Presented by Falmouth University, Animated Exeter’s THE GRADUATE showcased a selection of the best animation created in educational institutions over the last couple of years. Universities around the UK are currently producing a great deal of exciting and original works, promising a vibrant and diverse future for the UK animation industry. 

The proceedings opened with a selection of work from the National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA), which continues to champion their maxim of marrying art with science. MERFOLK by Rory Waudby-Tolley is a brilliantly realised mockumentary which deals with real social issues using a great sense of satire and tact; Emanuela Gatto’s UNDERCOLOUR is a sophisticated and powerful drama tackling grand metaphysical topics with an original and poignant aesthetic; while AZOIC and CUSTOMS aptly showcase the exciting and technically spectacular visual effects and animation work that the NCCA is renowned for.

From the Arts University College Bournemouth we see a wider variety of formats and styles. Alongside stop motion and computer animation, there is some fantastically well executed hyper-real cel animations. From the work on display here, it’s obvious to see that the university is clearly an auteur-focused institution.

… There will no doubt be some bright futures ahead for animators here, and with that comes more brilliant animation …

HOLY SHE*P, directed by Magnus Kravik & Katerina Pantela, is one of the stand out films of this student showcase, as it demonstrates a clear and considered understanding of narrative structure. It is also successfully assimilates and reproduces traditional conventions used in this hyper real style of animation that can easily lead to a tired and clichéd end result.

httpvh://youtu.be/1PEraS3n5aU

The National Film and Television School’s singular entry is the delectable JAMON, directed by Iria López. The exceptionally well-executed story is thick with metaphor and symbolism. Its urbane and witty manner is clearly the result of a well-refined preproduction process, and the animation and design works well to compliment the narrative.

The diversity of work on show here in THE GRADUATE is very exciting and has proven to be something of a consistent theme at Animated Exeter this year. Overall there is a proven ability for both technical and artistic prowess on display, with a fair few of these films successfully navigating both terrains. There will no doubt be some bright futures ahead for animators here, and with that comes more brilliant animation for audiences to enjoy.

Screen Out Loud is host to a fantastic set of films from some new and some more well established animation talent. Most notable in this selection are a number of films that forego technical immaculacy in favour of artistic merit. FOXY, directed by Stephanie Thandi Johnstone, is one such highlight in this category. Its succinct anecdotal design successfully evaluates what does and does not need to be animated in order to establish its point.

…wonderful frames negotiate the story with a serene indifference to the practices of traditional animation…

Peter Parr’s stunning SUMMER DREAM is one of the highlights of the entire festival. Parr’s masterful observation of structure and pose in the human form is beautifully presented as these wonderful frames negotiate the story with a serene indifference to the practices of traditional animation. Hand-drawn with charcoal and watercolour, and accompanied by divine of music, Peter Parr’s film is a vessel of divine artistic expression.

Max Hattler is a well regarded and prolific visual artist who creates spellbinding stop motion animations. Described as an abstract science fiction adventure by the artist himself, SHIFT is simultaneously nostalgic for abstract expressionism and refreshingly original through its application of the medium. It is a joy to see and hear this piece on the big screen, as Hattler’s voice demands full sensory attention.

LADY AND THE TOOTH by Shaun Clark, is a grisly and perplexing Flash animation about teeth and love. The film’s design is incredible, and exceedingly well considered as it compliments the narrative perfectly. The crudity in this animation is a joy to witness as it offers a refreshing change of pace from high gloss mainstream animation which replicates life without offering any insight.

httpvh://vimeo.com/37176891

In the technically astounding category, remarkable films include the magical and beautifully observed shadow play animation THEY BOTH EXPLODE. This film displays a visual poetry complementary to the ecstasies of music as the images synthesise a phenomenological experience by rhyming image and sound.

TOSH is a well-realised and assertive animation directed by Daisy Jacobs, who unleashes an attack on elitism and privilege without holding any punches. The art direction and narrative are well-executed, with a happy marriage and coordination of design and technical expertise. The same applies to THE GOAT HERDER AND HIS LOTS AND LOTS OF GOATS, which implements a distinctive retro 2D video game aesthetic to tell the story of a day in the life of a goat herder.

The selection of films at Screen Out Loud was certainly varied, however, it is disappointing that the small number of 3D computer generated contributions were quite sterile. There was none of the experimentation with the medium that was offered in other areas of the programme, and their trite narratives were unfortunately burdened with cliché.

Screen Out Loud is a showcase for some truly memorable and inspirational works which were a privilege to see together on the big screen. There were a lot of exciting ideas on display and it is a shame that an otherwise excellent selection of films had been compromised by a small number of over-familiar and conventional ideas.

http://www.animatedexeter.co.uk/