Pupils in puppet piracy production

Film producers are working with Longcroft School on a short film to raise awareness of internet piracy.

Award-winning production company My Pockets, which works in TV and films, is making the 40-second animated film to be shown in cinemas and online.

It will use pupils' voices, together with puppets produced in a series of workshops at the secondary school.

Nick West, a teacher at Longcroft School, said: "My Pockets has been commissioned by the film industry to produce a short film to raise awareness of internet piracy.

"They contacted a number of schools in the area. They were looking to use children with northern accents for the film. You find students with accents tend to be more effective, and northern accents are particularly good, depending on the context.

"We have some great students, who have the distinctive sort of accent they were looking for."

The film uses a clever script to get its point across, according to Nick.

"It is not done in a finger-pointing way," he said. "It uses puppet characters to raise awareness.

"Pupils have been involved in four sessions, including writing dialogue, audio recording, making puppets, scenery and props. Twenty-five pupils came forward for the project, which has been a fantastic experience for them.

"They are finding out what it is like to make a real film. Projects like this, with a real company on a real project, are really engaging for them. It might spark something for them to do in the industry later. It's a fantastic opportunity."

Thirteen year-old pupil Jack Hook said: "I volunteered because I thought it would be a good experience. I would like to be an actor. It has inspired me."

Lewis McIntyre, 14, added: "It has been fun. I've really enjoyed it. It's interesting to see what happens in making a film."

Puppet maker Marc Parrett, who was the puppet designer for BBC3's Fuzzbox, created by My Pockets, worked with pupils on the film.

"It is quite complex making puppets for film, as there's a lot of detail to get to grips with, and it takes a lot of time," he said. "The pupils are so hungry to learn and make things. They are picking things up really fast. It has been brilliant."