We're back from the hols and ready to go! Year 2 A level students begin the final making stages of their projects. Year 1 have an assessment incoming. UAL are about to start their FMP so we're ready to kick on. Over the hols, I've watched much of the Christmas Specials, however, apart from Ghosts maybe, all are too Christmassy for this New Year addition. Baring all that in mind, I have gone for a selection of cultural nuggets that all you to reflect on the past and make it onto something new and exciting. I have listened to and looked at a whole host of creativity around Mythical beings and folklore. There is something for everyone. It's great to see so much content being produced with this in mind, so I wanted to share some of the things I have found interesting and hopefully you will too. I like how these ancient tales are still so relevant today, with the things they warned against, still be issues today, in many cases. It's wonderful to see young people embracing the culture and making their own lore. From professional Mermaids to Ancient Prehistoric Marine Life. Cartoon adventurers to modern Witches. Something to get you out of your comfort zone and ready for the next stage.
BBC PODCAST: MYTHICAL CREATURES
This series of episodes tells us all about the different types of Mythical creatures we have in Britain. It tells the stories from across different parts of our Isles but also explains how and why the stories might well of come about. Cautionary tails and explaining terrible events. It references our own Modern influences too. Each episode is 15 minutes long so you can drop in and out, I've really enjoyed listening to them, over the last few days.
KEY SKILLS COVERED: Embrace your individuality. Curiosity. Presentation of ideas. Aware of the world.
BBC PODCAST: WITCH
In this series Witch, explores all aspects of what it means to be a Witch, from the original tails of women who were in-tune with nature, to the their demonisation and the witch trials and concluding with the reclamation of the phrase by modern women. It's a really interesting listen and certainly more about women than folklore. Great to show research and how you have to understand the whole story before you can make your mind up about the topic.
KEY SKILLS COVERED: Embrace your individuality. Curiosity. Presentation of ideas.
PODCAST: UNCANNY LANDSCAPES
So you've probably noticed, I've been listening to a lot of Podcasts this past week. The Uncanny Landscape Pod if full of creatives who are making work inspired by the natural environments they are in. From writers who are responding to mental health issues and the benefits of exercise, to groups sharing our history. the Podcasts are full of interesting ideas and musings on the natural world. I have enjoyed all of the ones I have listened to so far, even discovering new creatives to explore further. Richard Skelton, I forgot about, talks about making Music, whilst Jem Fisher, talks film making and recreating old ceremonies.
A further example of contemporary creatives, using the past as inspiration.
KEY SKILLS COVERED: Embrace your individuality. Curiosity. Importance of research. Presentation of ideas. Collaboration. Resilience. Risk Taking
NETFLIX: HILDA: S3
Hilda returned to Netflix over the break with Season 3, it's final series. I have loved watching Hilda with my son, a fun mix of folklore, witches, ghosts and norse mythology. Some parts are even quite scary for a kids cartoon.
Luke Pearson the comic book artists tells great stories of young people exploring who they are, whilst saving their town from all manner of creature. There are some great call backs from season 1 here and sopme of the books. If you haven't watched it, I would highly recommend it, full of amazing visuals, a great casts and exciting stories.
NEW SEASON: WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS: S4
A new series of this great show. I've shared each new series over the years. The show is created by Taika Wahiti (Thor Ragnorok/ JO JO Rabbit and Jermaine Clement: Flight of the Conchords) It's the story of 4 Vampires and their day to day lives on Stanton ISland New York. It's full of great comedy, modern vampire references and stars some of the best British comedy talent around, despite being US made. If you've not watched the rest, you can catch up on the three previous seasons and the film that started it all off.
YOUTUBE: MINIMINUTEMAN
After a few myths and legends and how people have created these stories, I have selected a number of things that you can explore to understand the context in which these stories could have been made and what was being made in these times.
Milo Rossi's, Miniminuteman is an excellent Youtube channel that shows the history of us all. He has, more recently, begun to debunk and interrogate archeologists and conspiracy theorists who claim aliens created all ancient monuments etc. His extensive understanding and research allow him to explain how, it was, possible for our ancestors to make these articles. He works with experts and visits sights himself. He also is able to present his ideas in a really fun and irreverent way, making this ancient information seem relevant for today's audience.
KEY SKILLS COVERED: Embrace your individuality. Curiosity. Importance of Research. Presentation of ideas. Collaboration. Resilience. Risk Taking
ATTENBOROUGH AND THE GIANT SEA MONSTER GIANT
A great new TV show, first aired this week. He shows how upon finding an incredible fossil, how so much can be discovered. How it ate, how strong it was, how it moved. Also incredible digital skills on show as animators make the Sea Monster come to life. A very interesting watch.
In the past the discovery of these fossils, would be explained as dragons or sea monsters, because what else could they be. People trying to understand a world that they didn't know existed.
KEY SKILLS COVERED: Embrace your individuality. Curiosity. Importance of research. Presentation of ideas. Collaboration. Resilience. Risk Taking
NEW SEASON: DIGGING FOR BRITAIN: S11
Much like the Docs above, this is another show that allows us to understand what life was like in the past, many of the artifacts found are the creative aspects of the culture, from Mosaics to sculptures, swords to bracelets. So the creative act is what allows us to understand what life was like. Worth remembering if anyone asks why is art important?
There are 11 series of Digging for Britain and it's great slow TV. Relax and enjoy the beautiful landscapes and objects that out ancestors have produced. It's hard to believe Romans lived in Manchester or cermonies took place in the hills that surround us. Really cool insight into who we were.
KEY SKILLS COVERED: Embrace your individuality. Curiosity. Importance of research. Presentation of ideas. Collaboration. Resilience. Risk Taking