Middlesex Animation Retrospective Introduction

 

Since the early 1980s, graduates from Middlesex University have gone on to become some of the biggest names in the UK animation scene. Famous alumni include Oscar nominated animator Joanna Quinn, Aardman director Luis Cook, Peppa Pig creator Neville Astley, triple BAFTA nominated stop motion director Osbert Parker and award-winning experimental animator Ruth Lingford. In 2009, the animation department became a fully-fledged Animation degree and thanks to massive investment by the university is now one of the best equipped courses in the country.

 

The BAFTA winning academic team includes Robert Bradbrook, Osbert Parker, Jonathan Hodgson and Suzanne Buchan all of whom are internationally renowned authorities in their chosen fields of animation, combining teaching with world class professional practice and academic research.

 

Central to our course philosophy is teaching our students to understand the importance of formal and conceptual experimentation. In addition they receive a comprehensive grounding in drawing, animation techniques, software skills, storytelling, film language, research and theory. This intensive curriculum enables students to develop creatively, finding their own vision as artists whilst equipping themselves with the essential skills and knowledge to establish themselves as professionals in today’s diverse and highly competitive animation industry.

 

Mdx Animation is still a young course, but already our students’ films are winning accolades at animation festivals all around the world. We are very proud of what Middlesex animation students have achieved and this program of films showcases some of the best work produced so far.

 

Jonathan Hodgson