Option: Further Study
I really enjoy studying and I have been looking at possible further educational options. The two that interest me the most are Aardman Academy’s Stop Motion Professional Course, and the Directing Animation Masters at The National Film and Television School. I attended both online open days to learn more.
I love the sound of both of Aardman Academy’s in-person courses in Bristol. I think that the Stopmotion Professional one would be really beneficial for me as it is a 5 week intensive course, with a small group size. You get to work with special Aardman human puppets/armatures and replacement pieces, do a different animation task each week and get feedback along the way. They said that they also run this course for their staff members because it is so important. The course is run by Will Beecher.
The NFTS Directing Animation masters degree offers access to incredible equipment, studios and collaborators. The first year is about using play and experimentation to get ideas and explore different techniques. The second year is about development and making your final film. However, I’m not sure if another two year course is right for me.
Further study would allow me to spend more time on a specific project, hone my craft and work on time management skills. However, I would love to be able to get a job and I think it is important for me to put myself out there more and have some confidence in my abilities.
Open Day Screenshots
Option: Teaching
Teaching is another area of interest. I was a graduate teaching assistant in BA Graphic Communication Design at CSM in 2019 (after I graduated) and I have also worked with UAL insights in the past. I would be very interested in being a GTA for MA Character Animation. I could bring a lot of advice and help with technical support for stopmotion students.
Option: Ceramic Future
I have rejoined my pottery studio in Crystal Palace to prepare ceramic characters for the 2025 Christmas markets. This period is my busiest and most successful time to sell my work, as they make good Christmas presents or ‘Secret Santa’ gifts.
I also need to get back in touch with the UAL ‘Not just a shop’ shop. My work was excepted last year, but there was a pause as I didn’t have enough time to make the stock for the original planned release.
Examples of my Ceramics
I currently stock a selection of ceramic creatures in a shop and event space called Pexmas, in Brixton. As an artist there I also have the opportunity to run workshops which is something that I will explore after graduating. I would like to run a model making and simple stopmotion workshop, which could be achieved with low costs using simple object based animation and plasticine.
Pictures of Pexmas shop in Brixton Village and my ceramics with their names and stories.