Screen dreams

Introduction

Cinema-going and films are the stimulus for this intergenerational reminiscence project. It focuses on valuing the past, creating new memories, sharing old ones and bringing youth and experience together.

This pack, aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils, is based around the bfi's Screen Dreams Reminiscence project. Work around the project can be related to areas of the National Curriculum, particularly in English and History, including Britain Since 1930 and Local History study.

Screen Dreams offers opportunities for expressive and creative work in the classroom as well as a unique set of interactive experiences for teachers and children, working with older people in the context of the reminiscence itself.

Screen Dreams encourages the exploration of film, not only as an art form in its own right, but as an historically important form of entertainment, part of our cultural heritage and an ever present, ever growing and changing industry which young and old alike can experience and have opinions about.

The silver screen, its stars and the movie industry have always prompted reactions in audiences, some favourable, some not. Most people have a favourite film, genre, film star or memorable movie moment. These all act as triggers for memories, which can be shared and enjoyed.

Screen dreams and bfi Education

The idea behind the Screen Dreams intergenerational project is to bring together older volunteers in the local community and younger people in schools, to explore memories triggered by films and talking about the cinema going experience.

The Screen Dreams project will enable children to compare their own experiences to those of older family members or volunteers from the same local area.