After my MA in Animation at the RCA in 2001, I did lots of self-generated projects but was lacking formal structure and deadlines. I had also started teaching at the University of Westminster in the drawings and workshops, up to 2008. I was combining freelance work with being a mother, and the time at home with my daughter gave me opportunity to think about what was important to me.
For my PhD, I had actually wanted to do film but animation offered a much broader scope – it’s more a way of thinking. The other element that interested me was tactility. Using a lot of software, there was frustration at not being able to use my hands – it was all virtual reality. I started to look into this before my PhD. It was a natural progression to continue with this.
My research is concerned with how to bring tactility into the medium of moving image or audiovisual material. You’re not bringing tactility in directly, but by association, triggering body memory by audiovisual means.
While I was working on my own, I was quite isolated, so one of the first things I realised was that I had to build up connections and a network. That’s also the difference between an MA and PhD. You organise your own screenings, workshops and make your own network happen. Since then, I’ve set up a network for artists of different disciplines that has let me identify fellow students interested in tactility.
In the first year, I got some financial assistance, maintenance and half my fees paid by the College bursary. When you reach PhD level, though, you’re no longer eligible for this. There are lots of people who come to the College to share their experience of funding themselves through charities or grants, which gives you ideas. I was also working and teaching throughout my studies, which helped my financial situation.
I’m now hoping to apply for a grant for post-doctoral research to promote RCA research culture. I’m also active through events and art installations, showing in galleries or at film festivals. Rather than waiting for opportunities to happen, you have to make them happen. It’s important to be self-motivated and not to wait for external guidance. You’ve got to make the most of the amazing departments and resources available here – and to enjoy what you’re doing. What made it easy for me is that I have really enjoyed the whole time.
Before I came to the RCA, I was working in Ireland as a character animator on television shows and short films. I’d studied on a four-year animation degree in Dublin.
Initially, I was really impressed by the kinds of films I saw coming out of the RCA animation department. There’s a strong history of great short film making on the course, and they were just the kind of films I loved to watch. After chatting to some people who were on the course and then attending the open day I was convinced it was the right place for me.
As animation is such a specialised field there is only a small pool of MA courses out there. When comparing courses I was attracted to the freedom the RCA offered and the sense that I would be encouraged to explore my own interests. I was drawn to the experimental nature of the programme and its output. I think the programme has a strong sense independent film making at its heart. It was exactly what I wanted.
On our first day the first person we met from the department was Victoria Manifold, the department administrator. She greeted each one of us by name before we even knew who she was. It’s a small detail but it felt very welcoming and friendly. I remember discussing this with classmates later on and they agreed. I don’t think that this was intentional, but even that small effort to make us feel welcome really set the tone for what was to follow.
Each tutor is very different. They all make very different work themselves so naturally there are some you connect with more than others. This can be frustrating at times but the benefit is that you get wide ranging opinion of your work, and as you progress, you realise that it’s a valuable experience. I found each one to be supportive and honest in their tuition. They are also very easy going which is great. You feel like an equal and it breaks down any sense of a student/teacher divide. Everyone there is very approachable, students and tutors alike.
My graduate film is called Left. It’s a 12-minute narrative film centered on two boys growing up in a small coastal town. It’s about the choices they make as they grow up and how those choices affect their friendship. It was something that was sitting in the back of my mind for a while. It was based on some of my own experiences, and some completely fictional. To a large extent it was about me pondering what it is to grow up and leave behind the places and people you love.
I made it using 2D hand drawn computer animation – much the same as you would approach frame-by-frame animation. Throughout the final year I worked with a small team of people. It was the most challenging short film I’d made to date. There were seven speaking parts in it, for example. This meant directing voice actors ranging from eight year-olds to people in their fifties. The scale of the project was very ambitious but I met some great friends throughout, which encouraged me along the way. My goal was to create an engaging and honest film, to push myself further than I had before in all aspects of the production.
My fondest memories of the RCA are the informal chats that myself and some of my class mates had at various times, maybe in the canteen or in our studios. We would discuss what we were doing and how things were going. Even though we all made very different work, I knew I could rely on them for honest views. I loved the sense that everyone was working away quietly on their films. We could all relate to what the other person was doing. I think I’ve been really influenced by the friends I made there. There was a great community spirit.
One of the best things about the College was the time and space you’re given to focus on your work and the people you meet whilst you’re there. The worst is just the expense of living in London. I’d worked the year prior to coming to the College and saved a modest amount. This helped cover my fees and some living expenses but soon ran out. As I was from outside of the UK – Ireland – I was not in the position to apply for a career development loan. I was lucky enough to be supported by my family. At certain points throughout the year I did some small freelance jobs that also helped and during the summer I interned at an agency in Soho. The money I earned there also helped.
I’m now represented by Studio AKA as a commercial director and designer. My day-to-day job mainly involves pitching on commercial and film projects. It’s a highly esteemed studio within the animation industry so I’m very happy to be in this position. I’m also developing my next film and along with the RCA distributing
Left, my graduate film, to festivals. My first year project from the RCA was also nominated for a BAFTA this year (2013) – that was quite exciting. The college has been a huge help, and I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be in this position without it.