Nerve Centre Learning Resources
Film & Animation
The
Nerve Centre has created a number of educational CD-Roms that draw together
colourful graphics, photographs, animation, video, audio and music into
a stimulating learning experience. The Centre has also produced a number
of short films and animations
and educational support material. All of these resources are available
for use by educationalists.
The Symbols Interactive Experience is a series of educational resources
exploring major symbols of cultural identity in Northern Ireland today.
These interactive resources look at the history and continuing significance
of major events, highlighting common themes, They combine text, photographs,
images and illustrations with film archive, period music, video and audio.
Contributors include historians, politicians, journalists, community workers,
poets, writers, public servants and school pupils.
1916 - Lest We Forget
CD-Rom
explores the symbolism of the Battle of the Somme and the Easter Rising,
events which shaped the history of twentieth century Ireland. The memory
of the Battle of the Somme and the Easter Rising lives on today in the
annual rituals of remembrance; in flags, banners, memorials and wall murals;
and within symbols such as the Poppy and Easter Lily.
1798: Myth and Memory
CD-Rom
explores the symbolism of the 1798 Rebellion and examines the culture
and ideals of the United Irish movement. This CD-Rom offers an interactive
experience of the enduring legacy of the United Irishmen - in music, film,
monuments, murals and art. Beginning with the first nationalist histories
of the rebellion, 1798: Myth and Memory traces the journey of the United
Irishmen from secular revolutionaries to nationalist martyrs, venerated
by Church and State. The bi-centenary celebrations of 1998 saw a new vision
emerge, with the 1790’s rediscovered as a decade of Ulster Presbyterian
radicalism. For the first time in two centuries northern unionists commemorated
the rebellion in significant numbers.
1690: A Culture On Parade
is
a DVD exploring the culture and identity of the Loyal Orders. The Orange
Order, the Royal Black Institution and the Apprentice Boys of Derry have
over 50,000 members in Northern Ireland and have a strong historical,
religious, cultural and political role. Through a series of interviews
with leading members of the Orders, rank and file members, politicians,
commentators and Human Rights activists. 1690: A Culture On Parade offers
an insight into the role and function of the Orders within their own community
and examines various perceptions of them in wider society. The DVD structure
allows almost two hours of information to be accessed and navigated in
a series of short, focused films examining a range of issues.
The
Virtual Museum of Colm Cille
Colm Cille or Columba was the sixth century founder of the famous monastery
of Iona in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. The federation of monasteries
initiated by Colm Cille was responsible for a flowering of creativity
and craftmanship which has left us with magnificent works of art such
as the Book of Kells and the Lindisfarne Gospels. The
Virtual Museum of Colm Cille contains examples of illuminated manuscripts,
stone crosses and treasure objects created within the Columban monasteries
between the sixth and the eighth centuries AD. Each object is displayed
in a series of exhibition rooms or galleries dedicated to the particular
art form.
The NI Digital Film Archive
contains
over 55 hours of newsreels, documentaries and archive footage of daily
life in Northern Ireland over the past century. Highlights include the
Titanic, both World Wars, the civil conflict in Ireland between 1916 and
1923, social and political documentaries on Northern Ireland in the 1970’s
and 1980’s and classic clips showing sporting events and leisure
activities. The DFA can be accessed at the Nerve Centre, Derry.
Dance,
Lexie, Dance
is
a charming short film which tells the story of Laura, a young girl who
wants to be a riverdance. Although this is a simple enough wish, things
are slightly complicated by the fact that Laura comes from a Protestant
background, where, as her father Lexie puts it: “We don’t
dance”. She insists, saying that her mother would have let her (her
mother has died). The film deals with how a father copes with raising
a child on his own and the cultural differences between the two main communities
here.
Cultural Diversity In The Digital Age
Animating Columba
is
an educational CD-Rom for primary schools covering a range of curriculum
core skills including literacy, ICT and creativity. This interactive resource
uses different styles of animation to explore the legends of the famous
Irish saint and scholar. Pupils can gain a real insight into the artistic
life of Irish monasteries through a range of creative activities including
colouring in illuminated manuscripts, creating a musical Celtic cross
and editing extracts from an illuminated film on the life of Columba.
The Cu Chulainn Animated Series
consists
of six, five-minute episodes charting the myths surrounding this Celtic
character. Funded by the Community Relations Council, the series explores
the life and times of Cu Chulainn from when he was born, to how he got
his famous name, and of course the story of the Cattle Raid of Cooley.
The
King's Wake
is
a 30 minute animated film featuring the voices of leading local actors,
Stephen Rea and Ian McElhinney. The Film received the award for Best Animation
at the 2001 Celtic Film and Television Festival. The King’s Wake
takes as its inspiration Shakespeare’s tragic kings, Macbeth and
King Lear. Shakespeare’s eternal themes of ambition, revenge and
retribution are explored through the eyes of King Conor MacNessa, leader
of the Red Branch Knights of Ulster. This challenging and though-provoking
film explores the tragic consequences of heroism and sacrifice in an Ireland
of myth and legend and draws its influences from the horror film, the
ghost story and murder-mystery genre.
Flipsides
takes
an irreverent look at cultural stereotypes in ‘Norn Iron’.
Commissioned by the BBC and the Community Relations Council, this has
been used successfully with older teenager groups as a starting point
to projects dealing with stereotypes and their implications upon the notion
of citizenship. The series deals with the issues of marching, flags, murals
and the figure of Cu Chulainn, an icon for both Loyalist and Republican
paramilitaries.
Workshops using these resources and others can be tailored to fit the needs of your group. Theses resources can also be used to train trainers enabling them to use these materials in any situation. When booking a workshop, it can be delivered here at the Nerve Centre or at your base. All our projection facilities are portable, enabling us to continue with our commitment to outreach work. To find out more information about our resources or to book a workshop email: sarika@nerve-centre.org.uk