Information Age participation project Cameroon film-making project linking the past with the present

The Science Museum, London will be opening a new gallery in September 2014 about the technology we have used to communicate and share information over the last 200 years. This gallery - Information Age - will centre on the stories of the people who developed and used this communication and information technology. The gallery will be divided to 6 sections of technology; telegraphy, radio and television, landline telephones, satellite communication, computer networks and mobile telephones. The section looking at mobile phones tells a range of stories about how the mobile phone network allows us to be in constant touch with one another, on both a local and global scale. One of these stories will explore how, like in many countries, the landscape and way of working in Cameroon has changed since mobile phones arrived. How have the Cameroon community helped create the display? The Cameroon story has been created in partnership with members of the Cameroonian community who are based in London, supported by the Cameroon Forum. They have helped choose the objects that will be displayed and the stories we tell about them, with a focus on the different methods and tools people have used to communicate in Cameroon from both a traditional and contemporary perspective. The group decided they didnt want traditional methods to be seen as irrelevant or redundant to today, so the display will explore the relationship between the modern and traditional forms of communicating, comparing and contrasting todays mobile phones and with a traditional Talking Drum.

What we want to do Want to be involved? We would like to work with a group of up to 10 creative people from the Cameroonian community to create a short film that will go inside the Cameroon display next to a Talking Drum. The film will help to explain the relationship between traditional forms of communication in Cameroon, such as the Drum, and mobile telecommunication. The film will also explore the status of mobile phones in Cameroonian culture. It will be an opportunity to show the range of different communication tools traditionally used in Cameroon. The film could be done in many different ways but we hope it will include different views and people of different ages and genders, both in Cameroon and in London. Why be involved? You will be helping us to develop a film that will give thousands of visitors an insight into Cameroonian culture and a bigger picture of what communication means to Cameroon. It will be an opportunity to work together with a filmmaker and develop your filmmaking and creative skills and experience. This will include work ing out a storyline for the film, deciding who will feature in the film, working out a rough outline of the script, and helping to find people to interview and film. When will it take place? There will be an introductory session at the museum on Thursday 6 th Feb 6-9pm to find out more about the project and confirm the session schedule. There will be around 8 creative sessions at the Science Museum happening between February and April 2014 that will happen in the evening with some weekend/holiday workshops. These will include an introduction to film making, and creative and production sessions. Refreshments and a 20 travel allowance will be provided for each session. If you are interested in taken part, please fill your details on the attached form and return by 13th January 2014 via email to deanne.naula@sciencemuseum.org.uk or call 020 7942 4738 for more information. Look forward to hearing from you. Deanne Deanne Naula Learning & Participation Coordinator - Information Age The Science Museum Exhibition Road London SW7 2DD Tel: 020 7942 4738 E-mail: deanne.naula@sciencemuseum.org.uk Member of the NMSI Diversity Panel