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Train of Thought

Jonathan Hodgson, 1985

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

  • 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.
  • 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”?

Clip Details

Genre: Abstract, Animation

Country of Origin: UK

Clip Length: 03:00

Education Level: Third & Fourth Level