and sound effects. The vast bank of material created by children was then brought together by Tate, Aardman Animations and creative agency Fallon, using the latest animation technology.
A roadshow around the UK
The Tate Movie Project truck took to the road in July 2011 on a national three-month tour of production workshops. The truck travelled to 55 locations across the UK, visiting primary schools, family events and festivals. The truck folded out into a state-of-the-art creative learning studio, complete with sound studio space, computers and a screening facility, all of which could be cleared away for workshops and activities. The children worked in the truck with artists and filmmakers who have delivered hundreds of production workshops.
Workshops took place between October 2010 and March 2011 at a network of partner galleries across the UK. The roadshows page on the Tate Movie Project website shows the full itinerary for the truck’s tour.
The finished film
The finished film, The Itch of the Golden Nit was broadcast on BBC TV in summer 2011. Preceding this, CBBC’s Blue Peter followed the real-life production process and encouraging kids to get involved. It was also screened in Trafalgar Square and on London 2012 Live Sites (big screens) in cities across the UK, as part of London 2012 Open Weekend.
The project has been made possible through £3million of funding from Legacy Trust UK, and will become part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. BP, as one of the Premier Partners of the Cultural Olympiad, is providing further sponsorship and practical support to the education programme underpinning the project. As well as broadcast support, BBC Learning produced fun, accessible resources for kids and teachers alike.
How to get involved
Children
Visit the Tate Movie Project website to sign up and join the movie team.
Schools
There are links to digital teaching resources on the Tate Movie Project website that will help teachers to run their own workshops and contribute to the project, even if the team isn’t coming to your school. Free printed resource packs with accompanying DVD can also be ordered online.
Contact us
For other enquiries email us at movie@tate.org.uk
