David Bunting Animaton
Bricknell Primary School - case study
Bricknell Primary School is a large primary school home to over 600 pupils, serving a culturally diverse community close to the University of Hull.
I've worked in lots of schools, but the one that inspires them all is Bricknell in Hull! The school’s ethos of using animation as an educational tool for learning, and the commitment and recognition of the value of that art is unparalleled. The collaboration has resulted in a series of internationally celebrated films and a total of 15 awards over 10 years that has put Bricknell Primary School in Hull on the animation map. “I wish I went to Ecuador” (2011), was screened at the worlds largest Environmental Film Festivals, the U.N. climate change summit, won the support, praise of Al Gore and a Hollywood award. When I talk about the power of children's voice, empowerment and innovative creative excellence and risk taking that make a lasting impact on school children - this is what I'm talking about!
A Trawl Through Time (2017)
BEST FILM – UNDER 15, Cimemagic Belfast, 2017
Pete Burgis - Foley Artist – Best known for Paddington 2, Tomb Raider, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Wonder Woman
"Wow! What an amazing experience! Beautifully made animation. A very well told history lesson well worth watching."
Matt Gallagher – Founder of The Call Sheet
"Wonderfully inventive. Excellent use of materials, mixed media, sound; this film had a distinctive, original feel. Educational, informative and fun."
Lilly and her friends go on an amazing time travelling journey into Hulls past. Inspired by the true story of Lilly's Granddad’s nautical adventures, they find themselves on a sea faring adventure aboard the Arctic Corsair, meet historical figures and find themselves caught up in key moments of Hull’s history.
The film was made thanks to a unique educational commission from Hull 2017 City of Culture. Filmmakers, historians and people from the local community worked with the children to bring local history to life through filmmaking. Animator & story artist David Bunting (Bob the Builder, Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed) led a team of artists who together with Bricknell Schools Sarah Newton, mentored pupils at Bricknell Primary School to produce a short animated film, focusing on the history of the city and its most celebrated historical figures. Pupils wrote and animated the story and led every creative process.
My Bricknell (2013)
A child's view of life at primary school, from the first day to the last. Featuring interviews across each school year, the film uses stop motion imagery and flipbooks to illustrate the children's' individual journeys.
2013 Bradford Animation Festival Young Animators Award winner
“The clever balance between the children’s voices and mixed media creates a moving and personal portrait of this school.”
The BAF jury
“We are so proud to have received this award. It is a real credit to the hard work of our talented pupils and staff. This film is really special to us as the entire project was led by the interviews and comments from our children and the lovely things they have to say about our school."
Head teacher, Tim Attwater
I wish I went to Ecuador (2011)
“A terrific commentary on climate change and its devastating impacts upon our planet”
Best Foreign Animation by Children, IFFF Hollywood, BAF Young Animators Award 2012, Bradford Animation Festival, UK 2011. 2 Grand Prizes for Best Overall Film, Kids for Kids UK Film Festival 2011
An immersive, animated documentary taking you into the heart of the Ecuadorian rainforest. A child's eye view of a life changing expedition by their teacher, Mrs Jones and their joint mission to preserve these vital forests. Pupils at Bricknell Primary School collaborated with animator David Bunting and local campaigning organisation, One Hull on Rainforest to create an animated campaign film about the Ecuadorian rainforest.
“We were so impressed by the epic cinematic quality of this film, not only with its glorious colours, but with its inventive technique. On top of this was a very powerful and moving message presented with such charm and infectious energy.”
BAF jury
There were several contributing factors that made this film stand out from the rest in its category. The level of detail in the set design and the clever use of materials created a fantastic landscape with lots of depth. This combined with the imaginative use of the camera to really get down into the world made the viewing of the film feel like a really immersive experience. Most importantly the overall environmental message was handled very intelligently without it feeling like you were being lectured to, more like you were part of a discussion.”
Kids for Kids UK Professional Jury
“…for sharing a very personal message through excellent animation and a wonderful use of narration.”
Kids for Kids UK Youth Jury
OTHER ANIMATIONS
The Lion at Home (2008) was inspired by a visit to Fernes Art Gallary and rare earthquake in the city!
Our second animation collaboration, Up, Up and Away (2007) married the schools pioneering use of animation with it's commitment to foreign language teaching.