Aardman Animations brings Gromit to the Grammar
Although Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Day Out first appeared on TV screens many years before current Campbeltown Grammar School (CGS) pupils were even born, it was a ‘grand day’ for an excited group of S1 and S2 students as they learned how to form animation models of Wallace’s famous sidekick, Gromit.
Tuesday morning’s modelling workshop was one of several organised by the Campbeltown Picture House Film Institute to enable pupils in Kintyre to learn about animated film-making from industry expert Jim Parkyn, lead model-maker at Aardman Animations, the studio behind Wallace and Gromit.
Talking in advance of the modelling masterclasses, Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, said: ‘What an amazing opportunity for pupils to learn from one of the most well-known and creative animators in Britain.’
Ellen Mainwood, manager at Campbeltown Picture House, said: ‘These workshops are a fantastic opportunity for young people to enjoy a fun and creative session. We are very excited to bring Jim Parkyn all the way from Aardman Studios in Bristol to Campbeltown to run these workshops.’
Jim explained to pupils at CGS that he has always loved art, and especially modelmaking, so chose to study for a degree in model-making and animation in Pontypridd.
After graduation, he began his career with a small animation company in Wales before moving to Aardman Animations to assist in the production of models for Chicken Run. Jim has been with Aardman ever since and has now been in the animation business for more than 25 years, creating models such as Morph, Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.
Jim was assisted by Campbeltown Film Institute’s Alasdair Satchel, himself a film-maker, theatre-maker and podcaster, during the workshops.
Jim masterfully guided the eager pupils using step-bystep instructions and handson demonstrations. As many models of each character are required in making an animated film, Jim explained the need for care and precision to ensure that each finished model would be exactly the same size. He demonstrated how much modelling clay to use for each part of Gromit’s body, forming all the individual parts before beginning to assemble the whole figure, and showing how to put expression into Gromit’s face even though he has no visible mouth.
Throughout the workshop, Jim and Alasdair interacted with the students, showing with patience, sensitivity and encouraging words, how the pupils could improve their modelling techniques and explaining how models are used in animated film-making.
In just 60 minutes, the amateur animators moulded, shaped and perfected their Gromit figurines and the satisfaction on their faces expressed delight in their modelling masterpieces.
S3 pupil Nancy McKenzie, who took part in the school’s afternoon workshop, said: ‘It was a great opportunity which was really different from what we usually do at school. I really enjoyed it.’
Grammar school art teacher Peter Lewis tried his hand at creating a Gromit model, too, and later said: ‘The workshops were a wonderful opportunity for pupils to experience a very different approach to design in a practical setting. They really appreciated receiving this expert instruction from those with international experience in the art and design industry. One pupil is very keen to develop this skill and is interested in finding summer workshop opportunities.’
Mr Lewis continued: ‘Jim and Alasdair were so professional. Their interaction with the pupils was excellent. We hope that it might be possible for them to return and follow on from the model-making with some stop motion animation sessions.’
After lunch, Jim led a second workshop at CGS, and had conducted a workshop for pupils at Drumlemble and Carradale primary schools in the morning, when pupils made models of the Shaun the Sheep and Morph, and some pupils filmed short animated sequences.
From this ‘grand day’ onwards, watching animated films will surely mean so much more for these fortunate pupils who had experienced part of the animated film-making process and had witnessed the master modelmaker at his craft.
Campbeltown Film Institute (CFI), was set up in 2019 for those aged 10 to 24 to learn about films and film-making.
Contact Campbeltown Picture House for more details and information about future events.