Paul Smith: PS Your Mystery Sender

• Watch up until 00:25 seconds. Why do you think it was shot using the camera in this way?
• Watch up until 00:30 seconds. What do you think this film is about? Why?
• The film uses a mix of real-life film and animation. What impact does this have on the overall film? What impression does it give?
• Watch from 03:31 – 03:57 and 05:43 – 06:25. Discuss how these clips make you feel. Does it fit with the rest of the film? Why do you think this was included?
• Watch again from 03:53 – 04:10. What effect does the blurring of the shot give as Paul Smith is talking about his memories?
• Many of the camera shots are distorted or at an unusual angle or height. How does this camera work enhance what you are watching?
• Look at the colours used in the film. What do you notice? What information does this give us?
• Listen to the soundtrack for the film. Why do you think this is used and what effect does it give?

• Research who Paul Smith is and create a fact file.
• What information is left out of the documentary about Paul Smith? What else might fans want to know?
• Investigate what the strangest thing was to ever be posted.
• Paul Smith is from Nottingham. Are there any other famous people from Nottingham?
• How many other British fashion designers can you name? Research famous British designers.
• Listen from 07:24 – 07:45. Listening to it as a piece of poetry, what does it mean?

WRITE

• Imagine you are writing a testimonial for being an employee of Paul Smith. What would you say?
• Pick one of the strange objects you see in the documentary and create a story around why this item was sent to Paul Smith. You could take a screen shot of the item and brainstorm around it.
• Write a diary entry, imagining you are Paul and you just received another strange item. How would he feel? What does he think?

FILMMAKING

• Make your own documentary about your hobby/job. Think about the style of documentary you want to make.

DRAW

• Design your own stamp commemorating something that is important to you.
• Create a poster advertising Paul Smith’s next fashion show.

HFT

• Design a piece of clothing to go down the runway. You can design it on paper, taking notes on fabric and influence - and you could even have a go at making it!