Now we like traditional animation, and we like fancypants CG animation. But which is better? There’s only one way to find out…. FIIIIIIIIIIGHT! Or ask today’s director Ruth Barrett whose stop motion ballet for comedian Harry Hill caught our eye and gave us a right chuckle.
I studied art and design at college and I simply adore cartoons. When I decided to go to University I thought the Animation courses looked amazing. It wasn’t something that had really occurred to me before but everything about the degree seemed perfect for me. I studied traditional animation at Southampton Solent University which covers 2D, CGI and Puppet with a huge emphasis on storytelling. The tutors there were amazing and inspirational and my passion for animation just grew and grew during my time on the course.
What appeals to you about stop motion in particular?
Eeek! I could go on about this for ages!!! I have always enjoyed arts and crafts, getting my hands covered in PVA glue and generally making a mess. Stop-motion allows me to continue doing this and make films at the same time! I also really get a kick out of the limitations of the medium and finding solutions to get the shots I want. There is an animator called PEZ www.eatpes.com who animates with found objects in fantastically surreal way. Check out his video Western Spaghetti it’s really inspirational for me.
Where did the idea for turning the Harry Hill song into a ballet come about?
When I listened to the track the first time I picked up on the applause at the beginning and end of the song. It sounded like a recording from a musical performance at a theatre and I simply wanted to portray that. Being a video for Harry Hill it had to be ridiculous and surreal & I thought it would be funny to have fast food dancers to tie in with the lyrical content.
My fear of working in accounts again to pay the rent! That, and listening to and watching people, making my sister laugh, playing with stuff and drawing inspiration from physicality objects and materials. Also I eat a lot of cheese and have wildly vivid dreams.
Aside from Nugget Nocturne, what piece of your work are you proudest of and why?
My final year film from University ‘The Story of Mary Totil’. It’s a dark cautionary tale scripted in rhyming verse. I’m proud of the script and the aesthetic and it fuels my desire to make more short stories. I have made a lot of music videos recently but this film is just me.”
