YAAC's First Residential Weekend Away

YAAC (Young Arnolfini Artist Collective) recently spent a few days away on their first first residential weekend.

We attended a two day workshop in Devon, staying in some adorable cottages. The company we stayed with is called FORKBEARD FANTASY who are a mix media comic, film, animation performance company. 

Saturday morning we were greeted by two men Ed and Chris, who led us into a huge warehouse. Immediately when we stepped inside we all went silent and were mesmerized by the sheer size of the place and all the equipment and props. There was so much to look at, and you got the impression that everything had a story of its own.

We later met Tim and Penny. All four members of Forkbeard Fantasy were so enthusiastic and theatrical about what they were doing. It was really inspiring. We started by experimenting with using film to record ourselves, acting something and then interacting with ourselves on a screen after it had been recorded. It's hard to imagine but the outcome is really effective and quite entertaining.

We also were shown various animation and film techniques, which we developed ourselves on Sunday. This included using old scraps of film rolls to scratch and manipulate to create really beautiful films. We created various animations with sand, paper, props; anything you could find really. Some of us were shown how to create masks using latex and various other materials... there was so much to do and it was a really brilliant course.

Some of these films and animations we hope to use in an exhibition so watch this space...The staff were incredible and the weekend was a grand success. Huge thanks to everyone who made in happen. It was just fabulous and I definitely recommend it!
Rebecca Prior, THE YAAC

YAAC (Young Arnolfini Artist Collective) is a group of ten young artists aged 17 and above, based at the North Bristol Post 16 Centre (Cotham site).