'Peter and the Wolf': Stop-Motion Finds A Dark Side
Andrew Osmond chronicles the making of U.K.-based BreakThru Films and Poland-based Se-Ma-For studios dark, stop-motion version of Peter and the Wolf.
Andrew Osmond's Recent Posts
Animex 2006: Bridging Animation & Games in the U.K.
Tara DiLullo tackles the vfx commercials, which wowed viewers during Super Bowl XL, to see how the top artists scored such magic.
Plasticine Memories: Bringing 'Wallace & Gromit' to the Big Screen
Andrew Osmond chats with Lloyd Price, supervising animator on Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit, about bringing Aardman superstar plasticine duo to the big screen.
Animated Encounters 2005: The Bawdy Bristol Affair
Andrew Osmond discusses the fifth Animated Encounters Bristol festival, which may not have had any great shocks or revelations, but was a solidly mounted event, making a welcome return after a hiatus last year when the venue Bristols Watershed arts center underwent refurbishment.
Czech Animation: Two Perspectives
Czech animation is renowned for its rich heritage, even as it continues in crisis. Andrew Osmond interviews two of its leading figures on upholding a proud tradition.
Animated Encounters 2003
Andrew Osmond struggles from the crowds to report on Bristol's fourth Animated Encounters festival, with guest appearances from Ray Harryhausen and Bob Godfrey.
Lilo & Stitch Revisited: Part II
In the second part of our interviews with the creatives behind Lilo & Stitch, Andrew Osmond speaks with master animator Andreas Deja about animating Lilo, Hawaii and cartoon punch-outs.
Lilo & Stitch Revisited: Part I
As Disney's summer hit Lilo & Stitch reaches DVD, it is a strong contender for the Oscar, plus it has TV and direct-to-video sequels already in production. Andrew Osmond talks to the creators of Lilo & Stitch, Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, about their monstrous creation.
Cosgrove Hall -- 25 Years On
Cosgrove Hall, home to Dangermouse, Duckula and now Albie, is one of Europe's largest and most prolific animation studios. As it celebrates its silver anniversary, Andrew Osmond asks how the company is facing the next quarter-century.
Animated Encounters 2002
Andrew Osmond reports from Bristol on this year's Animated Encounters, starring Matt Groening, a toon Beryl Cook and Shrek in 3D.
The 2002 British Animation Awards
Andrew Osmond reports on the U.K.'s leading animated awards. What won? Who was there? Who wasn't? All this and more...
Jimmy Murakami's Five Decades of Animation
Jimmy Murakami speaks with Andrew Osmond about his five decades in animation: from California's WWII internment camps to UPA, to TVC, to independent film director/producer to directing the new A Christmas Carol feature.
The Anime Debate
Is anime the most exciting, cutting-edge form of animation today? Or does it betray the whole point of the medium? Andrew Osmond asks ten animation professionals and commentators for their views and their responses reveal that there are no simple answers.
Simpsons Mania In Britain
Matt Groening and crew traveled to Jolly Old England this summer to celebrate The Simpsons. Andrew Osmond reports on the festivities.
New British Animation On TV
According to the new issue of the trade magazine ANIMATION UK, a range of new TV productions are in preparation in Britain. HAMILTON MATTRESS is a "stop-frame comedy drama" about an Aardvark and his caterpillar companion. The director is Barry Purves, celebrated director of films including NEXT and SCREENPLAY, while the writers are John Webster and Anna Farthing. The film will be made by Harvest Animation, commissioned by BBC1, with global TV/video rights handled by Link and Egmont Animation.
Disney Puts British Gnomes On Fast Track
A British spec script about two rival gangs of gnome neighbours has been put on the fast track in Hollywood. The trade paper SCREEN INTERNATIONAL reports A GNOME'S STORY, written by Rob Sprackling and John Smith, has been acquired by Walt Disney Feature Animation and Rocket Pictures, the production outfit owned by pop star Elton John and David Furnish. The big-budget project "may use TOY STORY-esque digital effects." Disney has a first-look pact with Rocket, and is funding development on GNOME'S STORY.
Britain's Channel 4 Launches Animation Week
From September 23 - 29, 2000, the British terrestrial station Channel 4 is screening a veritable deluge of animation, ranging from the far-flung universe of FUTURAMA to the sharply-observed mundane world of POND LIFE. The only catch is most of it's being shown in the small hours, so set your video recorders. Saturday is the main night, kicking off at 9 pm with Channel 4 regular SOUTH PARK, followed FUTURAMA with a special introduction from creator Matt Groening. This is the series first time airing on British terrestrial TV.
Beyond Vital: British Festivals In 2000
With the demise of Cardiff ancient history, the U.K.'s animation crowd is springing back to life with a number of lively new events. Andrew Osmond takes a closer look at this year's activity.
Simpsons Stage Show Comes To Britain
A stage show starring the SIMPSONS voice-actors will come to this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, before going on to two performances at the London Playhouse. The show was premiered in Aspen, Colorado earlier this year. The Edinburgh performance has already sold out. Indeed, the August 14 engagement was the fastest seller in the history of the Fringe, according to the DAILY TELEGRAPH newspaper. The tickets sold in 55 minutes. The show features original voice-actors Dan Castellaneta (Homer), Julie Kavner (Marge), Nancy Cartwright (Bart) and Yeardley Smith (Lisa).
Aardman's First Feature Egg-stravaganza!
Watch out Feathers McGraw! Aardmans got a whole new flock. Andrew Osmond visits Aardman Animations as they put the final touches on Chicken Run, the studios first feature film.
