Will Becher Inspires Digital Animation Students at Bournemouth and Poole College

Digital Animation students at Bournemouth and Poole College were treated to an inspiring experience which was a virtual visit from Will Becher. He is a renowned stop motion animator and director at Aardman Animations. Known for his work in some of the biggest names in the industry, Will joined the class through online video chat for a special one hour session to share his story into his creative journey.

Will spoke candidly about his path into animation, offering stories from behind the scenes. His passion for Stop Motion shone through as he described the intricate process of bringing clay characters to life, frame by frame.  His career has been nothing short of impressive. Over the years, he has helped bring to life some of the most popular and beloved characters in animation, including Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, and Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. In 2019, Will made his feature directional debut with the Shaun the Sheep movie: Farmageddon, a film that audiences loved earning him both BAFTA and Academy Award Nominations – a testament to his craftmanship.

Throughout the session, there were chances to ask Will questions about the process of animation, character development, and what it is like to work at a studio like Aardman. Which highly encouraged our students. 

But perhaps the most exciting moment of the visit came when Will gave the class a rare and special treat – a sneak peak at two very familiar faces: Wallace and Norbot! It was a memorable moment for our students and we were very lucky to bring that experience to our classroom.

Will Becher’s visit offered more than just technical advice, but reminded the students of creativity, dedication and heart behind every point of work that you make. The session left the class excited and inspired to pursue their own paths in the industry.