‘Food For Thought’

‘Food for Thought’ – a short animated film will be screened at Manorbier School on Thursday 24^th September at 2pm. Pupils from Manorbier VC Primary School have been working with local animator, Chris Elliott making a short film about the body and healthy eating called ‘Food for thought’, thanks to a £1,000 grant from Health Challenge Pembrokeshire. Year 3 and 4 pupils, who are focusing on a project about the body this term, are bringing their ideas to life by animating food and skeletons. They have been shown how to animate their drawings as well as fruit and vegetables; and throughout have been learning about the importance of a balanced healthy diet. The project kicked off with a talk by a member of the Health Challenge Pembrokeshire team.
Chris believes animation is a useful tool to help bring the childrens’ ideas to life and help them focus on the themes in a fun and interactive way, whilst learning new IT skills using animation software.
Class teacher Mr Stirling said “It has been really good having Chris here. The children have been able to learn and apply so many skills in one project. They have been engaged in problem solving, thinking skills, using ICT, creative writing and planning. Not to mention music and having to work as a team. It has been a truly cross-curricular experience that has ticked so many boxes. Best of all the children have had fun in the process and created something they can be proud of.” One pupil said ‘Its awesome the way the animation can make still things come to life….like our drawings…I enjoyed it best when Chris got us to move around the field when, that was fun”
Chris Elliott, co-founder of Cinetig works all over Wales with schools and community groups making animated films. Cinetig are an award-winning company with awards ranging from BAFTAs, to Chicago International Childrens Film Festival and International Student Animation Festival, Ottowa.
Local politicians will join the school for the screening, including Councillor Sian James, Cabinet Member for Health and Well-being; Councillor Huw George, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People. Also attending will be Duncan Whitehurst, ICT Advisor for Pembrokeshire and organiser of Pembrokeshire Film and Animation Festival, as well of course Year 3 and 4 pupils who made the film.
Cinetig was set up in 1998 and specialise in creating high quality award-winning films through close collaboration with communities, schools, youth clubs throughout Wales and the UK. Since 1998 they have produced over 60 films with young people allowing their voices to be expressed through an exploration of history, culture and identity. For more information and to see show reels visit www.cinetig.co.uk or contact chrisjames.elliott@virgin.net .