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Ernie's Idea

This short animation tells the story of Ernie, a simple fellow who loves his job. One day, the blissful routine of Ernie's life is thrown into chaos when a pesky and persistent idea suddenly decides to follow him around, demanding attention in the most disruptive ways. Suddenly Ernie's job is in jeopardy. What do you do with an idea, when you've never had one before? How can you tell if it's worth contemplating or just plain trouble?
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This short animation tells the story of Ernie, a simple fellow who loves his job. One day, the blissful routine of Ernie's life is thrown into chaos when a pesky and persistent idea suddenly decides to follow him around, demanding attention in the most disruptive ways. Suddenly Ernie's job is in jeopardy. What do you do with an idea, when you've never had one before? How can you tell if it's worth contemplating or just plain trouble?

Psychology and Psychiatry All subjects
  • director
    Claire Maxwell
    Peter Vogler
  • producer
    Svend-Erik Eriksen
  • executive producer
    Barbara Janes
    Svend-Erik Eriksen
  • camera
    Tom Brydon
    Lynka Belanger
    Alvin Chong
  • editing
    Janice Brown
    Liz Walker
  • sound editing
    James Ilecic
    Kirby Jinnah
  • animation
    Claire Maxwell
    Tracy Lewis
  • re-recording
    Christopher James
  • narrator
    Mike Cram
  • music
    John Forrest

Education

Ages 8 to 18
Study Guide
Guide 1
School subjects
Arts Education - Art Arts Education - Dance Arts Education - Drama Arts Education - Music Arts Education - Visual Arts

In this animated short film, Ernie is perplexed and even fearful of an idea he has. This film could be used in any subject where the viewers are expected to generate ideas, solve problems or be creative, as well as in situations where new ideas are being introduced and change will happen. Discussions, writing and research topics could centre around: Where do ideas come from, what interferes with new ideas taking off versus what makes new ideas easily accepted, do the viewers have ideas that could be inventions of the future? Artists need regular access to creative ideas; what helps the creative process to happen?

More educational content

Ernie's Idea
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Licensing information
Download-to-own (DTO) licence detail
Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

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