FISHING for squid, shipwrecks off Chesil Beach and a stolen Olympic torch all feature in a trilogy of films made by Weymouth and Portland schoolchildren to be showcased across big screens during 2012 Sailing events.
Children at three primary schools have been working with artists from Dorchester Arts to write, draw, animate and create The Portland Race, The Helpful Dead and The Big Splash.
They will be screened over the summer at the big screen live sites, the National Sailing Academy and the Maritime Mix 360 dome on Weymouth Beach as part of the Maritime Mix – the cultural Olympiad by the sea.
Budding film makers from Underhill Junior School, Wyke Regis Junior School and St John’s Primary School even hosted a premiere to showcase the films to their families, staff, other pupils and school governors.
The Portland Race, by eight and nine-year-olds at Underhill Junior School tells of a fisherman and his son and their moonlit adventure in search of squid off Chesil cove.
Kate Watson, a Year 5 teacher at Underhill Junior School on Portland, said: “It is a short animated film about a boy and his dad who can’t fish as usual as Portland Harbour is full of Olympic sailing boots.
“They fish for quiddle, the Portland word for squid, elsewhere and have an exciting adventure along the way.
“They were also given permission to use a fishing song written by a local Portland man.”
The Helpful Dead, by nine and ten-year-olds at Wyke Regis Junior School – loosely based on the sinking of the Royal Adelaide – is the story of a grieving mother, a drowning boy and an Olympic sailor in trouble.
Year 5 teacher Hannah Lynch, said: “The children came up with the story, they are all really cheering on Team GB and are so excited to see their film on the big screens.
“Our film premier had an ‘under-the-sea’ theme and the children decorated the hall with lobster pots.”
The Big Splash, by nine and ten-year-olds at St John’s Primary School tells of a stolen Olympic torch, a naughty seagull and four best friends determined not to give up.
The films are one of the projects awarded the London 2012 Inspire mark – recognising exceptional and innovative, Games-inspired projects.
Find out more about the Maritime Mix at maritimemix2012.com
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