Movieum - London's Movie Museum

Dr Who, Sherlock Holmes, Hell Raiser 3 and Judge Dredd on Display

Jun 20, 2008

This is a museum of film history, but the Movieum also offers courses in film skills such as animation, model and prop making, make-up, set design and photography skills.

London's South Bank buzzes with activity and is now home to another fine museum. The Movieum of London, located in the hallowed corridors and offices of London's old County Hall, is one of London's newest and truly fascinating museums. The Movieum promotes all aspects of movie making in the UK and is an amazing experience that will appeal to children and adults alike.

Bite-Sized Chunks of History

The story of Britain's film industry is broken down into bite-sized chunks in a display that relates the histories of all the major film studios including Pinewood, Elstree, Shepperton, Ealing, Denham and Bray. Speaking about the MGM British Studio, actress Sylvia Syms, star of Ice Cold in Alex, said: "Your dressing room was lined with fresh flowers grown at the studio and they made you feel like a star."

British films are explored through the various genres of comedy, horror, social realism, period drama, sci-fi and fantasy and, of course, musicals. The exhibition features scripts, sound tracks, photographs, costumes, props and models alongside replica sets from Star Wars and the popular Sherlock Holmes series. Also on display is the Tardis from Dr Who, the motorbike ridden by Judge Dredd, chess pieces from Alice in Wonderland, a king-sized settee from The Borrowers, Superman's costume and the Pillar of Souls from Hellraiser 3.

Small Screen to Big Screen

When you've walked your feet off relax in one of the viewing lounges and watch some of the many iconic British television series that were made into feature films.

Stuart Freeborn

Included in the display is a gallery devoted to the work of one of Britain's best known make-up artists, Stuart Freeborn. Freeborn is especially famous for his work on the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the Star Wars Trilogy. The gallery includes many unpublished photographs of Freeborn's work.

Activities

This is more than just a museum. It is a continuously evolving project that will show what films are made in the UK, how and where they are made and who makes them. It's a complete art centre for film studies. At weekends younger visitors can enrol in many exciting events. Recent activities include Jedi School which was part of an earlier exhibition - Star Wars the Exhibition.

For more serious students there are lessons in script writing and editing. The art studio will be running programmes and workshops in prop making, photography, scenery design and production. The plan for the future is that almost every skill connected with the film industry will be offered.

Master classes in cartoon making are also available led by in-house comic artist and animator Huw-J- who will teach the foundations of animation. These sessions are extremely popular and tailor-made to suit the needs of students, be they children or adults, fun seekers or serious students and it is essential to book in advance.

A Work in Progress

Jonathan Sands, Chief Executive of the Movieum, told Suite that the museum is still very much a work in progress, continuously developing, with new items being purchased all the time." When asked about future plans Mr Sands told Suite: "We're having a 3D cinema installed this week, and next week Le Movieum de Paris opens. I'd love to do everything at once, but it has to be one step at a time."

The copyright of the article Movieum - London's Movie Museum in Art Galleries/Museums is owned by Frances Spiegel. Permission to republish Movieum - London's Movie Museum in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.