Local Government: A History in Pictures

Norwich
1949
Sound
11m

An illustrated history of the thousand years of local government in Norwich

This enjoyable film uses stylised illustrations - skilfully echoing tapestry, wood carving, and painting - to provide an overview of the development of local government, using the case study of Norwich. From its origins in Saxon times, via the burgesses, aldermen and the first mayors of the city, to the guildhall and city hall of recent years, this film explains the gradual accrual of municipal responsibilities.

As an overview of the development of local government, the film offers imaginative depictions of municipal democracy, and the stylistic changes of the illustrations - from Medieval tapestry to cubist art - underscore the adapting form of local government.

History of the growth of local government narrated by means of a series of hand drawn illustrations. Using Norwich as an example, it describes the development of local government institutions there from Saxon times to the present day.

Animation Goes to Work

For those with an official message to get across, animation is the perfect messenger

Animation has an almost magical ability to charm and captivate. And those same qualities also make it a strikingly effective communication tool. It grabs attention, speaks to all ages, and can distil complex messages into simple and appealing visual metaphors. For government or other august bodies, cartoon antics have often been the perfect jam to sweeten the pill of official communications, whether to explain sweeping change or impart health and safety messages. And for the inventive animator, even the most utilitarian brief is no barrier to the most outlandish of treatments.