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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.
It's all done with mirrors! Glynn Williams explores the properties of reflection in this amusing animation featuring a toy train set.
It's all done with mirrors! An animation using glass and a toy train set to amusing effect. It was created by Glynn Williams, who was born in Shrewsbury in 1939, attended Wolverhampton College of Art and became Professor of Sculpture and Head of the School of Fine Art at the Royal College of Art. His is the statue of Lloyd George which stands in Parliament Square, London. Another of his works - 'The Shout - is located in Margam Country Park, near Port Talbot.
This film, made with the support of the Welsh Arts Council, was shown at the ICA [Institute of Contemporary Arts] Cinema during the Summer Studio project in 1973 and at the 'Illusion' exhibition at Sterling University in March of the same year. Glynn Williams has had many sculptures exhibited in Margam Park and two remain there, one being 'The Shout' (1982), which is a depiction of a desperate kneeling mother holding the body of her dead child. The strength of this sculpture - the feeling it conveys - are evidenced by the fact that it was moved to a secluded location in the park as visitors found it too disturbing in a more prominent position.
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.
