Today was probably the most interesting lecture thus far as an experienced animator, Tim Searle, had come to discuss the UK animation industry. Firstly, having not known Searle by name, it was amazing to discover that he was behind the well-known opening title animation of the panel quiz show: Have I got News for you.
Currently working on the Horrible History animated series, Searle has been behind (or part of the production team) on a number of British animated projects – including a George Michael music video (Shoot the Dog), I am not an Animal and 2D TV. It wasn’t specifically discussed, but Searle’s lecture did highlight how commissions are both the most important prospect for a commercial animator and can also be the proverbial rug that can be pulled from under their feet. For example, despite being hugely popular with an audience of about 7 million, 2D TV’s commission was dropped when due to a switch in scheduling (to Monday night) as those numbers dropped dramatically. I am not an animal suffered a similar fate.
Despite this, Searle remains positive about the state of the UK animation industry, especially since he has worked with, and has aided the development of several ‘up and coming animators’. Furthermore at points in the lecture, he showed the works of several young talented animators of which he has much respect for. Searle also highlighted how important Comic timing is to a good animation – pointing out a student’s ‘astronauts’ animation as a good example of this.
One inspirational figure to Tim Searle has been John Halas. Tim showed the following quote, just to emphasize this:
“Animation is the most contemporary form of human expression, combining the elements of motion, Storytelling, Sound and Space”
Having been working with animation for several weeks now, even at the most basic of stages, it’s clear how much an animator does have to understand all of those elements mentioned in the above quote. Expression, motion, storytelling, sound and space – all of these have to be purposely constructed by an animator. Tim Searle’ visit has been a great insight into how fickle the world of animating is (but having been studying the Games Industry, they both share that feat) but at the same time, just how powerful the medium is.
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