JULY 9: SHORT FILM DIRECTING.
JULY 25,30,27 AND AUGUST 29: INTERNET FOR BEGINNERS
At a creative video workshop, John Dower, who directed the acclaimed Electric Frank in the BBCChannel 4 series Brief Encounters, will show his films and discuss the art of directing. Tickets: Pounds 3. The second course, on how to surf the World Wide Web, costs Pounds 5. Venue: Croydon Clocktower. Details: 0181 253 1030.
AUGUST 2-8: TAUNTON SUMMER SCHOOL
Composer, Leighton James House, is leading a “Let’s Make a Musical” course for children aged eight upwards, August 3-7. They will “set his music to words” and perform the show on the last day. Other courses include character reading from facial expressions, Wessex walks, Somerset villages and “In search of Hunkypunks” (the intriguing world of churches, churchyards, stained glass window designs and clasping buttresses). Details: Diana Atkinson, 01823 349243.
AUGUST 3-6: WRITING BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
Leicestershire children’s authors and experienced adult education tutors, such as Jana Novotny Hunter and Rose Impey, will give tips to budding children’s writers at Leicester Adult Education College’s Writing School. Sessions include a “Writing for Schools Day” (August 5), especially for teachers and a masterclass on writing film scripts led by children’s scriptwriter, Andrew Melrose, director of an MA course on the subject. Accommodation available. Details: 0116 2334343.
AUGUST 24-27: BROADENING HORIZONS: READING FOR LIFE
Philip Pullman, Adele Geras and Geoff Fox are among the speakers at this Arts Council children’s literature summer school at Westminster College, Oxford. Seminar topics include: poetry; translated literature; illustration as ways of telling; and experimenting with form. Plus readings and storytelling by Liz Weir and Patrick Ryan. Fee: Pounds 195 residential. Details: 01865 253331.
