Cambridge school wins visit from Wallace & Gromit animators
Children at The Spinney Primary School experience a Wallace & Gromit model making workshop after winning a nation-wide government competition.
The competition, set up by the UK Intellectual Property Office, aimed to inspire creativity amongst the younger generation. It coincided with the 40th anniversary of Aardman, the company behind Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, and Morph.
The competition involved:
- 4-7 year olds designing a birthday present for Shaun the Sheep
- 8-11 year olds creating a storyboard about Wallace & Gromit’s trip to outer space
- 12-16 year olds making animated videos wishing Aardman a happy 40th birthday
An entry by Esme Gray, aged 6, led to the school winning a model-making workshop with highly skilled Aardman animators for their entire class.
Esme Gray won the workshop for her class.
Baroness Neville Rolfe, Minister of State for Energy and Intellectual Property, said:
I congratulate the pupils of The Spinney Primary School for their hard work and imagination and for winning this national competition.
The UK’s creative sector makes a huge contribution to growth and innovation. I have been very impressed with the talent on show and the enthusiasm of the pupils that have taken part.
The pupils' models of Shaun the Sheep.
Merlin Crossingham, Creative Director at Aardman said:
The primary function of a present is for it to make the person receiving it feel happy. I think Timmy will feel special and will have great fun playing with it. A simple idea is often the best and I think that Esme has got this just right with her crown.
Jim Parkyn, Aardman senior model maker.
Notes to Editors
-
The UK Intellectual Property Office is responsible for Intellectual Property (IP) rights in the United Kingdom, including patents, designs, trade marks and copyright.
-
Aardman, based in Bristol (UK) co-founded and run by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, is a world leader in animation. It produces feature films, series, advertising and digital entertainment for both the domestic and international market. Their multi-award winning productions are novel, entertaining, brilliantly characterised and full of charm that reflects the unique talent, energy and personal commitment of the very special people who make up the Aardman team. The studio’s work is often imitated and yet the company continues to lead the field producing a rare brand of visually stunning and amusing independent and commercial productions www.aardman.com.