Issue Three March 2011 School of Media Edition Special AUCB ALUMNI MAGAZINE by DannyCapozzi Chooks Chop Socky Front image: cover alumnus noun (pl. alumni/; fem. alumna/, pl. alumnae) a former pupil or student of

a particular school, college, or university.

WELCOME ([email protected]) Rebecca Huseyin time here, let usknow and we’ll try andhelp. contact fellow students or staff membersfrom your projects andcareer moves –andif you’d like to and pride.Please keep usposted about your latest We follow thecareers of allour Alumni with interest significant andlasting contribution to thefield of Animation. as visiting tutors or guest lecturers. They continue to make a College, often recruiting new AUCB graduates or returning Alumni have anextraordinary affinity totheUniversity collected awards andaccolades along the way. Animation working intheUK andinternationally, many of whom have of themost creative andtechnically-proficient animators Animation Production course isrenowned for producing some innovations andexpertiseof our AnimationAlumni.The In thisspecialedition, we’re celebrating thesuccesses, AUCB AlumniMagazine. Welcome to issue three of the TO THERE FROM HERE

Below: Mr Benn Opposite, clockwise from top left: Spot, King Rollo and Maisy CLIVE JUSTER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ROLLO RIGHTS LTD.

GRADUATED 1969

“I came to the Bournemouth and Later, Mr Benn author and illustrator Poole College of Art, as it was then David McKee and I set up King Rollo Films and our first production was based on the called, in 1966. I later obtained series of King Rollo books that David had “There is no a place on a BBC trainee film started to write. The BBC commissioned editor’s course based at Ealing a series of thirteen and fortunately denying that many overseas television broadcasters Studios. It was a wonderful time liked our work. Thus began a long run my time at the to be working at the BBC, and of more or less continuous production; particularly at Ealing Studios, a run which continues to this day. University College which at that time was home to I received a BAFTA for the children’s Ken Russell, Spike Milligan, Monty TV series Maisy, which I produced for prepared me and Python and many of the luminaries Universal Studios, and shortly after I was nominated for an Emmy for the TV series led me into this from the Cambridge Footlights. Paz, which I produced for Discovery Kids. I was a film editor on Playschool when I Throughout my career I have continued fantastic career... was offered the job as editor on a new my links with the University College, children’s series Mr Benn. I accepted and King Rollo Films has employed which continues and set up a cutting room in my spare many AUCB graduates over the years. bedroom. Our rostrum cameraman There is no denying that my time at the Bert Walker set up his own company, University College prepared me and led to surprise and Zephyr Films, in a shed at the bottom me into this fantastic career, a career of his garden in Surbiton. This is which continues to surprise and delight delight every day” where the Mr Benn films were shot. every day. I hope that many other Alumni feel the same way and share my fondness for this very special seat of learning.” COLIN WHITE, “One of my proudest STORYBOARD moments so far was ARTIST being the production

GRADUATED 1973 designer on Chop Socky Chooks”

“I have very pleasant memories of studying at the University College. “One of the The course was enjoyably hard, highlights of my but creatively fun work. Upon graduating, I gained a place on career was Who an animation training scheme with the Halas and Batchelor Framed Roger Studio in Stroud. I spent the next thirty-five years enjoying a Rabbit. Steven successful career in animation Spielberg would doing everything from assistant animator to supervising director, come round and chat taking in character animation, layouts, storyboards, timing and to the animators!” animation direction along the way. I’ve worked on more commercials than I care to remember as well as TV series, specials and feature films both drawn Below: Colin’s sketch of Jessica Rabbit and computer animated, in the UK Bottom: A storyboard for and the US. I even worked in Russia, The Poddington Peas Manilla, Hong Kong and Saigon. I did a couple of years as a computer animator for Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), on films Caspar and Dragonheart. I also worked on Bod and Watership Down and directed The Poddington Peas and The New Adventures of Captain Pugwash. One of the highlights of my career was Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Steven Spielberg would come round and chat to the animators! I’ve just finished writing the screenplay for an animated feature, a sort of ‘Seven Samurai in fur coats’, and I’m working as a storyboard editor on pre-school animation Mike the Knight.” DANIEL CAPOZZI, ANIMATION DIRECTOR/ CHARACTER DESIGNER

GRADUATED 1994

“I remember thinking it was the best equipped institution I had ever visited; we had our own personal animation workspaces, our own light boxes and a room dedicated to computer animation and effects. We were very privileged to have all this and to be given funds to make our group films. After graduation, I started working at The Puppet Factory in Hoxton making stop-motion puppets, sets and props for Aardman Animation commercials and Crapston Villas (Spitting Image Productions). We moved to Bristol, the Mecca of animation, and I soon became a full time stop-motion animator at Aardman, and then went on to become a director for both Aardman and Bermuda Shorts. Currently, I am developing series ideas for Disney, and Nickelodeon. I work on commercials for Aardman, sometimes as a director and sometimes as a production designer. I am also a freelance illustrator doing character designs, branding and record sleeve art. One of my proudest moments so far was being the production designer on Chop Socky Chooks; designing all the characters and backgrounds and seeing it on Cartoon Network. It won a Gemini Award for best CGI series in 2008 and was nominated for a BAFTA in 2009.” Opposite, above and right: A selection of stills from Chop Socky Chooks All images copyright of Danny Capozzi 01.01.09. All illustration material is protected by A©ID & The AOI. Below left and below: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 Copyright LucasArts 2010.

Above left and above: Jason worked as computer graphics supervisor on the critically acclaimed Burnout Paradise before moving to Lucasfilm in 2009. Copyright Electronic Arts 2008. JASON SMITH, DIGITAL PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR, LUCASFILM

GRADUATED 1995

“I started my career in computer opportunities for involvement at all levels “Seeing my name games with Argonaut Software, and it’s an incredible resource, whether an industry veteran or a student looking on the credits, to the which was one of the first to expand their professional network. companies in the world to I also get to spend time collaborating on sound of the famous create 3D console games. For new techniques with the other LucasFilm me there wasn’t a more exciting divisions; Industrial Light and Magic John Williams or pioneering place to be at the (ILM), LucasFilm Animation and LucasFilm Singapore. Developing and sharing time. The company operated Star Wars theme, technology, knowledge and expertise from a run-down warehouse between the games, television, film and is a moment that in a very unglamorous part of visual effects groups is one of the most North London; upstairs we were challenging and enjoyable parts of the job. will stick with animating, downstairs served as Working at LucasFilm has also given me a washing machine showroom. the opportunity to present and train at schools, universities and studios on me as clearly as Regularly working fourteen behalf of the Jedi Masters programme; a hour days, we didn’t even get hugely rewarding aspect which has the hearing the music a discount on white goods! added benefit of travelling worldwide. It’s an honour to share a fraction of the for the first time With 17 years and 12 games inbetween, I wisdom that Peter Parr bestowed on his now work as a partner to the art directors animation class many years earlier. and executive producers at LucasFilm, back in 1977” San Francisco. I get to ensure we deliver One of my proudest moments has been the most visually stunning games possible animating the original pitch to secure by empowering the animators, artists, the Harry Potter franchise at EA games. technical directors and other content I also get to work on the Star Wars games creators to work effectively. Much of this which, according to my son, scores me comes through training, tools, technology points in the ‘cool dad’ category. development and research. It often feels The AUCB wasn’t just a three-year course like one of the best jobs in the world. in animation; it’s served as a grounding Outside of my day job I work with the for my entire career, and an amazing animation and computer graphics experience I’ll always be thankful for. communities through ACM Siggraph, Thank you Peter, and all the faculty organisers of the largest Computer staff – I wouldn’t be here without you.” Animation Festival in the world. There are ANDREW GRISDALE, LAYOUT ARTIST, PIXAR

GRADUATED 1997

“When I left the University College, I quickly landed a job at a video game company in North London. In 2006 I went to work for Blur Studio in California, as both an animator and layout artist. That job gave me more cinematic opportunities, which led to me getting the call from Pixar. Now I’m a full time layout artist at Pixar. Layout is the art of camera and staging, which means I’m a cameraman and choreographer on a computer- generated film. My job is to place the characters and block their movements, and to compose each and every shot in the film; treat the film as live action and make sure the camera behaves as a real camera would. I work closely with the director and make sure I have all the coverage I need before sending to editorial. When editorial have assembled it, the scene will go to be fully animated. I think the best part of the job is that we have a hand in shaping the films that have gone on to be so well-loved. It may be just a small part of the process, but I can still look back at certain shots and say ‘I did that’. Toy Story 3 was my first feature at Pixar and I couldn’t have asked for a more enjoyable project to work on. To see it be so successful all over the world is something I am proud to be a part of.”

“...we have a hand Images courtesy of in shaping the films Disney/Pixar that have gone on to be so well-loved” MATTHEW CRUIKSHANK, FREELANCE DESIGNER, ILLUSTRATOR AND CONCEPT ARTIST

GRADUATED 1998

“I’m currently working on an animated feature pitch at Uli Meyer Animation Studios. I love the excitement of creating a picture or moment out of nothing. It’s a window into a world where anything is possible. The only limits are your imagination. I’ve met some incredible people, including Chuck Jones, John Lassiter, and Uli Meyer. They all gave me clues and inspiration for the future; it’s up to me to get there. In my work, I want to create something I’m proud of. Art is a powerful medium and I like to create a piece of work that triggers a feeling and means something.”

Images from Matthew’s graphic novel

“I love the excitement of creating a picture or moment out of nothing” GUILLERMO GARCIA CARSI, DIRECTOR, ZINKA STUDIOS, MADRID

GRADUATED 1999

“After leaving the University College, I started working for a Spanish Cartoon Network channel and then on the pre-school series Pocoyo. In June 2009 I started my own studio in order to get my new projects off the ground. My proudest moments have been winning BAFTA and Annecy awards for Best Animated Series with Pocoyo. The best thing about the job is trying to make people empathise with my characters and the stories I tell. I enjoy finding new ways of animating and giving personality to characters.” Opposite: Artwork and still from Pocoyo Below: Stills from Doomed, a new series Guillermo is working on.

“My proudest moments have been winning BAFTA and Annecy awards for Best Animated Series with Pocoyo” RICHARD HAYNES, ANIMATOR

GRADUATED 2003

“I knew I always wanted to work for Cosgrove Hall; it was a dream I had kept alive since childhood memories of watching The Wind in the Willows and Danger Mouse. I approached one of the producers at Annecy in 2003 and was later offered a job as trainee stop-motion animator. This resulted in five very enjoyable years at Cosgrove Hall working on Little Robots, Fifi and the Flowertots, Rupert Bear, Roary the Racing Car and Postman Pat: Special Delivery Service, and finally as a member of the core creative team. I later worked for Aardman on , and I am currently animating on their forthcoming feature film, Pirates! due to be completed in 2012. I am very proud to have worked for two of the most prolific animation companies in the UK and to have played a part in bringing joy to millions of children and adults alike.”

Richard working on Postman Pat “I am very proud to have worked for two of the most prolific animation companies in the UK...” ANIMATION FESTIVALS ANIMATION SYMPOSIA UPDATE 2011 ACCOLADES 2010 – 2011 RECENT AWARDS

Graduation Graduate James Norman won have been entered into Best Game and Gameplay the following festivals: at the GAME British Academy Video Games ANIMABASAURI-ANIMABASQUE Awards 2010 for his work on Bilbao-based animation festival ANIMABASURI-ANIMABASQUE Batman: Arkham Asylum. has selected six AUCB graduation Graduation animation animations to be entered in to the Dr Paul Ward, Senior Lecturer Karratu Short Film Section, where they Train of Thought, by Leo in Animation Production, has will compete for the 1st prize of €600. Bridle and Ben Thomas, was been selected as keynote The festival takes place from the shortlisted for both a British 1st to the 7th April 2011. The Animation Award and a speaker at Animating Realities, official festival programme a conference about animated will be released shortly. Royal Television Society (RTS) Award in 2010. It also won documentary filmmaking, due to www.animabasauri.com take place during the Edinburgh first prize in the Experimental

Film Festival in June 2011. The Animation category at conference aims to bring together REDCAT International the Animex International theorists and practitioners to Children’s Film Festival Awards, first prize in the explore the recent surge of A number of graduation animations have Super-Short category at the animated documentaries through been entered in to this yearly festival, Skepto International Film which takes place in the Walt Disney Festival and ‘Best 19 – 25 interdisciplinary discussion. Concert Hall complex in downtown Animation’ at the BFI Future www.edfilmfest.org.uk Los Angeles. Audiences at REDCAT are large and enthusiastic, and it is frequently Film Festival, London. The Animation Symposium held at the attended by film industry insiders. AUCB in March 2010 was a resounding 26th March and 27th April 2011. Graduation animation success, with contributors attending Lullaby, by Nick White and from all over the UK. The day covered www.redcat.org/event/childrens-film-festival a wide range of animation topics and Emma Neesham, won a offered a combination of academic RTS Student Television papers, presentations and discussion from RiverRun International Award in both the regional industry professionals and practitioners. Film Festival and national categories. Speakers included Mark Cass (Escape Graduation animation Perdus has Graduation animation Pure Studios, London), Tom Barnes and Richard been chosen for entry into the Haynes (Aardman Animation, Bristol), Chris RiverRun International Film Festival, Funk, by Marc Adamson, Gunningham (King Rollo, Honiton) as well which takes place from the 8th to Simon Ashbery, Hozen as academic speakers presenting their 17th April in Winston-Salem, Britto and Noriko Umemura research: Dan North (Exeter University), North Carolina, USA. Bella Honess Roe (Sussex University) and has been shortlisted Paula Callus (Bournemouth University). www.riverrunfilm.com for the RTS Student Topics included puppet films, documentary Television Awards 2011. animation and animated films from Africa. The symposium was part of the Screen Studies South West initiative to encourage research in the region. Below left: James Norman Below right: Train of Thought Bottom: Lullaby GLORY AND DREAMS IN ANIMATION INTERNATIONAL LINKS INTERNATIONAL

Five years ago, the “This amazingly Animation Production successful project course set up a partnership with Glory ‘n’ Dream has provided Digital Animation Studio in Nanjing, China. After our Animation the success of the first student work placements students with a in 2006, a further 12 valuable experience students were engaged in pre-production concept which has already design on animated feature film Back To The Sea. enhanced their This gave the film a vital injection of fresh design ideas, whilst two career prospects” of the film’s main characters were designed by students Alex Ward and Ben Thomas. When production stepped up in 2008/9, six University College graduates were called to work provided our Animation students with a on the production stage of the film as valuable experience which has already animators and background artists. In enhanced their career prospects. early 2010, the course was successful in obtaining funding from the British Back to the Sea is now in post-production Council Prime Minister’s Initiative 2 (PMi2) in Nanjing, Vancouver and Los Angeles to send 10 students to the studios in and is due to be screened this year. Nanjing and Shanghai for a one-month Glory ‘n’ Dream Studio plan to continue work placement. In addition, two of this flourishing partnership on their our international students benefitted second animated feature film due from a one-month placement. This to start pre-production soon. amazingly successful project has

Aya Suzuki, 2005 Animation and Paprika. Building on her career Alumnus, is now working for the as an animator for Sylvain Chomet’s recent production The Illusionist, high-profile Japanese animation Aya is forging ahead within the Anime studio Madhouse, in Tokyo. industry at this prolific studio. She is currently animating on forthcoming The studio has created such production The Dreaming Machine. productions as Tokyo Godfathers A selection of stills from Back to the Sea PETER PARR, PROFESSOR EMERITUS

Professor Peter Parr is a teacher which is both student-focussed and and arts practitioner of the industry-related and surely these are the assets of an enduring, relevant highest calibre. His practice and outstanding higher education. reveals a natural, personal Certainly, students think so. modesty, but it conceals the There is a Facebook site called The enormous impact he has had Peter Parr Appreciation Society. It upon generations of students he has 180 members and still counting. Quotes include: “Peter Parr has been has taught and the professional the living embodiment of the animation worlds of illustration and course and a fantastic tutor for me. animation to which he has made I am inspired by this chap who has such significant contributions. shown more enthusiasm and energy than the youths in our class. He has His professional journey has taken led by example and I can only hope to him through commissions as muralist emulate his achievement.” “To the man for the Royal Opera House, the Royal that can act as a flag and brings pencils Shakespeare Company, the English to life. Peter Parr we salute you.” National Opera, the Royal Danish Opera Peter is recognised internationally and the National Theatre. His sets for as the most renowned teacher of the Lloyd Webber musical Evita were “Peter Parr has animation in the UK. He has been a Jury distributed worldwide. As an Animator member at the Ecole Superieure des and Title Sequence Designer his credits been the living Arts Graphiques, and the Hiroshima include work with the BBC, Yorkshire Festival of Animation. Collaboration with Television, HTV, King Rollo Films and Walt Disney brought to Bournemouth embodiment of the numerous other production companies. the most distinguished symposium of animation course and Peter received the British Interactive animation, and his indefatigable work Media Award for Design and Visualisation on behalf of the University College and his contribution to teaching was internationally has established a series a fantastic tutor for recognised in the award to the AUCB of collaborations to include a unique of the Queen’s Anniversary Medal for programme for our students as interns me...he has led by outstanding work in animation and film. at the Nanjing Film Corporation, Varga Peter’s talent as a teacher has produced in Hungary, Dibulitoon Studios in Irun example and I can one of the most successful and in Spain and Animax in Prague. influential global Alumni of animators, Peter’s association with the only hope to emulate some of whom you’ve read about in University College continues this publication. Peter has crafted for as a Reader in Animation. his achievement” the University College a unique course A selection of work by Professor Peter Parr “To the man that can act as a flag and brings pencils to life. Peter Parr we salute you” COMIX TOUR WITH SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA

2009 Digital Media Production by producer and BBC Radio 1 graduates Harry Bird and Sam DJ Kissy Sell Out whilst playing Hodgkiss have had an exciting year in Bournemouth and asked to which has seen them touring all join the Kissy & Ko tour as VJs. over the world with some of the Following a successful show at the biggest names in dance music. Brixton Academy, Harry and Sam were

SCHOOL OF MEDIA ALUMNI NEWS IN BRIEF SCHOOL OF MEDIA ALUMNI They have provided the visuals approached by DJ supergroup Swedish House Mafia, who recently had the for Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac’s New hit single One, and were asked to Year’s Eve Party and were spotted accompany them on their world tour.

Kissy Sell-Out

MAKING ECHOES OF THE GRADE SUCCESS

Rob Brown

Toby Tomkins, 2009 Film 2008 Film Production graduate Production graduate, and freelance film director Rob has been featured in a Brown’s graduation film, Echoes, recent edition of British was named as Best Student Film Cinematographer magazine. at the Cine Gear Expo 2010 at Toby works under the name of TJT Film Paramount Studios in Hollywood. primarily on editing, grading and visual In a successful few months, Broadcast effects. The article discusses the process Magazine selected Rob as a director for Rob with Kevin Spacey of scanning 16mm and 35mm film, and their prestigious Broadcast Hotshots colour grading the images for a more competition. Rob has also received aesthetic appeal. This procedure has a commission from the British Film historically been reserved for large post Council’s Ideas Tap fund to make a Another film, Silent Things, produced production facilities due to the cost of the £17,000 short film. Kevin Spacey was with fellow AUCB graduates Justin Brown, required equipment. Due to the recent on the judging panel and presented Nick Eriksson and John Bowen, won the advances in desktop process power, it Rob with the cheque during a ceremony New Arrivals Jury Award at the 40th is now possible to treat the images in a at the Old Vic theatre, London. International Film Festival Rotterdam. similar fashion without the expense of custom-made computing equipment. SHIFTING FILM UP A GEAR GRADUATE IS STAR OF TOMORROW

Above: David Stoddart

2007 Film Production graduate David Stoddart has been hailed as one of twelve ‘stars of tomorrow’ in Screen International, the magazine for the international film industry. David Trumble graduated from David is also an accomplished political the AUCB in 2008 and has been cartoonist going by the name of ‘Trumble’. According to the industry bible, David’s He has a weekly slot in the Sun newspaper, films show ‘a keen sense of place and making short films ever since. His drawing the political cartoon for Trevor atmosphere’. David is currently preparing latest project, The Shift, which he Kavanagh’s column, as well as others a short for Scotland’s Digicult as well as co-wrote, directed and produced in the sports and health sections. developing ideas for his debut feature. opened in 2010 as part of a red carpet premiere alongside mockumentary Beyond the Pole. Below: Still from The Shift

STOP PRESS

1989 Animation Alumnus Dean Roberts has completed his work as a storyboard artist on Disney feature film ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’.

Michael Pearce, 2003 Film and Animation Production graduate, was nominated for a BAFTA for his short film Rite. Below: Philip Townsend’s image of The ALUMNUS PHILIP Pearly King and Queen in Carnaby Street. TOWNSEND IS ‘MISTER SIXTIES’

Seminal photographer Philip Townsend graduated from the University College, (then the Bournemouth and Poole College of Art) in 1959. He then went on to document the 1960s, the decade which transformed Britain from the 1950s post-war austerity to a consumer economy in which London was the coolest capital city in the world. His images capture the people, the style and the musical revolution. The vibrant collection of images, including the Rolling Stones’ first ever photo shoot, demonstrates how close to the action the photographer was. Philip is now an Honorary Fellow of the University College and his work has been the subject of the exhibition ‘Portraits of a Decade’, in our recently re-launched Gallery.

The AUCB Gallery has recently benefitted from a major extension project which has seen an increase in exhibition space and a new café. The Gallery has a varied and interesting programme of exhibitions from some of today’s leading artists and critical writers and also shows collections on loan from other galleries and museums. For more details or for a full list of Gallery events, visit www.aucb.ac.uk/thegallery GRADUATE PRODUCES Stills from Africa United ‘FEELGOOD FILM OF THE YEAR’

1992 graduate Mark Blaney celebrated as his new film, Africa United, went on general release in UK cinemas in autumn 2010. The film, produced by Mark’s production company Footprint Films, tells the extraordinary story of three Rwandan children who walk 3000 miles to the Soccer World Cup in South Africa, using a World Cup wall chart as a map. Mark, who graduated from the University College in 1992, founded production company Footprint Films with three fellow AUCB graduates, including Simon Beaufoy, OSCAR- winning screenwriter of Slumdog Millionaire and The Full Monty.

If you are a Media graduate of the University College, we’d love to hear from you. Please do get in touch and let us know what you’re up to: [email protected] POSTGRADUATE STUDY

The University College provides a Design, Illustration, Interactive download our latest Directory unique and innovative programme Media, and Photography. and read more about MA study. of postgraduate study for those We plan to offer MA Fashion, We will be posting information who wish to engage with their Master in Architecture (MArch) about next year’s Postgraduate discipline in greater depth and and Research Degree study show on our Alumni website to enhance their potential for from 2012. in due course and hope very professional practice and career much that you will come advancement. We currently If you would like more information along to the show in 2011. offer MAs in Animation, about Postgraduate study with Contemporary Performance, us, please visit our website Costume, Fine Art, Graphic www.aucb.ac.uk where you may

All AUCB Alumni are eligible for a 20% discount for full-time MA study.