Wed 4th January, 2012
An animation graduate from the University of Bedfordshire is celebrating after winning a prestigious animation competition.
Chris Butcher, who graduated in 2009 after completed a BA (Hons) degree in animation, won the open stop motion category of the Red Bull Canimation competition this month (15 Dec).
“The whole experience was brilliant for me. I'd never really worked to a specific deadline or brief so it was a real eye-opener. I entered because I wanted people to see my ideas and I hoped that they were entertained,” said Chris.
“There's altruism in the way that I work in that no matter how difficult something may be, if I feel that the audience will smirk, let alone smile, then I won’t stop until I've achieved the shot.”
Chris believes that the animation course at the University helped him develop his skills and made him want to succeed.
“During the course you have your chance to hone your skills and develop a style of production. What the course brings to you is the desire to impress and a craving to outshine others. In all honesty, the three years at the University were the best of my life and played a massive part in shaping me as a person,” said Chris.
Animation course leader at the University, Mark Collington, said: “Chris has surpassed himself once again with another cracking piece of stop motion animation. I am really proud of Chris and all our animation graduates. As well as being talented in stop motion, 2D and 3D animation, our graduates have excellent professional initiative - building an enterprising alumni community. Several of them have set up their own companies, as well as winning national awards.”
Chris’ work will be screened as part of an 'Ad Break Takeover Documentary' on Channel 4 next year (2012). It will also appear as part of the British Animation Awards (BAA) Public Choice Tour 2012.
The BAA tour will be stopping off at the University from Wednesday, 15 to Friday, 17 February, where the latest British animation films can be viewed by the public free of charge who can then vote for their favourite.
Chris’ entry, called Inspiration From Emptiness can be viewed on the Red Bull Canimation website
Latest news» 2011» December» Chris flying high after Red Bull competition win
