Available Workshops
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Table of Curiosities
Roll up, roll up! Cast your gaze upon the table of curiosities – featuring thaumatropes, flick books, optical illusions, celluloid strips, magic lantern slides, praxinoscopes…… come and let your eyes be fooled!
Learn how to make some of these toys and find out about their role that led the development of cinema.
Skills: History, artistic composition, critical thinking.
Level: Family / KS1 / KS2
Magic Pictures (Photograms)
The Atkins sisters invite you to their atmospheric laboratory as they recall the spooky tale of how they uncovered a means of capturing shadows on paper. This workshop is an introduction to early, basic photo-processing.
Topics: Art, science, literature.
Level: Family / KS1 / KS2
Early Film Studies
From the magic of Georges Méiliès to the early filmic experiments of Thomas Edison and the documentary field work of Mitchell and Kenyon, Mirror Mirror offer a variety of interactive screenings for 5 -11 year olds. Showing early moving image highlights, we help contextualise the visual material and encourage students to imagine the day to day life of those we see in the films.
Topics: History, media literacy, citizenship, literature.
Level: KS1 / KS2
FULL DAY PROGRAMMES
Victorian Cinema Day
Combining parlour games and shadow play with optical toys, photograms and early films, Victorian Cinema Day follows the beginnings of popular entertainment. Featuring the Table of Curiosities and Magic Pictures workshops with the addition of themed games and highly informative Birth of Cinema Treasure Trail. The Victorian Cinema Day is a fast paced and fun introduction to early cinema history.
Slapstick Cinema Day
Looking at the film studios that brought the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd to the silver screen, we ‘check in’ with visual gags, crazy physical comedy and astonishing feats of ingenuity which made Slapstick one of the most popular genres of all time! This workshop incorporates drama games, fun film study, themed trails, atmospheric storytelling in an updated version of Magic Pictures set backstage in Broadway variety theatre circa 1912.
Film Themed Events
Mirror Mirror have a wealth of knowledge of cinema history. Our origins lay in The Smoking Cabinet Festival of Cabaret and Burlesque Cinema and as such we’re experienced at co-ordinating ‘interactive archive’ events i.e screenings with magicians, comedy acts, talks, workshops and live music. We also create bespoke workshops in addition to those listed above.
So if you have an idea to discuss, any questions about or would like to book any of the above please don’t hesitate to contact aymie@mirrormirroreducation.org
