Animal Alphabet

From the collection of

Archif Sgrin a Sain Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive

Established in 2001, the National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive holds an unrivalled collection of films, TV and radio broadcasts, video tapes and sound recordings relating to Wales and the Welsh, from 1898 to the present day. The collection spans multiples formats and genres, both professional and amateur.

Animal Alphabet

Archif Sgrin a Sain Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive
1967-01-01
Sound
4m

Awesome, Beguiling and Creative: a simple but stunningly imaginative English alphabet drawn by a stalwart member of Cardiff's cine club.

Awesome, Beguiling, Creative, Delightful and Engaging: an imaginative, animated English alphabet, drawn by hand and including an interesting hippotamus and a naked cat. Created by Ian Malcolm, a stalwart member of Cardiff Amateur Cine Society, it was entered in the first amateur film festival in Wales, organised by CACS, which took place in 1969 and was sponsored by Penarth Urban Council. Not surprisingly, 'Animal Alphabet' won two awards.

See other animations by Ian Malcolm - 'A Change in the Weather', 'Legend of the Red Dragon', 'ABZ on Sport?' and 'A Child's Guide to Catching an Elephant Kit'.

DIY Animation

Amateur animation auteurs bring their homegrown creations to life

The requirements for making an animated film are pretty low. With a camera that shoots in single frames and an idea in your back pocket, you're well on your way. This collection showcases an assortment of dining table Disneys, who combine homebrewed talent with the all-important dedication and patience required to bring a story to life one frame at a time. Not that this was necessarily a solitary pursuit. From the 1950s onwards networks of amateur animators like The Grasshopper Group collaborated on filmmaking and distribution, and animated shorts were often a highlight of the amateur filmmaking scene.