Difficulty: Explorer (Level 1)
Is anything truly original? Many of your favourite films and songs take inspiration from ancient myths, classic books and well-known stories.
For example, Disney movies are often based on fairy tales. But each new version should add to the storyline and change some aspects of the characters to make them more interesting.
In music, artists sometimes take tunes from older songs and remix them into something new. Or the way they choose to sing could make their song different from the original singer. They might even have different lyrics but still share some similarities.
To plagiarise someone else’s work is to copy every single thing or almost everything they did. In contrast, taking inspiration is making your own version of something by using someone’s work as your base and changing things.
Take inspiration and make your own art with the activities below.
Remake a scene from your favourite film
Materials
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your favourite film
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something to take notes with, like a pen and paper or a computer
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a camera or a smartphone with a camera
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props and costumes
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friends and family to help
Instructions
1. Watch your favourite film and choose a scene.
2. What if you changed one of the characters in a completely different way? Reimagine the scene by replacing one of the characters with yourself or someone you know. How would their responses and actions change?
3. Now, write a script for the new scene. Make sure to be creative!
4. Once you write the script, gather friends or family to act the scene out with you. Grab any props and costumes too.
5. Practise the scene a few times with your friends – it’s OK to read from the script while you act. When you feel ready, film the scene using a camera or a phone!
Mix and match music
1. Choose a song that you really enjoy. Write down your favourite lyrics.
2. Now, think of a very simple melody. For example, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Or choose a song which has a melody you enjoy.
3. Try to sing the lyrics you have written down to the new melody you have chosen. Does it fit? You might need to change some of the words to match the rhythm of your chosen melody.
4. Perform your mix-and-match song for your family! Can they recognise where the individual parts came from?
