In the first part of the day, Catherine will share examples of her work, breaking down how video essays are structured and how they use editing, rhythm and audiovisual material to think through ideas.
Session 2: Practical & Screening
13:30 – 17:30
The second session shifts into practice, with a hands-on introduction to DaVinci Resolve and a guided exercise where participants create a short video essay using a PechaKucha format.
Participants will move between watching, discussing and making, with time to develop a short piece and share it with the group. The session is open, supportive and exploratory, designed for those new to videographic work as well as those looking to deepen their approach. There will be opportunities for discussion, feedback and questions throughout.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own laptop or tablet to the session for the editing part. If you don’t own a laptop, then we will provide one for you.
We will be using DaVinci Resolve for Session 2. Please be prepared with the software in your computer before the session. For any of you not familiar with DaVinci Resolve, we can provide a quick introduction at the beginning of Session 2.
Session 2 will also be focusing on Carnival of Souls, a classic cult thriller from 1962. You can watch and download the film here: https://archive.org/details/CarnivalofSouls
Catherine Grant is an internationally recognised figure in videographic film criticism and formerly Professor of Digital Media and Screen Studies at Birkbeck, University of London. Her work explores how moving image and sound can be used to think through cinema, rather than just illustrating ideas. She has published widely on film style, spectatorship, and audiovisual analysis, and her videographic essays have been featured in Sight & Sound’s Best Video Essays of the year on multiple occasions. Catherine is also the founder of [Film Studies For Free], a widely used resource for film scholarship, and has played a leading role in shaping videographic criticism as a creative and critical practice.
ABOUT LMF
Let’s Make Films (LMF) are a Liverpool based organisation providing opportunities to discover filmmaking through: Workshops, Networking Events, Short Film Showcases, and Production Support.
Explore the fascinating world of trees and woodland ecology through art this Easter holiday
Join our free activities where you can experiment with simple texture rubbing techniques to discover the unique patterns and surfaces of tree bark, leaves and other natural materials. Use your artworks to create your own woodland scenes. From busy insects and birds to leafy canopies and forest floors, we encourage you to celebrate the life that thrives in woodland environments.
Looking to try something new, get creative, and meet like-minded people in a relaxed and welcoming space? Join us at Sudley House for a creative workshop designed to inspire, connect, and help you unwind.
In this hands-on session, you’ll learn the basics of paper making, creating beautiful sheets of unique paper using a technique that’s perfect for beginners and experienced makers alike. Guided by our friendly facilitator, you’ll create your own unique sheets to take home, no experience necessary, just a willingness to have a go!
After the workshop, we’ll head to the café where you’ll enjoy a hot drink on us and time to chat with your fellow participants. Whether you come along with a friend or on your own, this is a lovely way to build creative confidence and social connections in a beautiful, calming setting.
Sudley House, once home to the Holt family, now offers a peaceful space for creativity, surrounded by art, history, and nature. It’s the perfect backdrop for trying something new and meeting people who value creativity, conversation, and community.
This session is ideal for adults of all ages who want to stay creative, meet new people, or simply enjoy a mindful, sociable break from the everyday.
Create. Connect. Unwind.
Come along, make something beautiful, and leave with more than just a new craft piece, make a new connection too.
More than a workshop series. Participants will come away with a deeper understanding of clown, a revitalised spirit and lifelong memories with a new creative network.
Hosted in the scenic surroundings of Bidston Observatry Artistic Research Centre, learn from the multi award winning Ugly Bucket in masterclasses designed to harness the power of clown, whether you‘re a seasoned pro or complete beginner.
We believe clowning is about more than just honing your craft. It’s about building community and connecting with others. That’s why our Big Bucket Retreat includes –
THREE DAYS OF workshops, shared meals, a bonfire social, grounding in nature, a morning rave, rooftop meditation and more…
TESTIMONIALS
The retreat was the most playful, joyful, soul-enriching, heart-expanding way to learn and grow as both a performer and a person, in the most safe and space I could imagine, with the most beautiful people in the most magical place.
This experience is a life changing look into yourself, the joys of life and its uncertainties.
If everyone had access to such an inspiring, supportive space at least once in a lifetime, I genuinely believe the world would be a different place. The retreat offered a full-bodied welcome to all of my parts of self.
I have never done clowning before. My experience was magical and life-changing. I feel I have found new courage and freedom in being me which translates to all other areas of life.
The retreat and the people there really helped to improve my confidence, helping me to get my smile back.
It could not have been more different to the clown courses/workshops I’ve done in the past. I’ve left this weekend inspired, encouraged and more confident.
I am new to clowning. The exercise that Ugly Bucket provided are really accessible and able for us to work on our own level.
Based in a historical landmark situated on the beautiful woodland of Bidston Hill, just over the water from Liverpool, Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre (BOARC) is a self-organising study site for research, communality and experimentation.
The building has 5 floors, including an open access rooftop with 360 views and dormitory style bedrooms – discussion can easily flow from kitchen to sound recording studio as creative ideas bounce between the domes and basements.
Learn more about Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre at
Guided by our practitioners at Ugly Bucket, participants will explore games and exercises designed to reignite play and use clowning as a lens for self-exploration and expression.
We will ask participants to draw on authenticity, accept the unknown, celebrate vulnerability, and embrace the truths about themselves that clowning can uncover. In doing so, we will highlight the unique essence within each of us—something that transcends language, drawing in and captivating an audience. Participants will enhance presentness, mindfulness, instinct, and trust to create clowns that are more bold, exciting, and connect on a deeper level.
We will delve into all kinds of relationships—our relationship with ourselves, how clowns interact with each other, and, of course, the clown’s life source: their relationship with an audience. Together, we will practice techniques to not only harness audience connection but to play within it as well.
Beyond this, we invite you to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and personal growth. The Ugly Bucket style is one of grotesque physicality, intuitive movement, and liberation. In defying conventional standards, our clowns offer a gateway to self-acceptance and new horizons of expression. Collectively, we will think less, do more, and embrace failure as an integral part of the clowning process and life itself.
Over our time together, we will remind participants that when people are laughing, they are listening. We will think about how clowns, in their purity, can possess the audacity and boldness to tackle difficult conversations and confront social issues head-on through laughter. Beyond the retreat, we hope participants will understand clowning as a means to reflect ourselves and the world around us with unabashed honesty, and will consider how they can ignite action for positive change.
Ultimately, our clowning retreat offers a safe and liberating space for individuals to connect, cultivate joy, and harness the gifts of clown— both on and off the stage.
TICKETS
All tickets include full catering for the weekend and include dorm style accommodation at Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre.
We offer Concession Tickets for Students, Benefits recipients, OAP’s and disabled participants.
We are offering one bursary place for our retreat – more information on this can be found at uglybuckettheatre.co.uk
Be inspired by our museum, gallery and theatre programme in an arts and crafts workshop suitable for all the family. There’s something for all ages, with all materials supplied and all for free!
Drop-in any time between 11am – 3pm and get creative.
Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult.
First come first served. You may be expected to wait until a space at a craft table becomes available.
Be inspired by our museum, gallery and theatre programme in an arts and crafts workshop suitable for all the family. There’s something for all ages, with all materials supplied and all for free!
Drop-in any time between 11am – 3pm and get creative.
Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult.
First come first served. You may be expected to wait until a space at a craft table becomes available.
Be inspired by our museum, gallery and theatre programme in an arts and crafts workshop suitable for all the family. There’s something for all ages, with all materials supplied and all for free!
Drop-in any time between 11am – 3pm and get creative.
Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult.
First come first served. You may be expected to wait until a space at a craft table becomes available.
A life (drawing) less ordinary is a creative social for people to come together and create drawings, paintings, sculpture and more, inspired by contemporary dance. There will be dancers and musicians performing live in the Gallery space at Shakespeare North Playhouse.
Bring your own materials and sketch / snap / jot down your interpretations of the movements, as performers travel around the space.
Usually £12, we are offering this class for FREE during Leap Dance Festival 2026 as part of our take over of Shakespeare North Playhouse! Please book a place so we have an idea of numbers. This event takes places in Shakespeare North’s Gallery.
The Writer’s Bloc is Writing on the Wall’s dedicated creative writing centre in Liverpool – a welcoming space where writers of all backgrounds can write, connect and grow together.
The Writer’s Bloc brings together a vibrant community of writers and creative thinkers from across the Liverpool City Region and is now launching at Bootle Library. It’s flexible, friendly and supportive: a place where inspiration and encouragement go hand in hand.
Our first two Writer’s Bloc sessions at Bootle Library will be:
Wednesday 29th April Creating Work For The Stage workshop with Helen Jeffery
In this session, Helen will explore what makes great theatre & how playwriting differs from other types of storytelling.
Practical writing exercises and lots of space for discussion and questions.
Wednesday 13th May Time To Write
This session will start with a couple of writing prompts as a warm up and then the rest of the time is yours to work on whatever you like. There will be a chance to share your work at the end of the session if you choose to.
Both sessions will take place at Bootle Library, 220 Stanley Road, Bootle, L20 3EN.
The Writer’s Bloc is Writing on the Wall’s dedicated creative writing centre in Liverpool – a welcoming space where writers of all backgrounds can write, connect and grow together.
The Writer’s Bloc brings together a vibrant community of writers and creative thinkers from across the Liverpool City Region and is now launching at Birkenhead Central Library. It’s flexible, friendly and supportive: a place where inspiration and encouragement go hand in hand.
Our first two Writer’s Bloc sessions at Birkenhead Central Library will be:
Monday 27th April Creating Work For The Stage workshop with Helen Jeffery
In this session, Helen will explore what makes great theatre & how playwriting differs from other types of storytelling.
Practical writing exercises and lots of space for discussion and questions.
Monday 11th May Time To Write
This session will start with a couple of writing prompts, then the rest of the time is yours to work on whatever you like. There will be a chance to share your work at the end of the session if you choose to.
Both sessions are free of charge and will take place at –
Time: 10.30am-12.30pm
Venue: Birkenhead Central Library, Borough Road, Birkenhead CH41 2XB England
