4th Annual First Cut! – An Epic Success

The 4th Annual First Cut! youth Film Festival which took place in cobh recently continued last week with a special four-day animation workshop facilitated by artists/trainers Gary Rosborough and Jan Caspers and organised by the Sirius Arts Centre.

Jan and Gary were brought to the attention of the Sirius Arts Centre’s Artistic Director by the Education Department at C/O Museum in Berlin last December.  The Animators, who are based in Derry and Germany, teach similar workshops there and also in Palestine for the past four years.

Students from Colaiste Muire, Rushbrooke National School and Cobh Community college took part in the workshop where they learned many different techniques on film making.  Alex Murphy, Niamh Butler and Gina Halpin who worked on a project together said It’s been really fun and amazing to see our work come to life after all the planning and preparation.  it’s very satisfying to see the end product.  We’ve learned a lot and Gary and Jan have been really helpful.”

“The main aim of these workshops is to teach not only young people, but also their teachers the art of basic animation.  This method allows teachers and youth workers to develop future film projects on their own allowing communities to engage in new creative ideas, while promoting collaboration, imagination and fun” said Gary.

Gary explained, “we use the stop motion procedure as an educational process so the kids can learn a new way of telling stories using a mixture of enjoyment and hard work.  The  kids have been engrossed during the whole process.”

When asked about how the week has gone for him Jan said”as a professional teaching students new techniques and seeing their achievements is very impressive.  It’s very satisfying for us to see we are not teaching empty vessels but tapping into and expanding their existing potential.”

“This workshop is the first step of a multi-phased programme engaging local schools through Sirius’ International Artist in Residence programme.” said Sarah ironmonger of the Centre.  Jan and Gary are expected to return to Cobh in November 2013 for a longer stay.  The series of workshops, assisted by the staff of the Sirius Arts Centre, Mary McGrath and First Cut! along with local volunteers, was funded by SECAD (South East Cork Area Development), Cobh Town Council and the Arts Council.