Aardman Masterclass

Join us for this animation industry masterclass with the founders of Aardman Studios Peter Lord and David Sproxton, and Academy Award-winning animator Adam Elliot (Mary & Max, Harvie Krumpet). Aardman Studios is renowned for their signature animation style and unique character creations, like the eccentric inventor and his loyal canine in Wallace & Gromit and the melancholy mountain lion of Creature Comforts. The masters will share trade secrets about the studio’s storyboarding, model making and animation techniques, as well as insider tips on producing for animation and how to forge a sustainable animation career. Peter and David will also discuss their predictions for the animation industry, including new platforms, markets and opportunities, as well as their latest foray into the brave new world of VR. 3:45 The beginnings of Aardman 10:00 The arrival of Morph 12:37 Aardman’s secret plasticine formula 14:50 Documentary animation. 20:53 “British people are so dull.” - Creature comforts 24:45 Where the ideas come from? 29:20 How ideas progress in drawings, the progression of Wallace 37:20 Innovations in stop motion animation 42:39 Aardman’s handmade style 43:40 Scripting 52:00 Storyboarding and the Train Chase sequence 57:00 Music magic 58:30 Puns and humour 1:03:11 Secrets in the Sets 1:08:11 Camera movement 1:12:40 Acting out 1:17:00 Switching to digital cameras and cinematography 1:23:10 Financing and crowd funding 1:29:40 VR 1:34:20 Q&A