Train of Thought - Screening Shorts

An abstract interplay between music and form where shapes and colours literally dance to the rhythm. There is no dialogue, nor a narrative of any kind. The raw, primal style of drawing lends itself to the freeform vivid quality.

Clip Details

Genre: Abstract, Animation

Country of Origin: UK

Clip Length: 03:00

Age Group: S1-S3

Classroom Activities

01 Critical

Is there a story to 'Train of Thought'?
Is there a setting in this film?
What are the different colours of the shapes and patterns?
How many different shapes and patterns can you see in Train of Thought?
Do particular shapes/patterns play a bigger or smaller part in the film?
Are these particular shapes/patterns linked to parts of the music?
Can you describe the movements of the shapes/patterns?
Why does one particular shape or pattern happen after the other?
Watch 'Train of Thought', asking children to think about how the different shapes move and change in the film. Ask them to describe what they notice after the screening.
Watch the film again. This time, divide the class into groups, and ask each group to focus on ‘the journey’ made by different shapes: triangle, square, circle, rectangle. Allow time for each group to talk briefly about what happens to their shape in the film.

02 Cultural

Maths and art or music do not usually sit together in people’s minds – one is seen as a logic subject, the other as an expressive one. Do you think this is correct? What other “opposite” subjects could be combined in an interesting way?
Maths has historically been thought of as a subject for boys, while art and music were for girls. Do you agree with this? Why do you think people believe this? What problems can this cause?
Can you think of any other films that have strange abstract moments like this?
What do you think of abstract art: is it “real art”?

03 Creative

Clip Details

Genre: Abstract, Animation

Country of Origin: UK

Clip Length: 03:00

Education Level: Third & Fourth Level