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FluxMobile

The FluxMobile, a state-of-the-art mobile digital media studio, staffed by professional digital artists, moved between Swindon’s schools, youth groups and community settings offering activities such as animation, music recording and film making. Working in partnership with Flux and Artsmad, the vehicle and its programme was managed by Mobile Media, of Create Studios.

Over 1,000 youngsters – from 8-25 – have taken part in some form of digital media on the bus. Everywhere the striking red, Flux-branded airstream bus goes, it had an impact. And that impact wasn't just the wow factor, although Shahina Johnson, head of Create Studios, says that when it arrived at a venue it was “like the circus coming to town.”

Amazed

But the impact was much deeper than that. Shahina explained, “When young people saw the FluxMobile and realised that it was a resource designed just for them, they were amazed.

"They were really chuffed that someone had thought to make an incredible vehicle, plus make artists available, just for them. It made the young people feel valued.

“Whenever we took it to schools it was always seen as a major treat; they were so excited when they saw it and then they couldn't believe they were allowed to get on it themselves. It made young people feel really positive about themselves, it built their self esteem because they felt worth the time and effort and resource. And that’s just turning up. When we worked with them using the digital technology and they saw the results of their own work there was an incredible boost of self confidence. And if it was shown to an audience at the Underground or put on YouTube or mobile phones it gave them affirmation and boosted their confidence even more. It was just fantastic.”

Barry Andrews, musician from XTC band, and FluxMobile artist (and FluxMobile driver!) said, “There was a buzz and various tribes of young people queued up to get involved. It facilitated the creativity of youth in Swindon. We’ve had ‘Muscles’ and his crew espousing old skool hip hop ghetto anthems about striving for positivity against the odds. His girlfriend Ash provided sweet chorus bits and moral support. And a few of their mates all mucky from the building site just watched. The process was dictated by the kids, they wanted to use beats from Limewire and ‘spit’ over them so that’s what I did.”
 

Digital artist Mel Shearsmith worked on the FluxMobile too. She said some boys who worked on a film "were thrilled with the bus and the attitude of 'you can make anything!'"

The FluxMobile was used almost exclusively on the Flux project but in Penhill it brought together Year 6 parents and their children on digital arts, using software such as Photobooth and Garageband to illustrate their interests. When children get to the last year of primary, parents tend not to have as much input or communication with the school and can loose touch with the progress of their child. This project enabled six parents to come onto the FluxMobile and work with their child on an arts project of their own choosing.

Shahina reports, “The work exceeded teachers’ expectations. People’s IT skills have increased but this is a secondary outcome, the main thing is they had a safe space to do something enjoyable with their children.”

Andrew Farmer, from St Francis Primary School, explained how the FluxMobile has helped his school. "The Fluxmobile has been to our school three times now. I'm delighted with the work we've produced and it hasn't cost us a penny! We've applied for IT status for St Francis and we are using our FluxMobile projects as evidence - the children have worked on a website and two films with music. I would just carry on having the FluxMobile here every term if I could."

Comments from young people using the FluxMobile:

“Good fun”

“We saw the bus, we went to have a look and we’ve been coming ever since (four weeks)”

Fabulous

Claire Smith, Extended Services coordinator for Highworth and Blunsdon, said, “It was really positive for the young people of Blunsdon to have such a fabulous and creative activity available in their village.”

Artist Dani Landau added, “The FluxMobile workshop fulfilled its aim as a fun way to introducing young people to the creative use of digital media, in an informal, open minded style which the young people enjoyed…”

Flux at the Underground

The FluxMobile at the Underground has provided more than 60 hours of activities for over 80 young people. One 18-year-old boy said, “It keeps kids off the street - it gives us somewhere to record and experiment.”

One group of young people, OTS (Old Town Soldiers), have attended since the Underground began. James, aged 17, said, "This is a really good opportunity for me to use the equipment I don't have at home, to make music and record tracks. The first time I came here I couldn't really spit, this helped inspire me. This has helped me because I've got to practise more and it has helped me achieve my goal to be an mc."
 

And the future?

As the Flux project draws to a close this summer Create Studios will take on the FluxMobile, making it available to even more young people in Swindon. Shahina again, “The FluxMobile has been brilliant in getting young people interested in digital art, intrigued by different artforms, and, even more importantly, providing a huge boost to their self esteem. Now the legacy of the FluxMobile will be even more young people in Swindon having access to the fantastic range of activities the bus offers, providing them with opportunities they wouldn’t find elsewhere that will really encourage them - and that’s going to be incredible.

“However, we need partners across the town to match fund our resources and keep the FluxMobile in Swindon to benefit all it’s communities, so if you know anyone who can get involved, let me know!”

For more information please contact Shahina Johnson.