Unit 33 Stop Motion Animation: The History of The Brothers Quay and Aardman

The Brothers Quay and Aardman are some of the best animators today.

The Brothers Quay:

On June 17 1947, a pair of american identical twins were born in Pennsylvania, they were Stephen and Timothy Quay. Who are one of the most unique and original film makers today.

Both Quay brothers went to Art school at the university of Arts in Philadelphia and then went to the UK in the late 1960's to Royal College of Art in London where they set up their studio. While in Philadelphia they learnt about films and were introduced to a number of European movies which had a big influence on their movies episcally Jan Svankmajer and Walerian Borowczyk. Quay brothers created a number of short films in the UK including animations but their short films do not exist as the print was damaged.

There best known work is the 'Street of Crocodiles'. Which was their classic film which was released in 1986. There work is recognisable for their outstanding detail, the command of colour and texture, camera movement and the use of focus. Many critics would call their work surreal (meaning more a fantasy than it being real) as they would animate objects coming to life which would create a dark, moody atmosphere. This then lead on to them on winning an award for outstanding set design, due to them being experts of miniaturisation.

Source: Youtube; uploaded by Brighton cinecity; Nov 12 2008; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNOfsJz4TjA

Other films which the Brothers Quay have done are..The PianoTuner of Earthquakes (2005), In Absentia (2000), Stille Nacht 1 (1988) and Duet (2000)

Source: Youtube; uploaded by AmiraCasar; Oct 29 2008

Aardman:

Aardman was created by two men their names were Peter Lord and David Sproxton, they began animating at school and then they registered the name of Aardman creation in 1972.

They then created the animated character of Morph which was for a children program called 'Take Hart' which they created after they graduated in 1976. They also created Conversation pieces which were televised in 1982.

A new member of the crew joined them in 1985 his name was Nick Park, who they meet at Nation film and television school.

In 1986 they collaborated with director Stephen Johnson and the Brothers Quay to create a rock video which was called Sledgehammer which won many awards. Furthermore they also won the academy award for best short animated film with Lip Synch in 1990.

The awards became flying in afterward as they as they won an oscar for the "The wrong trousers" which then became one of the most successful animated films ever winning over 30 awards in 1993. They also won an oscar with the film ' A close shave' in 1995 and a BAFTA for stage fright.

In June 2000 Chicken run was released which was the first full length theatrical feature film, this was funded by DreamWorks. It was grossed in the box-office for over $220M worldwide.

Source: Youtube; uploaded by Chellon88, Feb 3 2009

Wallace and Gromit was next to be created in 2002, which was a series of 10 x 1 minute films, which was later shown on BBC 1. Leading on from the success of the 1 minute films they didn't to create their first feature film of Wallace and Gromit 'The curse of the were-rabbit' in 2005. Which lead on to winning an Academy award and a BAFTA for best British film, it was top of the charts in both the US and USA.

Flushed away came next in November 2006 which was the studio's first CG film. Then came along Shaun the Sheep in 2007, a children loved program about a sheep which got up to tricks when the farmer wasn't looking which still carries on to today.