Animators everywhere are being challenged to bring to life a unique collection of silent movie scores recently been recorded by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) as part of The Silent Movies Animation Challenge from Animation Forum West Midlands, the CBSO and Birmingham Library & Archive Services.

The Silent Animation Challenge is open to anyone with a passion for animation. Using the scores recorded by the CBSO, animators are being asked to create a unique piece of work that will reawaken the spirit of the ‘golden era of cinema’ – between 1915 and 1929:

The best submissions will have their work screened – accompanied by the Orchestra – at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, on Friday 20th April 2012 prior to the Friday Night Classics: Classic Chaplin concert at 7.30pm.

The winning animator will then receive a place on the Introduction to Final Cut Pro X course at Birmingham City University’s NTI Birmingham, as well as a money-can’t-buy placement at award-winning animation studio, The CharacterShop, in Birmingham.

Stephen Maddock, CBSO chief executive, said: “These ‘iconic’ pieces of music hold a special place in Birmingham’s rich cultural heritage. We’ve been privileged to and have had a lot of fun recording some of the titles, which include: Indian War Dance, Dramatic Love Scene, Cottage Love Scene, Conspiracy and The Smugglers.

“Through the Silent Movies Animation Challenge we hope to give the music a sense of purpose once more. We’re looking for talented individuals, who don’t need experience, just inspiration, to create a short piece that resonates with the music and the era but also has a flavour of the city that has ‘rediscovered’ this musical treasure in its archives.”

The silent movie scores form part of Birmingham’s world-class archive and special collections to be housed at the new Library of Birmingham (opening 2013).

Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council said: “These rare scores were rediscovered last year during ongoing preparations for the move to the Library of Birmingham in 2013. This is quite possibly one of the largest and most important collections in the UK and contains pieces that haven’t been heard for almost 100 years. It’s thrilling to think that we’re bringing this slice of cinematic history to life through the recordings and also through working with animators who will be creating a future legacy for this work.”

Animators are invited to create a short animation, using the streamed pieces of music on the CBSO SoundCloud page, including the word Birmingham or an image of the city.  A panel of experts and enthusiasts including the Character Shop’s Andy Guest and Dice Production’s Louis Hudson, will judge entries.

Finalists will have their work screened - accompanied by the Orchestra - at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, on Friday 20 April 2012 prior to the Friday Night Classics: Classic Chaplin concert at 7.30pm. The winning animator will then receive a place on the Introduction to Final Cut Pro X course at Birmingham City University’s NTI Birmingham, as well as a money-can’t-buy placement at the award-winning animation studio, The CharacterShop, in Birmingham.

David Allen, Animation Forum West Midlands’ manager: “This challenge offers animators a very unique prospect of having their work screened alongside a live orchestra in true silent cinema style. The Midlands has a wealth of animation talent, and we can’t wait to see what people come up with.”

Closing date for entries is 10 April 2012. Entries should be sent an .mov file via Dropbox to rgreen@cbso.co.uk or posted on a DVD data disc to to Ruth Green, CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham, B1 2LF. For full details and terms & conditions go to the CBSO Facebook page or animationforumwm.co.uk.

The CBSO’s Friday Night Classics: Classic Chaplin takes place on Friday 10 April 2012, 7.30pm, at Symphony Hall.  Tickets can be bought in person at the Symphony Hall box office, by phone on 0121 7890 333, or online at www.thsh.co.uk