Introducing Pupils to the Art of Animation – Film Screening and Cut-Out Animation Workshop at Ludwigsgymnasium Straubing

To kick off a two-day animation experience at Ludwigsgymnasium Straubing, I presented a special edition of my Animation Show on July 5, 2022. Held at the Citydom Cinema, this event introduced 130 pupils from grades 9 and 10 to the art of animated filmmaking through a curated screening of five short films.

This interactive animation showcase also included a Q&A session, where students asked thoughtful questions about my career, storytelling techniques, and how animated films are created. The event served as a creative and motivating introduction to the hands-on animation workshop that followed the next day. Teachers later reported that the screening sparked ongoing conversations and curiosity among the pupils—clear proof of the program’s educational impact.

The next day, I conducted a cut-out animation workshop with 16 pupils from the school’s Enrichment Group—a program for highly motivated and talented pupils. In preparation, the pupils had already developed initial story ideas, short scripts, and rough storyboards, which I reviewed and commented on remotely from Kassel.

During the workshop—held in the school’s Thomas Stellmach Room—we refined the concepts together, selected the strongest idea, and launched into full production. Pupils divided into dedicated teams for direction, design, animation, sound, and technical setup. One student even used his experience from working with professional lighting to support the animation table setup.

On Sunday morning, July 10, 2022, the short film CHANGE had its premiere during my Animation Film Show Matinée at Citydom Cinema. After being introduced by Straubing’s mayor, I presented nine of my own animated films in a film programme, sharing background stories and answering audience questions.

At the midpoint of the program, the student-produced film was screened to an enthusiastic audience. The young filmmakers stood up to receive well-deserved applause. Their work had gone from idea to public screening in just two days—a remarkable achievement for first-time animators.

The combination of film screening and practical experience not only gave the pupils an understanding of the art of animated film – they also experienced how important teamwork, personal initiative and creative problem-solving are in an artistic process.

An important side effect of the workshop was discovering each other’s hidden talents: one participant shared his ambition to become a film composer, while another already had experience making stop-motion films. One teacher, who was helping with a lighting problem, told us that he used to work for an LED company. These connections and recognitions enriched the experience beyond the filmmaking process itself.

The Story Behind ‘CHANGE’

The film tells the story of a red bal-loon that sets off in search of a friend. In the process, he transforms himself again and again – but only when he remains true to himself is he recog-nised and found. A poetic tale about identity, adaptation and encounters.

This two-day educational animation event at Ludwigsgymnasium Straubing would not have been possible without generous financial and organizational support. I am especially grateful that the event series could take place despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

My heartfelt thanks go to:

• the Parents’ Council of Ludwigsgymnasium,
• Sparkasse Niederbayern-Mitte,
• Volksbank Straubing (mediated by the Office for Culture and Education of the City of Straubing),
• Bayernwerk AG,
• Citydom Cinema Straubing,
• and the Straubinger Tagblatt.

• Read how the Ludwigsgymnasium or the local press Straubinger Tagblatt reported about the project
• Discover my films or my Animated-Film-Show
• Read more about my cut-out- or animation workshops
• In my blog, I provide insights into my past events.
• See a list of my past events
• Can’t wait to see my films? Go to my shop

Animation Show

Photos from the workshop

Premiere of ‘CHANGE’

Workshop result: Film CHANGE