DreamIt: Playing with the future
In January, a brilliant group of young people from Chopwell Youth Club started to imagine what their future might look like; we dropped in to see what they’ve discovered.
Funded by the Postcode Lottery, DreamIt is our new project, combining the two things we’re brilliant at, creativity and digital technology, but this time extending this over a longer period and working with four different artists.
Working with writer Susan Mulholland, the girls created a story about a new app on their phones which would allow them to see their potential future. The next stage was to explore how the latest AI technology could allow them to see what this future would look like, working with film-maker Ronnie Johnston.
Ronnie took the group through the AI prompt process step by step:
“It started with them drawing their images on paper then learning how to create specific prompts for the AI technology - they also learnt how to adjust the prompts when things don’t look exactly how you want straight away. Then they created their models, based on 40-50 photos of themselves, putting them in future situations or job roles like a famous singer or pro-wrestler.”
“We finished off the AI module by producing some spectacular reimaginings of Chopwell in the future. We then did some more development work on the script in terms of working out what sections to animate with Laura and then on our last session we shot the majority of the live action footage with all participants giving great performances on the acting front. I’ve been so impressed by the group’s energy and enthusiasm at all of the different stages.”
It’s clear that the group are having a great time but also working very hard! Chanise Armstrong, their youth worker (and lynchpin of Digital Voice HQ) is feeling very proud:
“They've been doing fantastically, showing up week after week and throwing themselves into the project. I was especially impressed with how quickly they took to acting during the filming session, most young people would giggle a lot (there were some little giggles) but they quickly focused and worked really hard. I couldn't be happier with the outcomes so far.”
Next, the group will work with artist and illustrator, Laura Crow, who will help them animate sections of their story - we’ll keep you updated on their progress!