Category: News

November 3, 2016

Animating the History of Stirchley Baths

During October half term we welcomed back film maker Scott Johnson to run some more film challenges as part of the Heritage Programme here at the Baths. This time we opened the opportunity up to a younger age group too, and worked with children aged between 6 and 16 to create two animated films which depict the history of two periods in the Baths’ history timeline; setting the scene for their construction and opening (1903-1911) and the war years (1939-45).

Scott showed us films from the the early days of shadow puppet animation back in the 1920s; looking at how the first animations were made, and Suzanne briefed them on the history of the Baths. Inspired and understanding the challenge they had been set, our young participants then started to develop characters, plots and narrative in order to tell the story. This was followed by a few creative hours cutting out the shadows and backgrounds for the scenes. Then the stop motion animating began…

Here is a gallery of pictures…

animation at stirchley baths

Sport in the main hall of stirchley baths

Animation

Some facts!

There were:

119 cut outs
1564 pictures taken
68 hands removed (from pictures taken!)
20 animators and 3 helpers

The challenge was then thrown into Scott’s court with two days to edit the films, add the sound effects and recorded narration ready to premiere at our red carpet celebration event on the Friday evening. It was great to see most of our participants and their families enjoying the popcorn, movie and Q & A session with the young animators.

We hope you also enjoy the results!

A few reviews…

Incredible work in such a short time! It was lovely seeing the cut outs of the scenes after. Brings the history of the building to life.
Great film, very enjoyable. Good to see the kids getting some creative time.
5/5 wins best animation film!
FABULOUS!!! It’s obvious that a lot of hard work and creativity went into this production. Very proud.
It was fun. 100/100
It was amazing. I really enjoyed it. (Gracie, aged 11)
I loved it! (Ramsey, aged 6)
What a brilliant project. The kids loved it and learnt new skills and we all learnt loads about the history of the baths! More please! (and for grown ups)
Brilliant workshop, film premiere, well done everyone!

The adults want to know when they can have a turn!

Another gallery of pictures, this time of the evening…

Stirchley Baths Animation

Thank you to Scott for superb facilitation and working his ‘movie magic’ with the films, and to everyone involved in the sessions; especially to volunteers Esther and Alex who supported the workshops.

October 27, 2016

STEAM was a Big Draw for artists across the city

It was wonderful to see so many new faces at our STEAM event as part of the Big Draw Festival 2016 on 23 October. We were delighted to see people had travelled across the city, from as far as Ward End to join us. We had two rooms full of activity and 150 people through the doors at a steady, and very chilled pace. It was also great to welcome some more local residents who had come to the Baths for the first time.

This event was a collaboration with Birmingham Society of Botanical Artists, who have their base at the Baths once a month. Great people to work with and VERY talented artists. We also had workshops with Leaf Creative Arts and Natalia, a local resident, who specialises in movement and dance.

You’ll see from the pictures that many families came to enjoy the activities; it was also noticeable how many adults re-discovered their own talent for drawing and appreciated being able to relax with a sketch book and take some time for themselves to be creative with the botanical artists.

A fun and creative afternoon, and the last big event this side of Christmas to be run as part of the Stirchley Baths Heritage Programme. It’s been a very busy couple of months!

A massive thank you to our team of volunteers on the day; our own fantastic crew at the Baths and also volunteers from Birmingham Society of Botanical Arts.

October 17, 2016

Half Term Family Activities at the Baths!

Join us for some half-term fun for all the family! Further details are below the poster.

Family Activity Trails

Tuesday – Friday 9.30-11.30 & 2-4pm

For families there are three different kids activity trails around the building (aimed at the Under 3s, 3-7 and 7-12 year olds). The trails were devised by local families for you!

Around Stirchley Baths you will find evidence of the building’s history. There are memories written on the walls, photographs, old notices and objects to find. There are also original details on the building, shapes and patterns which you will need to look for.

For younger children there is a key hunt.

Lolly prizes!

All week Change Kitchen will offer a kid-friendly menu, with special offers on combined cakes and drink purchases. If you haven’t discovered the cafe yet, it’s the perfect opportunity!

Beryl of the Baths

Friday 28 October 11am – 12pm

Meet Beryl, she’s worked at Stirchley Swimming Baths from the very first day the doors were
opened. She is the caretaker, keeper of the key and all round guardian of the building and she wants to show you around. Come for a dip, the water’s lovely!

A highly energetic, fast paced and fun filled journey through the history of Stirchley Baths for
young children and their families.

Created for Stirchley Baths by Toni Midlane of Toni’s Tots Drama
Length 45mins. Suitable for 3yrs + and perfect for children aged between 4 and 7.

The Book of Life (Certificate U)

Friday 28 October. Sugar skulls mask-making From 2pm-4pm. Film screening at 2.30pm

Join us in an early celebration of the Mexican Day of the Dead Festival in our fabulous cinema room.

Colour in your own sugar skull mask and then sit down to enjoy this 3D animation (in the words of The Observer) “which uses Day of the Dead celebrations to lead us from the land of the living to the lands of the Remembered (joyous, vivacious) and the Forgotten (hellishly grey), where deities La Muerte and Xibalba are locked in passionate struggle, while a warrior and a musician battle for the heart of a super-independent heroine. It’s refreshingly sparky fare, boasting eye-catching design (wooden toys inspire CG magic), musical weirdness (Radiohead will never sound the same again) and proper laugh-out-loud jokes for young and old alike.”

Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks, and the cafe will be open too.

Watch the trailer below!

More details

In the Mexican town of San Angel, Manolo (Diego Luna), Maria (Zoë Saldana) and Joaquin (Channing Tatum) have been friends ever since childhood. Although their lives have taken different paths — Maria was sent to Europe, Joaquin joined the military, and Manolo studied to become a bullfighter — one thing remains the same: Manolo and Joaquin both want to marry Maria. Little does the trio know that battling husband-and-wife deities have made a high-stakes wager on the love triangle’s outcome.

No need to book. Just turn up.

October 6, 2016

The Deep End Calls for National Poetry Day and other poems…

Today is National Poetry Day, so we thought we’d share a couple of poems. The first was written at the Fun Palace on 1st October as part of a water-themed haiku challenge. A Haiku is a poem with 3 lines; the first with 5 syllables, the second with 7, and then the third with 5.

Twisting with the wave.

The boy is coming to shore.

Smiling happily.

Anon.

The second poem was written by Mary Chafer, one of the University of Birmingham drama students who devised and performed The Deep End back in April. For those of you who came to see the show, I expect you’ll remember it!

THE DEEP END CALLS

This building is flooded with the light from above
And drowning in echoes of a persistent past.

Splash, tick, drip…
Permission is granted.
History repeated, reworked and revisioned;
What seeds have been planted?

Wartime washhouse in the winter months
Until Jean rides in on her wonder wave…
‘Get on your dancing shoes Sandra and let’s have a ball’
We bring the life to this water after all.

Splash, tick, drip…
Rain seeps through the crack.
History is here in this sunken bath.
It’s time to look forward, but first let’s look back.

The long hot summer melts the ice from the bones;
Oh the Sixties did swing whilst the Seventies swam
And there stood history taking it in,
Whilst the people, they watched, and they wiled her to win.

Splash, tick, drip…
Tell us, does she stand here alone?
A pressure too great, the cause of collapse.
Sometimes at night hear her solitary moan.

But the people! Oh the people, they came,
Writing their words on the walls of her memory.
Now they begin to craft her future with needle and crane.
They lost it all, but have it all to gain.

This building is flooded with light from above
And drowning in echoes of a persistent past.
Stirchley, she’s here now, we’ve got her, at last.

Mary Chafer

October 6, 2016

Don’t just watch animated movies. Make them!

What are One-day Animation Challenges?

Creating a short stop motion animation film together.
There will be a maximum of 10 young people participating in each animation challenge.
Everyone can try out different roles.
We want to make stories which use the history of Stirchley Baths which can be used in the education programme in the future.
The challenges take part at Stirchley Baths.
We play lots of games at the beginning to help us work together as a team.

How much does it cost?

A very reasonable £10 per participant for the full day workshop (9.30am-5pm). (This includes the film screening celebration event).
The project is heavily subsidised by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the Heritage Activity Programme.

Who can take part?

We have two age groups for our October Half Term Film School: ages 6-10 and age 11-15.
The Film School is targeted primarily at young people local to Stirchley Baths and in the Selly Oak District.
The film challenges are open to all abilities. You may be a budding filmmaker or want to have a go at something completely new. There will be an emphasis on team working.

What do I do to book a place?

Ring or text Suzanne 07793 075737 or email suzanne@suzannecarter.co.uk to check there are spaces available.
If places are available, please download the Registration & Booking Form, which includes some Rules of Engagement. You can also pick up these in person at Stirchley Baths (reception). registration-booking-form_under-16s_inc-rules-of-engagement-october16
Get the completed form back to Suzanne as soon as possible to confirm your place. You can bring your £10 participant’s fee on the day if you are sending the form back electronically. Places will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

Who is running the workshops?

Scott Johnson is a filmmaker, visual artist and musician with over 15 years’ experience in both the UK film and music industries. He has also been facilitating filmmaking with young people for the past 8 years. Scott works across a number of media creating short films, music videos, multi-media installations and music. He has been commissioned internationally, including by Ikon Gallery, BBC Television, Flatpack Festival, Sonar, Edinburgh Film Festival, Domino Records, Capsule and Experimenta Festival. Check out Scott’s work here: https://vimeo.com/album/2962345

Suzanne Carter is the Community Heritage Coordinator at Stirchley Baths and will be there to support the workshops. She knows a fair bit about the history of the place, so you can ask her questions! She has also done a lot of work with schools and young people in the past. if you want to find out more about Suzanne please see her website:www.suzannecarter.co.uk

What do I need to bring to the animation challenge?

A packed lunch.
Ideas, creativity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to work as part of a team.

What does Stirchley Baths provide?

All filmmaking equipment.
Tuition with a professional filmmaker – Scott Johnson (DBS checked).
Support from Suzanne Carter who works at the Baths (DBS checked).
A safe room to leave your belongings.
Drinks and snacks.
An incredible venue and a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills.
Popcorn and drinks at the Film Screening event for you, your friends and family at the end of the workshops on 28 October.

How do we celebrate all our achievements and watch the films we make?

On Friday 28 October, 7.30pm we will host an open event for friends, family and interested local supporters of the Baths. We’ll provide the popcorn and refreshments!
We’d like the young people to be involved in running and organising the event.
A certificate of attendance for the film challenges if you would like one and link to the film you have made.

Want to talk this through with someone?

Contact Suzanne Carter on 07793 075737 for a chat, or email suzanne@suzannecarter.co.uk