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I Am Tom Moody

Ainslie Henderson, 2012

An amateur - and nervous - musician takes to the stage on open mic night at the Egg and Sparrow pub. A fevered debate rages between the two conflicted voices in Tom’s head as he battles his feelings of apprehension and self-doubt while he remembers the events that triggered these feelings of unease and starts to unravel in front of his audience. Tom must decide whether to give in to his fears - or finally address his scared and damaged inner child.

Clip Details

Genre: Drama

Country of Origin: UK

Medium/Content: 3D Animation, Colour, Sound, Fiction

Clip Length: 06:52

Age Group: S4-S6

Classroom Activities

  • How does the filmmaker create empathy between Young Tom and Old Tom? Think about the techniques used.
  • What purpose does the narrator provide for the film?
  • Think about the design of the character Tom (Young and Old), what does their clothes, body language, facial feature explain about the character?
  • Using Freeze Frame and the time stamp (05:01), analyze the use of framing, what mood does the filmmaker try to create? How does reflect how the characters are feeling?
  • How does the music played throughout the film reflect the emotional journey of Tom? Think about the song Tom sings at the end.
  • Tom connects with himself as a child during the film. What do you know now that you would like to tell your younger self?
  • Have you ever had stage-fright? What happened? How did you overcome it? How did you feel afterwards?
  • Can you identify an incident from your life that shaped you in some way – good or bad? How did it shape you?
  • People now know much more about mental health, and it is discussed much more openly. What forms does poor mental health take? What does good mental health look like?
  • What help and/or advice could you give that would be helpful to someone suffering with their mental health?
  • Do you have a secret / hidden / burning desire to do or be something? What would encourage you to follow your dream?
  • “ Our fears are like dragons guarding our most precious treasures” – Rainer Marie Rilke Can you explain this quote in the context of this short film and its message?
  • Create your own stop-motion animation. You can use any materials you can find around the institution you are working in or around the house. Create at least one character and tell a short story involving that character. Research stop-motion techniques (smart-phone, still frames, minimal movements). Be as creative as you can.
  • Research the history of stop-motion animation. How and when did it begin? How does stop-motion animation appear in the industry today?

Clip Details

Genre: Drama

Country of Origin: UK

Medium/Content: 3D Animation, Colour, Sound, Fiction

Clip Length: 06:52

Education Level: Senior Phase