Mischief Makers

 

Stobhill - 2008 

Patients with mental ill health

Participants are given the opportunity to engage in a clay animation workshop. This includes sculpting characters, story developing, script writing, filming the animation and sound recording. The footage was edited and a final screening with snacks and drinks was held at the MacKinnon house. Family, friends and other patients were invited to celebrate the success.

When we came to filming the animation the group picked up the technique really quickly. Often it will take a couple of sessions before everyone has a good grasp of how animation works. Over the course of the filming sessions the group really took command of the process, communication is a vital part of filming, the person on camera has to tell the animators when they are taking a picture and when it is safe to begin moving the characters again they also have to give information about what the camera is seeing. Although the participants remained shy, the structure and specific language of filming allow for a beginning in confident communication, as the weeks went on the conversation within the group, particularly at the tea breaks, began to increase. On the day of vocal recording the participants were indeed confident and were relaxed enough to share in laughing at each others' funny voices and giving each other lots of encouragement and applause after each recording.

“All the participants are now keen to embrace new ideas and suggestions and I believe are already missing their sessions with Theatre Nemo. On a positive note it has encouraged staff to think outside of the box with regard to developing the program of activities within the art room.”

“Theatre Nemo has a positive impact on patients with mental health issues, it assists them in their recovery.”

“I only hope that the New Year brings further sessions from Theatre Nemo to the Lifeskills unit.”

“Once again, Theatre Nemo have provided a wonderful, productive and thoroughly worthwhile project. I think the relaxed nature of the workshop facilitators added to the enjoyment. The department was buzzing for days afterwards!"

A short animation created with a group of patients in Stobhill Hospital