DIGITAL DEVISING PROJECT
Created by Animal Real and St Julian's School this site presents independent work created by student's aged 13-17 through 5 sessions, that aimed to inspire and provide guidance through an online devising process. This project is the result of a need to remain creative during the lockdown and explore digital and online art in these times.
These initial creations are the start of a growing collaboration with international schools and this site serves as an online exhibition portal that can grow alongside the project.
ABOUT ANIMAL REAL
Animal Real are a collective of international artists based in Lisbon, Portugal who create performances (in venues and online) which challenge traditional concepts of how theatre is presented.
St. Julian's is a British International school in the Greater Lisbon region, Portugal whose purpose is to create a happy, secure and stimulating learning environment within which all members of our community can achieve their full potential and develop a commitment to lifelong learning.
PROJECT LEADER AT ST. JULIANS
Since remote learning went on for longer than we wanted, I organised an opportunity to be part of a theatre film project, online. This idea sprang from the previous lock down when I became so disenchanted with living without practical creative work that I started to meet up with some actors, where we used our emotions and reaction to lockdown as inspiration for creative work. I was so enthused by the actors’ ideas that I wanted the students to be exposed.
This project aims to develop student leadership, in line with one of the school’s development plans, but also mixes up the year groups; something that has not been possible in “real life contact”.
IGCSE and IB Drama & Theatre students lead and mentor a student in year 8 towards a short creative film which will be shared online.
Three actors, as a collective, called Animal Real, are leading the project.
This is a great opportunity for students to continue to develop their skills and their records of achievement in difficult circumstances of lock down. - Caroline Latter, Project Leader at St. Julian's School
MY REACTION TO LOCKDOWN
In the first lockdown I was so fed up with being cut off from doing practical, creative, work that as soon as the opportunity arose, I connected with some actors. I wanted to experiment with how we could express our feelings about lockdown through physical theatre.
These actors were "Animal Real".
I was inspired to work with them.
I wanted to give the students the opportunity to work with these actors and, hence, the project was initiated.
THE PROJECT
I wanted students to be able to continue with creativity despite lockdown. Although online work doesn't have quite the same gusto, I wanted the students to be inspired by the actors in some way; the way I was with the actors when we explored our own ideas.
I also wanted to give an opportunity for different ages to mix and for older students with some experience to have the opportunity to have a mentor/leader role.
After a collaboration of ideas, this little project began.
THE NEXT STEP
The students are really keen for other schools to have an exhibition wall on the website, allowing students to watch and share each other's video art.
I would like to thank Animal Real for leading this project and congratulate the students who took part.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET YOUR SCHOOL INVOLVED WITH THE DIGITAL DEVING PROJECT CONTACT ANIMAL REAL AT oanimalreal@gmail.com