{"id":21321,"date":"2025-06-08T14:00:04","date_gmt":"2025-06-08T12:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stellmach.com\/?p=21321"},"modified":"2025-08-01T18:12:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T16:12:13","slug":"cut-out-animation-workshop-ludwigsgymnasium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stellmach.com\/en\/blog-animation-workshops\/cut-out-animation-workshop-ludwigsgymnasium\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing Pupils to the Art of Animation \u2013 Film Screening and Cut-Out Animation Workshop at Ludwigsgymnasium Straubing"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1648732309488{border-top-width: 0px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Inspiring Cinema Experience: Animation Showcase and Q&A at Citydom Straubing” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1750369803348{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1648732309488{border-top-width: 0px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_hidden-xs”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1749384675232{margin-bottom: 8px !important;}”]To kick off a two-day animation experience at Ludwigsgymnasium Straubing, I presented a special edition of my Animation Show<\/strong> on July 5, 2022. Held at the Citydom Cinema<\/strong>, this event introduced 130 pupils from grades 9 and 10 to the art of animated filmmaking through a curated screening of five short films.<\/p>\n

This interactive animation showcase<\/strong> 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<\/strong> to the hands-on animation workshop<\/strong> that followed the next day. Teachers later reported that the screening sparked ongoing conversations and curiosity among the pupils\u2014clear proof of the program\u2019s educational impact.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Hands-On Learning: Cutout Animation Workshop with Enrichment Group” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1750369808852{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1750702681378{margin-bottom: 8px !important;}”]The next day, I conducted a cut-out animation workshop<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0with 16 pupils from the school\u2019s Enrichment Group<\/strong>\u2014a 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.<\/p>\n

During the workshop\u2014held in the school\u2019s Thomas Stellmach Room<\/a><\/strong>\u2014we 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.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Premiere at Citydom Cinema: Workshop Film Goes Public” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1750369814702{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1750702746866{margin-bottom: 8px !important;}”]On Sunday morning, July 10, 2022, the short film CHANGE<\/strong> had its premiere during my Animation Film Show<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0Matin\u00e9e<\/strong> at Citydom Cinema. After being introduced by Straubing\u2019s mayor, I presented nine of my own animated films in a film programme<\/a><\/strong>, sharing background stories and answering audience questions.<\/p>\n

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\u2014a remarkable achievement for first-time animators.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”A Meaningful Creative Experience for Pupils” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1750369821035{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1749393322050{margin-bottom: 8px !important;}”]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<\/strong>, personal initiative<\/strong> and creative problem-solving<\/strong> are in an artistic process.<\/p>\n

An important side effect of the workshop was discovering each other\u2019s 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.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Workshop Result: The Short Film ‘CHANGE'” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1750369827884{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1749393723104{margin-bottom: 8px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

The Story Behind ‘CHANGE’<\/h3>\n

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<\/strong>, adaptation<\/strong>\u00a0and encounters<\/strong>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Following Supporters Made the Educational Animation Project Possible” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1750369833588{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1750501381714{margin-bottom: 8px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

My heartfelt thanks go to:<\/p>\n