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Terrafarmer

Will Adams, 2008

On an unknown planet, a space farmer is working with his robot partner to move equipment around, but there is obvious friction between them about their different priorities. When the farmer makes an interesting discovery, will that clash of priorities push them into conflict with each other, and what impact will the conflict have?

Clip Details

Genre: Animation, Comedy

Country of Origin: UK

Themes: Communication, Culture/Society, Feelings, Food/Environment, Relationships, Work/Ambition

Clip Length: 01:30

Age Group: P1-P4

Classroom Activities

  • Before watching the film, listen to the film without visuals. Pupils write or draw what they think is happening on a piece of paper. Share with a partner/class.
  • Before watching the film, ask the pupils to focus on two of these questions while watching the film: Where is it set? What clues do we have about the mission of the main characters? Why is there only one plant? Why did the man value the plant so much? Why did the robot not value the plant? Why did the robot see it as a threat? Why is the film called 'Terrafarmer'?
  • What type of shot did we see right at the start of the film? Why do you think the director used this type of shot? What information does it give us as a reader?
  • Working in pairs, one partner should take a note of all the different shots used for the farmer, and the other partner should take a note of all the shots used where the robot is the focus. Are there differences in the type of shot used? Why do you they think this is? What does it tell us about the character of the farmer or the robot?
  • Ask pupils to name the main colours they see when watching the film. They should write these down with detailed descriptions ie. Not “red” or “orange”, but “dusty orange” or “pale red”. Why do they think these colours are used? What do they tell the audience?

Consider the role of the Foley Artist in film making. Pupils should design their own soundtrack for the film. This should include some music) and sound effects (using instruments, voices, other objects). This should then be replicated whilst playing the film muted.

Clip Details

Genre: Animation, Comedy

Country of Origin: UK

Themes: Communication, Culture/Society, Feelings, Food/Environment, Relationships, Work/Ambition

Clip Length: 01:30

Education Level: First Level