Who doesn’t like Shaun the Sheep? Even if you find his chat a bit woolly, you have to give him credit for being such a sweet-sheep and loving his mossy bottom family. In honour of Shaun, Timmy, The Twins, Slip, The Farmer and the release of his first ever feature film this year, the BFI are dedicating their 1/2 term family events to him and his makers ‘Aardman’. Ps. The Guardian gives the film a whopping 4star review, read more here.
PS. if you’re stuck on where to watch the movie when it comes out, check out my guide to the best of London’s independent cinema for kids here.
Here’s your Bus Stop quiz question of the week; Which comedian/ actor voices Bitzer the Dog and the Farmer, Mr Elf, King Marigold (Ben & Hollys Little Kingdom) and Steven in Fireman Sam? Leave your answer in the comments box, expect a tiny but very sweet present to be on it’s way to someone picked at random.
Here is a round up of the workshops on offer for the kids … if you want my advice, I’d say “Go book it Bitzer”.
The Great Escape!
Film making workshop and screening Mon 16 February (10:00 – 16:00) : 8 – 14 yrs (children work in age appropriate groups) You’ll be having lots of fun at this Chicken Run inspired workshop where a drama will be created with an all important flying sequence – using green screen technology! You’ll also be scripting an escapade drama and delving into the dressing up and props boxes to create characters that will be scary and funny in equal measure!
Workshop from 10:00 – 14:30 Screening of Chicken Run from 14:30 – 16:00 (Please bring a packed lunch). Cost per ticket: £27.50 (includes workshop and screening) & Siblings are £18.50 each. Parents leave their children for the duration.
Aardman Curse of the Were-Rabbit Messy Time!
Tue 17 Feb : 12:30 – 14:00 : 0 – 7 years
Film making workshop, creative crafts and screening – The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (BBFC Classification U)
At this workshop there will be crafts galore – making a Were-rabbit puppet or mask, painting and drawing, sculpting and gluing… also – plasticine animating! Using stop motion animation software… so lots of fun to be had! And the best bit? No clearing up to do afterwards!
Workshop from 12.30 – 14:00 – 14:30 Screening of The Curse of the Were-Rabbit from 14:30 – 16:00
You can bring a packed lunch or there are places to eat in the building or near by NB> Parents must stay with their children. Tickets are £5 each/siblings are £4 (please note: animations can be filmed onto mobile devices or bring a memory stick to take them away – the BFI cannot send them after the workshop) Tickets to attend the screening to be purchased separately.
The Brilliant Art of Claymation!
Film making workshop and screening : Wed 18 Feb 10:00 – 16:00 : 8 – 14 year olds (children work in age appropriate groups)
If you have ever wanted to try your hand at plasticine stop-motion animating, this is the perfect workshop for you! Working in small groups you’ll be creating a stop-motion animation scene complete with narration, sound effects and you’ll find out how to add additional effects – how to add effects like snowing, raining or explosions can be discovered – so not just an animation workshop! Workshop from 10:00 – 14:30 Screening of Chicken Run from 14:30 – 16:00 (Please bring a packed lunch). Cost per ticket: £27.50 (includes workshop and screening) & Siblings are £18.50 each & Parents leave their children for the duration.
The Curse of the Were…what?!
Film making workshop and screening (The Curse of the Were-Rabbit) : Thu 19 Feb : 10:00 – 16:00 : For 8 – 14 year olds (children work in age appropriate groups)
You’ll be delving into a dark and humorous place with today’s workshop that will explore themes of Were-nesses! So you will have Werewolves and Were-Rabbits… at the fun workshop you’ll be exploring this theme, using your imaginations and creativity to produce films which could be scary…ooh er… or funny! Workshop from 10:00 – 14:30 Screening of The Curse of the Were-Rabbit from 14:30 – 16:00 (Please bring a packed lunch. Cost per ticket: £27.50 (includes workshop and screening) & Siblings are £18.50 each & Parents leave their children for the duration.
Parents Information;
Email Joanna.vandermeer@bfi.org.uk if you have any specific queries such as access/ disability/ allergies/ special needs.
Bookings only via box office on 020 7928 3232 from 11am – 20.00 each day (All tutors are certificated). Films created at workshops (except Messy Time) are posted to our Youtube channel above once they are fully edited – the BFI do their best to finish them on the day but sometimes this is not possible. Check out their YouTube channel for previous workshop films. Sometimes due to time constraints it can take a few weeks for the films to appear.
All at BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XT : Nearest Underground and Train – Waterloo.
Shaun in the City Gossip for 2015;
In 2015, Aardman’s internationally-acclaimed character Shaun the Sheep will appear in two ewe-nique arts trails! Over 100 giant sculptures of Shaun the Sheep created by artists, celebrities and designers will be placed in iconic locations and beautiful green spaces across London and Bristol.
Shaun in the City will be appearing in London in spring and flocking to Bristol in summer, before both flocks go to auction to raise money for sick children in hospitals across the UK.
The London trail will take place from Saturday 28th March to Monday 25th May, and the Bristol trail from Monday 6th July to Monday 31st August.
Shaun in the City is brought to you by the team that created the award-winning ‘Gromit Unleashed’ which saw Aardman’s loveable canine sidekick Gromit raise £2.3 million for Bristol Children’s Hospital.
Credit : All images copyright Aardman Films.
Creative Bus Stop 