INSPIRE-WORKS IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE INSPIRE-WORKS STUDIOS
A GLOBAL FILM PRODUCER OF VIDEOS ON DEMAND
Inspire-Works Studios specialises in developing and producing online docu-workshops, celebrating the diversity of the arts from many cultures across the globe.
Launching in September 2021 with four docu-workshops, each film focuses on a different genre of music. They are each led by a musician who is a specialist in the culture demonstrating how to play the musical instruments and sharing the importance of the music within the traditions of the society. Accompanied by beautiful scenic shots, the material comprises of layers of musical complexity, making the films appropriate for children from 5 to 18 years old, who can join in with the music-making on whatever instruments they have available.
These Videos On Demand, designed for whole-class school use, are supported by differentiated lesson plan downloads, assessment templates and guidance on how to use these resources with Arts Award Discover and Arts Award Bronze qualifications.
“During the Covid-19 lockdowns when our facilitators were not able to visit schools, we became aware of the benefits of video tuition for sharing about the diverse cultures our facilitators come from. We are excited to launch Inspire-Works Studios which will greatly help children learn about other ways of life by seeing the music performed in the home cultures, appreciating the traditional heritages, and joining in with the workshop aspects of each film.”
The first four docu-workshop films being released in September 2021 are:
WEST AFRICAN DJEMBE DRUMMING
with Mohamed Gueye, a Griot from Senegal
In this film Mohamed teaches how to play the djembe and dunun drums, describing why and when the music is played in this rich heritage, and guides the viewer through scenic shots of Senegal’s capital city, Dakar, Mohamed’s home town.
INDONESIAN GAMELAN
with Tjokorda Raka Suastika, a prince in the Ubud Royal Family in Bali, Indonesia
Tjokorda Raka is a master musical director in Bali and has founded several award-winning gamelan groups for adults and children. In this beautiful film with panoramic shots of Balinese rice terraces, beaches, and volcanoes, Tjokorda Raka demonstrates how to play each instrument found in a Balinese gamelan orchestra and shares how important music and dance are to the unique Balinese way of life and culture.
SOUTH AFRICAN GUMBOOT DANCE
with Lucky Moyo from Soweto, South Africa
In this film Lucky teaches from his vast experience as a gumboot dancer and singer as a founding member of Black Umfolosi who have performed to Nelson Mandela. Surrounded by shots of Soweto, he shares the background to South African gumboot dance and why this is a culturally important artform.
BRAZILIAN SAMBA DRUMMING
with Raul d’Oliveira
As a multi-instrumentalist Raul’s musical experience is outstanding having performed with samba schools in Rio de Janeiro, on all international tours with Wham and Elton John and appearing regularly on MTV. In this film Raul demonstrates classic Rio-style samba patterns for all the instruments commonly found in the Rio samba school performances at the Rio Carnival.