Biography of 'Glasgow School of Art Kinecraft Society (GSAKS)'

Student Film Society

Glasgow School of Art’s Kinecraft Society (GSAKS) was formed in 1933, principally around students Norman McLaren and Stewart McAllister. Much of their early films were hand crafted, with animation playing a large part, often displaying avant garde influences. Despite strict limitations on equipment and budget, the films were highly inventive, which McLaren later described as ‘making virtue of necessities’.

One of the earliest works of the society, Seven Till Five, detailing a day in the life of the Art School, won the Award For Documentary at the 1934 Scottish Amateur Film Festival (SAFF). Building on this success, the group developed a piece entitled Camera Making Whoopee, based around the Art School’s Christmas Carnival Ball. Taking nine months to make, it featured many filmmaking tricks such as superimpositions, dissolves and bisected frames. Entered into the SAFF in 1936, it led to McLaren and McAllister being offered the opportunity to work with John Grierson, widely considered to be the founder of British documentary film, at the General Post Office (GPO) Film Unit. Norman McLaren later moved to the National Film Board of Canada, whilst Stewart McAllister moved on to British Transport Films.

Other members of the society included Helen Biggar, Violet Anderson (later Violet Neish), John Neish, and member of staff William J. McLean, who was to join Campbell Harper Films after the Second World War.

Researcher: David Ross

Films associated with 'COCOZZA, Enrico'

13 hits

Asc Desc
	ASK NO QUESTIONS [7209] Add to my films An animated film concerning a monkey and wooden toys.	Onsite only	1939 silent bw
	CAMERA MAKES WHOOPEE [1098] Add to my films The Annual Fancy Dress Ball at Glasgow School of Art: "Something New Under the Sun". Includes two ballets, "Hungarian" and "Machine Age" and animated sequences.	Onsite only	1936 mute bw
	GLASGOW JUVENILE INSTRUCTION CENTRE, a [2106] Add to my films An entry for the 1937 Scottish Amateur Film Festival, this film shows daily life at South Carntyne juvenile instructional centre, one of several in Glasgow for unemployed people.	Onsite only	1934 silent bw
	GLASGOW MAY DAY 1937 [1722] Add to my films Promotional film for the Clarion Film Society. Members are involved in the Glasgow May Day procession, filming the march for "fallen comrades" in the Spanish Civil War.		1937 silent bw
	HEIL OESTERREICH [2105] Add to my films An entry for the 1938 Scottish Amateur Film Festival, the film shot in Austria, includes scenes of local festivals. [Violet Anderson was a contemporary of Norman McLaren at Glasgow School of Art].	Onsite only	1936 silent bw
	HELL UNLTD [1099] Add to my films Powerful anti-war film detailing the cost in dead and wounded, and the resultant economic depression of the 1914-1918 war. The film graphically illustrates the horrors of another war. [Entered for the 1937 Scottish Amateur Film Festival].		1936 silent bw
	HOPPITY POP [1457] Add to my films Experimental film using coloured shapes to illustrate a dance to old fashion calliope music. Filmed by Norman McLaren.		1949 sound col
	JUNGLE JINKS, HEIL OESTERREICH, POTTERY and GLASGOW JUNIOR INSTRUCTION CENTRE [2108] Add to my films Composite reel of family film and footage from other titles by film-maker. [JUNGLE JINKS entered for the Scottish Amateur Film Festival 1940].	Onsite only	1937 silent bwcol
	LITTLE PHANTASY, a [0651] Add to my films Animated film of an island in a painting which is subject to the forces of nature and the supernatural. [Original painting by Arnold Boecklin].		1946 sound col
	OBEDIENT FLAME, the [1044] Add to my films A cartoon advertising the advantages of gas and gas cookers.		1940 sound bw
	POTTERY [2107] Add to my films An entry for the 1937 Scottish Amateur Film Festival, it shows a potter at work in a small house and yard in Somerset.		1936 silent col
	SEVEN TILL FIVE [1100] Add to my films Filmed by Norman McLaren and Willie J. MacLean, it shows a day in the life of the Glasgow School of Art. [Awarded SAFF prize].	Onsite only	1934 silent bw
	STARS AND STRIPES [0650] Add to my films An experimental film by Norman McLaren, made without camera, by drawing directly on 35mm film with ordinary pen and ink.	Onsite only	1943 sound col