cultural animation workshops brochure
TRANSCRIPT
Cultural AnimationWorkshops & Training
with George Siosi Samuels
www.siosism.com
“Times are changing. Stories are being lost, Elders are dying and the young are
looking for more engaging ways to learn. Cultural animation helps bridge this gap,
whether it’s through collaborative workshops or actual production, by
bringing everybody together with one aim… to preserve culture.”
George Siosi Samuels, Director of Siosism
What is Cultural Animation?
Cultural animation was originally coined by Polish cultural theorist, Grzegorz Godlewski, as “identification, activation, and dynamisation of a particular sphere of cultural experience.”
In today’s digital world, we could be forgiven for thinking of it simply as: computer generated animation used to preserve culture and heritage.
However, a richer definition combining the two is more accurate: a state of awakening and/or action within a culture or community, invoked through the use of computer animation based on cultural stories.
What We Do
We create and teach cultural animation to help promote or preserve cultural myths and legends, especially indigenous.
We work in partnership with other consultants, content creators, and organizations, to provide inspiring outcomes for communities such as content production, training and exposure.
We also provide training and advice to communities in the areas of digital media, communication and flow management.
Why We Do It
We are passionate about culture. We believe our world can be transformed by remembering the wisdom of the past, healing old wounds and embracing the best of all cultures. The indigenous of our planet have always remained close to the Source and so provide valuable lessons for the West.
We believe that by understanding your story and heritage, you can create a compelling future.
Our mission is to help animate 1,000 indigenous myths and legends by 2024.
“George delivers excellent results. He is smart, quick and an astute, warm
communicator. When working with us on our community-based digital media project, George easily built rapport, supported
others to engage with new processes and facilitated some inspiring results. His
commitment to supporting Indigenous cultural expression is highly commended.”
Marjo Stroud, Inhaadi Adnyamathanha
Where We Work
We are based in Melbourne, Australia, but are happy to travel anywhere depending on availability, cost and venue capabilities.
If doing an interstate or overseas workshop, our clients typically help us out with airfares and accommodation (not including workshop fees).
We also use online communication tools to work remotely, so location does not affect our capabilities or productivity.
What You Get
We believe we need to re-embrace our indigenous roots, warrior spirits, and determination, to learn new skills that will balance the old and new worlds, preserve the wisdom of the past, and leave a positive legacy for future generations.
In our workshops you will be shown how to:1. EXPLORE cultural stories and extract meaning 2. CREATE an animated short based on a significant cultural story3. LEARN new digital skills that can be applied immediately4. SHARE stories together that help create stronger bonds5. SUPPORT one another using social media and new tools
George & co. will help cover basic animation skills, give focus to participants’ specific questions, and teach tangible strategies to create a film students can be proud of, no matter what stage they are in!
“We had the privilege of employing George to run a claymation project. It was a great success. The structure of the class was very relaxed and the content made easy to have novices learn new skills. The involvement with their stories and creations was great. The interaction
with the elders and the children was priceless. All involved would like to have a “Claymations 2” which
just shows what George can do to make positive change happen. We feel that what he has shared with us is an
investment in not only our Language Survival but in our life’s journey and direction. Thank You Siosi.”
Gillian Bovoro, Inhaadi Adnyamathanha
Workshops
1 Week (5 days)You will get George and/or his team for one week, where students will b taken through an entire claymation production process, resulting in a film of 3 minutes or longer. You will also get help producing DVDs of the film for students to take home.
Weekend Bootcamp (2 days)This will be an accelerated workshop where students will learn the fundamentals of claymation and produce a simple 1-minute film. Movie files will be provided but no DVD copies (unless requested at extra cost).
1 Day (2 hours)This will be a 2-hour introduction to cultural animation. Participants will explore cultural stories together, discuss the significance of those stories, and learn how they can start animating straight from their own homes.
2,500.00
*For international enquiries, please note that the above does not include accommodation, airfare, or additional team expenses. Any added elements will be factored into your final quote.
1,000.00
500.00
Who’s Behind This?
George Siosi Samuels is a cultural animator, entrepreneur and author of the forthcoming book Animated Spirit. He helps breathe life into people, brands and cultures. He typically works with entrepreneurs, communities and organizations experiencing difficulties with motivation, communication or “flow.”
George has a rich and diverse cultural background: he’s Fijian/Indian/Tuvaluan/Samoan, migrated from Fiji to Australia when he was young, and spent most of his formative years attending an American-international school in Bangladesh. Upon return to Australia, he managed to swoop up a Bachelor’s degree in Multimedia Systems and a Master’s in Animation & Interactive Media. He then used his talents to channel his passions through entrepreneurship.
As a result of his work in cultural animation, he’s been featured by Adobe, Toon Boom Animation, ABC Radio, the World Indigenous Network, and the Pacific Voyagers Foundation. In 2012, he was included as one of Australia’s Top 50 “Young & Extraordinary” social entrepreneurs for 2012 as voted by the Foundation for Young Australians. He’s also published a successful animation series called Tales From Nanumea, in an effort to preserve the myths and legends of his maternal homeland, a sinking nation, Tuvalu.
When not on a computer, George takes animation to its roots, which is animare in Latin (‘to breathe life into’), and animates people through consulting, coaching and workshops. He helps clients break through roadblocks, navigate their businesses, understand their roots, explore cultural values, improve communications, harmonize teams and, of course, animate stories.
