cinerama

Cinerama - World First

An animated conservation film made by Hull children is set to make history during its world premiere on Europe’s only Cinerama screen on Saturday, July 2nd 2011

“I wish I went to Ecuador” tells the true story of a life changing expedition by a primary school teacher, Mrs Jones, to the Andes, the Cloud Forest and the Rain Forest. Her story enthralled her pupils so much, they decided to make an animated film to help create awareness of rainforest conservation around the world.

Filmed in Cinemascope, over 600 children worked on the film in collaboration with animator and filmmaker David Bunting. It is believed to be the first film made by children to be presented in the new industry standard high definition Digital Cinema Format and surround sound. Audiences in and around Bradford can see the incredible result when it premieres on Europe’s only Cinerama screen, Pictureville Cinema at the National Media Museum on Saturday 2nd July at 12.30pm. The film plays alongside “This is Cinerama”, the first 3-strip film ever made. In showing their support to One Hull of a Rainforest, the museum is granting free entry to children to see the film.

One Hull of a Rainforest is a project started by a group of primary school teachers, including Victoria Toothill Jones, with the vision of inspiring the children of Hull through a sustainable curriculum and direct action. The project aims to raise approximately £250,000 to enable One Hull of a Rainforest to purchase and protect 100 hectares of land which lie adjacent to the Maquipucuna reserve.

By creating their film in Cinemascope, the young filmmakers hope to show the scale and beauty of the rainforest. Animator David Bunting said, “The sights and sounds Victoria mentioned seemed beyond a TV experience. I am a huge fan of big screen cinema and you don’t get any bigger or influential than Cinerama, the grandfather of Widescreen cinema. I asked Tom Vincent, the National Media Museum’s film programmer, if he would ever consider showing a film made by children alongside “This is Cinerama”. Tom’s response and that of his whole team have been so generous and supportive and have allowed us to allow children to experiment with state of the art filmmaking technology.”

The film has attracted support from Kudlian Software and AT Computers who provided state of the art computer technology to make the film. Dave Aston from the Digital Audio Company, who is known for Sound Design for ITV classic dramas “A Touch of Frost” and “Wire in the Blood”, worked with children in Hull to mix their film in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound.

The pupils will see their final film for the first time at the premiere.

The film has attracted support from Kudlian Software and AT Computers who provided state of the art computer technology to make the film. Dave Aston from the Digital Audio Company, who is known for Sound Design for ITV classic dramas “A Touch of Frost” and “Wire in the Blood”, worked with children in Hull to mix their film in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound.

James Betts, managing director of Kudlian, spoke about their decision to back the project: “Supporting ‘One Hull of a Rainforest’ and providing the tools for this film really was an easy decision to make. The children have produced a wonderful animated film on a subject close to their hearts and their passion for the subject comes across in every frame. They should be incredibly proud of what they have accomplished!”

Watch the making of “ I wish I went to Ecuador

Watch the film