'Past/Present' is a heritage project that uses archive film and cutting-edge technology to create a virtual world for young people.
07 Mar 2011
'Past/Present' is an inter-generational heritage project that uses archive film, in tandem with cutting-edge technology, to create an interactive virtual world for young people. Lighthouse is developing this innovative activity throughout 2011.
The project uses Films from the Home Front as a starting point for students from Longhill High School, Brighton to work with older people. Combining experiences documented in the footage with material gathered by students, a multi-player computer game is being developed, where students can encounter characters and histories from the Second World War Home Front.
Education sessions at Longhill High School are taking place February - June 2011. Students will be visiting the Mass Observation Archive and Brighton Museum, then seeing films from Screen Archive South East (University of Brighton) and learning about researching archive material. Manchester-based designers Corporation Pop are creating 3D models and streets for the game.
Films selected and contextualised by the students will also be used by leading international artist Julian Oliver to create an augmented reality project. By holding up a mobile phone at specific spots in Brighton, the public will see historic views of the city, along with related information about everyday life during World War II.
The project is supported by the Screen South Digital Film Archive Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
