Spring into Animation with Shaun the Sheep!
Sixteen days of free family-friendly activities, inspired by the makers of Shaun the Sheep, Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run, are springing into V&A Dundee this season.
In a partnership between Aardman and V&A Dundee, the first of its kind in Scotland, visitors can dive into the exciting world of stop-frame filmmaking. With the free Aardman Animator app, Animate with Aardman edutainment video series and support from the museum’s team of designers, they can explore everything from storytelling, character and props to lighting, sound and camera techniques.
Creating sets and models with everything from colourful clay and paper to toys and building blocks, aspiring filmmakers can design and bring their characters to life through animation, record their own dialogue and sound effects and speed up or slow down their animations. The events are part of a packed programme of free family learning activities inspired by different exhibitions and design themes throughout the year, supported by funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Gavin Strange, Director and Designer at Aardman, who recently hosted a session for over 40 teachers, community workers and designers at V&A Dundee, said, “Stop-frame animation is all about taking inanimate objects and moving them one bit at a time. By capturing lots of still images, each slightly different from the one before, you can play them back and bring them to life. The opportunities are endless - you can draw, doodle, make origami or form characters out of clay, whatever you want!
“While Aardman is famous for using clay, anything can be animated! Dive straight in and keep it simple or experiment and perfect things until your ideas come to life, speeding up and slowing down and bringing your characters to life through film. Animation is such a joyous and limitless medium, and also really accessible. You can get instant gratification from it, whatever your age or ability. I’d urge families and teenagers to come along, give it a go and explore what might be possible!”
Animation lovers of all ages can try their hand at designing a wonderful woolly jumper design for Shaun the Sheep, with inspiration throughout the museum, from the iconic Fair Isle sweater in the Scottish Design Galleries to the museum’s collection of books, bursting with pattern-tastic prints and collages.
Tracey Smith, Learning Producer for Families said, “We're thrilled to partner with Aardman to bring the Animate series and free animation resources to V&A Dundee and Scotland for the very first time. Inspired by their creativity, our Learning team has crafted a series of unmissable, free activities for families to enjoy over 16 days of the Spring holidays. Thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, these fantastic hands-on creative activities provide learning opportunities for families of all shapes and sizes and support our mission to spark joy and curiosity in design learning for the wider community.”
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: "I’m thrilled that players of People’s Postcode Lottery are supporting the Spring into Animation with Shaun the Sheep! event at V&A Dundee, creating exciting opportunities for families and young people across Scotland. Thanks to players, this unique partnership between Aardman and the museum makes animation both accessible and enjoyable for all, while inspiring the next generation of animators."
The drop-in events, which are suitable for all ages and abilities, will be held in the Thomson Learning Centre at V&A Dundee from Saturday, 29 March to Sunday 13 April 2025 inclusive (12.30-4.30pm daily).
Aardman is a multi-award-winning, independent studio and a world leader in animation. For almost 50 years, they have entertained and charmed audiences across the world, creating unforgettable characters and stories, including family favourites Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run and Shaun the Sheep.
For more information, visit: https://vam.ac.uk/dundee/whatson/events/spring-into-animation