The National Media Museum launches its 2010 Soap Season this February half term 
(19/01/2010)
Whatever the weather and whatever your favourite soap, the National Media Museum is the place to be this February half term. This February half term the National Media Museum, Bradford, launches its 2010 Soap Season with a whole host of unique family activities, events and workshops to celebrate the anniversaries of some of Britain’s biggest and longest running soaps.
Starting in half term week (15-21 February) you can discover the story behind soap opera and how the programmes influence our lives. Families, kids and soap fans alike are invited to join in and celebrate 25 years of EastEnders, which first aired in 1985, 15 years of Hollyoaks and 50 years of Coronation Street. Special events and talks, some featuring cast and crew members from the programmes, will be taking place at the National Media Museum throughout the year.
During half term youngsters can learn the tricks of the soap trade with acting, writing and production workshops, and even star in and film their very own mini-soap. Families can explore the dramatic world of soap opera by following the Museum’s Big Family Soap Trail or find out if they know their Rover’s Return from their Woolpack in the Super Soap Quiz.
In addition, the Museum’s galleries and IMAX 3D, Pictureville and Cubby Broccoli Cinemas offer family films and attractions to complete a fantastic day out.
Half Term workshops – Soap!
This half term the Museum invites the public to watch and even get involved in a Live Interpretation of scenes from EastEnders (Tuesday 16 – Thursday 18 February, afternoons). The Experience TV Studio will come to life as the Museum team produces a scene from the famous soap, demonstrating how television programmes are made. Visitors could even be called on to help out as floormanagers, camera operators or extras.
Other family soap-themed workshops include Act Now! (16 February) Where budding actors can join a professional for some inside tips on how to act on screen for film and TV, a workshop suitable for families with children aged 8-16 wanting to learn new skills or develop existing acting flair.
Little stars in the making are also invited to attend the exciting Lights, Camera, Action workshop (18 February) where they can put their newly developed acting skills into practice and become the star of their very own mini-soap.
There’s also a chance for youngsters to show off their writing skills in the Write Away! Scriptwriting workshop (17 February), where they will be joined by Joe Hepworth, script reader for the UK Film Council, for a fun-packed writing workshop full of exciting and humorous soap storylines. (All workshops mentioned above are £3 per person, limited places, booking essential)
If that’s whet appetites for more half term soap fun, visitors can explore and follow the Museum’s Big Family Soap Trail that will run daily throughout half term in Experience TV, the Museum’s interactive permanent gallery showcasing the history of television. Here you can also vision mix a scene from Emmerdale or transport yourself and take a walk down the famous Weatherfield cobbles of Coronation Street in the Museum’s virtual studio.
Also happening daily throughout half term is the Super Soap Quiz in the TV Heaven viewing room (this is a free activity. Places are limited so booking is essential).
Other Museum workshops, galleries and exhibitions
For other hands on workshops this February half term, the Museum will be running its popular TV, animation and photography workshops including Fun with Photography (17 February), the creative Make your own TV Advert (16 February) and Stop-Motion Animation Workshop (18 February). (Workshops, £3 per person, booking essential).
For the perfect family treat, this half term, keep an eye out for the newly animated Ponyo featuring the voice of Cate Blanchett. Or catch the Oscar nominated documentary Winged Migration showing as part of the Museum Family Film Fundays where tickets cost £1 per person (Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 February, 1pm).
The Museum’s brand new Games Lounge is unveiled on February 13, offering the chance to experience video gaming as it was in the days before PlayStations, Xboxes and Wiis. Classic games which started the video gaming phenomenon, including Frogger, Streetfighter 2 and Centipede will be available in their original arcade formats for everyone to enjoy.
For another out of this world experience, blast off with Space Station 3D showing in IMAX. The National Media Museum is the only venue in Yorkshire where cinemagoers can watch films on a screen as tall as four double-decker buses for a BIGGER and BETTER cinema experience. Also showing in IMAX during February half term is Dinosaurs Alive 3D and Deep Sea 3D.
Don’t forget to visit the Museum’s eye popping permanent galleries. Stop off at the Animation Gallery and say hello to everyone’s favourite cheeky double act Wallace and Gromit, venture through the colourful Magic Factory and discover how light behaves through the interactive exhibits.
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