Digital Stories is a new creative project led by two Lancashire based arts organisations, theatre company imitating the dog and The National Festival of Making.
The project was an opportunity for recent arts graduates to collaborate with experienced storyteller Emily Hennessey and digital artist Virpi Kettu to develop their digital skills and turn their stories into brand new web-based work.
The participants, Ian Mathison, Juvairiyya Patel, Christian Bell and his daughter, Evelynn, explored their own personal stories, rooted in their connections to Blackburn and Darwen. Working with Emily and Virpi, they each developed their own, unique narratives and storyboarded their ideas, before working with video, stop-motion animation and animation of still photography with 3D effects to create their short films, which are now available to view below.
Each piece, in its own, personal way, offers individual perspectives on people, place and art in the heart of communities. Sparked by the participants’ stories, encouraged and developed with the mentoring of Emily and Virpi, the films are available to watch, enjoy and take inspiration from.
Digital Stories was made possible with funding from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Arts Council England and the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.