Frame by Frame: Behind the Scenes at Aardman
Wallace & Gromit. Morph. Shaun the Sheep. Feathers McGraw. Mrs Tweedy. Aardman is the multi-award-winning studio behind some of the world’s most-loved animated characters. It has entertained the world for almost 50 years, creating unforgettable stories loved by generations. Chicken Run is the highest-grossing stop-motion animated film of all time, whilst Wallace & Gromit is an Academy-Award winning franchise. Beyond film, the studio is a leader in TV and games. Will Becher, Director and Creative at Aardman, will be hosting an exclusive masterclass at Aesthetica Film Festival 2025, offering a glimpse behind the curtain of how some of our favourite characters are brought to life. We caught up with Will for a sneak preview of what audiences can expect.
A: Take us back to the start. How did you begin working in animation?
WB: I was fond of creating things from an early age and acting in home movies with my friends. I discovered animating as a hobby whilst I was growing up – having seen a clip of somebody showing the process on TV. Animation seemed like the ideal combination of these two things – allowing me to create worlds from my bedroom.
A: Do you have a project that you’ve worked on that you’re particularly proud of?
WB: I have been fortunate to work on an incredible array of programmes and films in my 25 years in the industry and honestly, I have fond memories (and nightmares) from all of them. I think my most treasured moment was talking to Nick Park for the first time as a young graduate who had dreamt of working on an Aardman film as an animator. It was during that meeting that Nick invited me to join the animation team on Wallace & Gromit Curse of the Were Rabbit. It was a magical time in my career – as well as possibly the most stressed I’ve ever been – but the rewards of finding myself in the studio animating alongside my heroes and of seeing my work up there with the rest of the crew at the Leicester Square premiere, were unforgettable.
A: What does a typical day as a director at Aardman look like?
WB: A typical feature film in stop motion animation lasts for anything between 3 and 7 years, so it’s very much a marathon not a sprint. The shoot itself lasts about a year and involves a crew of over 150 creatives across various departments. That is a large crew to direct and involves a lot of 1:1 briefing and meetings. We shoot across 40 miniature locations all at once (with an animator working in each one) so a lot of the directors time is spent on the studio floor working through the days rushes and set ups. At Aardman, there is a culture of collaboration and although things get tense and complexities are common, the team is quick to refocus in innovate – something I’ve loved to witness over the different projects. It’s a working week of anything from 40 to 60 hours with a lot of cups of tea.
A: What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone looking to start their career in animation?
WB: I think the best piece of advice I received was to practise – and keep practising. In a talent based role like animation there is no substitute for learning through repetition and the failures are as important as the successes. Once you’ve built up a really good understanding of movement and how to control a stop motion puppet, the hard work begins as you really learn acting and performance.
A: Aardman’s characters are beloved across generations. What do you think is the secret to their enduring appeal?
WB: They appeal to me because I love their charm, warmth and humour. I also love the fact they are often models which are made by hand, the craft involved in their design is something I have a lot of admiration for. As for the generational appeal – Aardman reaches 50 years old next year – and characters such as Morph have spanned every decade of that 50 years, finding new audiences at each stage of that journey.
A: What can people expect from your masterclass at this year’s Aesthetica Film Festival?
WB: After a brief introduction to how I found myself working in stop motion, I’m going to shine a light on the production process and craft behind Aardman’s latest feature film Wallace & Gromit Vengeance Most Fowl. As the film’s Animation Supervisor I’ll be explaining how we built and trained the animation team and created some of the films most iconic scenes starring the notorious Feathers McGraw.
Words: Emma Jacob & Will Becher
Frame by Frame: Behind the Scenes at Aardman is at Yorkshire Museum on Friday 7 November | 14:30 – 15:30
Book Your Tickets: asff.co.uk/tickets
