Mail
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
2
Full TV and
satellite
Man’s
listings
world:
Exam
time
Monkey Boy hopes
for the big screen
A full page of cartoons, puzzles and crosswords

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Mail2
Lifestyle
(IRN 512206)
ANIMATION is more than just a hobby to Ashley Stringer. It is
his great passion in life.
He has dedicated himself to bringing characters to life ever
since he was a small boy - using ever more sophisticated
techniques.
Reporter MARK PAYNE spoke to him about his love for
animation.
Toons are a way Some of Ashley’s
drawings for his new
film The Dive
of life for Ashley
ASHLEY Stringer has always known
has created everything you see on
amazing to watch.”
what he wanted to do.
screen from scratch, rather than
In his films, Ashley places great
Create cartoon characters and bring
adapting pre-existing character models.
attention to the emotion of a character
them to life.
He said: “I love animation. It is such a
weaving in humour influenced by
Since he was five, Ashley has gone from
strong passion. I just love how you can
everything from Laurel and Hardy to
experimenting with simple flip book
bring something inanimate to life.
Family Guy.
cartoons to creating complex computer
“I will wake up and start animating
He explained: “Things like body
generated films.
pretty much straightaway and carry on
language and facial expression all add to
Ashley, 21, said: “I would spend hours
until about 2am.
the emotion of the piece.
drawing cartoon characters and making
“Every day I am thinking of new
“If everything about a character is loud
flip book of simple animations as
animations and writing them in my
there is no subtlety and everything will
my drawing skills improved I began
notebook.”
look the same.”
drawing cartoon versions of my family
Like it’s hand-drawn predecessor,
and friends.”
Ashley posts examples of his animation
computer animation can be a slow
on the internet under the nickname
Throughout school, Ashley always
process with films of just a couple of
Monkey Boy in a nod to Hartlepool’s
found himself leaning more towards
minutes taking up to a year to complete.
monkey-hanging legend.
subjects like art and computers due to
Ashley always starts with a script
having dyslexia.
before drawing story boards – a cartoon
He cites studio Pixar, who produced
the oscar-winning Toy Story, The
As he got older he chose courses he
strip version of how the film will look
Incredibles and Finding Nemo films, as
felt would help him reach his goal of
– before designing the characters and
becoming a professional animator.
set in detail.
his idols.
And developments in computer
And he constantly takes photos of facial
As well as his university mentors and
technology over the years have allowed
expressions, poses and everyday objects
support from his family, Ashley has also
him to experiment with animation in
to help the animation look realistic.
had the backing of DJ Nicke, a former
ever more exciting ways.
Disney animator from Los Angeles, who
He added: “One of the most important
has worked on films including Happy
Ashley is currently in the final year of
things for any animator is life drawing.
Feet and Chicken Little.
a four-year course in digital character
It’s through understanding the human
animation at Teesside University, in
anatomy and its movement that creates
DJ got in touch with Ashley through
Middlesbrough.
stronger animation.”
an internet animation forum and for
the last couple of years has provided
The course has taught Ashley the most
Then, using special computer animation
invaluable advice and tips.
important principles of animation and
software, he sets about creating the film
seen him create a number of computer-
one frame at a time.
He has got a conditional job offer
generated films.
It takes 25 frames for every second of
with Arcus Studios in Newcastle who
produce animation for BBC children’s
They include a two dimensional cartoon
animation.
of a man trying to escape over rooftops
programmes.
The general principle of animation,
and one featuring a 3D character in a
however, is still the same as it always
But Ashley’s ambition is to travel to
padded cell pondering who he is.
has been.
America and help make blockbusters
And his latest 3D short called The Dive,
Take a series of slightly different images
that pack in cinema audiences.
still in progress, is shaping up to be
and string them together making them
He said: “It’s been my life ambition to go
Ashley’s most polished piece of work
appear to come alive.
to America and be a lead animator with
yet.
Ashley said: “I love the freedom you get
someone like Pixar or Dreamworks.
It tells the story of a nervous French
from 2D animation. It lets you do much
“Getting there is the hard part but I will
man preparing to jump off a diving
more wacky things.
keep working until I do.”
board at a fairground.
“However I really like the finish of 3D.
See examples of Ashley’s animation at
For it Ashley, from Brierton, Hartlepool,
It just has this glow about it which is
his website www.mbanimations.com

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Document Outline

• animation p1.pdf
• Animation.pdf

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