Aardman: Shaun the Sheep The Movie – Hag & Con talk to Aardman Co-Founder Peter Lord
When you were younger – did you want to be the UK’s Walt Disney? Hag age 10
I don’t think it was (Laughs). I don’t remember having that ambition. That’s a big ambition right.
My ambition was to do something like The Wombles. That was probably the realistic limit of ambition. The world has just changed so much.
To be a story teller, an animator and make a living out of it. But the UK’s Walt Disney no.
Why did you call the company Aardman? Con age 7
Now that is an easy one to answer. It’s quite funny – there was me and Dave Sproxton. We we’re at school together. We met when we were twelve. And we’re still business partners now. So that’s a while back.
The first film we ever sold to anyone was sold to the BBC. It was only about twenty seconds long. It featured a character that looked a bit like a fat Superhero. He had the cloak and the pants outside his trousers. And we called him ‘Aardman’ – that was our Superhero. We called him ‘Aardman’. And why did we call him ‘Aardman’? Because – we thought that Aardvark was a funny word (Laughs). So we put the ‘Aard’ of Aardvark and the ‘Man’ from Superman….and he was a Superhero called ‘Aardman’ – and that’s all it was.
And then we sold the film to the BBC…..and by the way the film is technically poor. It’s ok – it’s got little jokes in it. So we sold it to the BBC – and they said ok thank you. We’ll give you a cheque – who should we make the cheque out to?
And that’s why we chose this ridiculous name. It’s funny because it means just about nothing! (Laughs)
Ray Harryhausen at work!!!
Who is your animation Hero and why? Con age 7
I would say Ray Harryhausen. Who I know doesn’t make stories but because he was inspiring to me when I was a teenager and even younger. I saw his work and I didn’t even understand how it was done then. His work in the Sixties and late Fifties – that is film magic. Genuine film magic. He alone could put incredible images on the screen. And I say alone because number one – he was the only one doing special effect like that back then. And two – because he was a one man band. He did everything himself. He made the puppets, he lit the scenes – he did the back projection. He used to do everything himself.
His single handed impact on the world and his impact on me – because I was so impressed. And having met him later in life – and found out he was an amazing guy. So him!
If you could spend one day with one Aardman character – who would it be and what would you do? Hag age 10
Oooh….that is a very interesting question. Who would be the best company I ask myself?
I would go for Morph. Although I’m gonna ask for something else. I’m gonna ask to be his scale. That’s a part of his character that I love.
I love the the fact that in the Aardman world – he’s the only one that ‘is’ the size that he appears to be on the screen. He looks five inches tall and by God he is Five inches tall.
I’d like to be down to his size and share his world for a while. My desk is a bundle of clutter and I’d love that as a landscape that you could play. I think Morph would be very good company. If I could morph that would be even better – if I could change shape. That would be superb!
Who’s your favourite Aardman character? Con age 7
Morph is my favourite character – yes. Because he’s the first I have a sentimental attachment to him.
Once you’ve completed an Aardman film – how do you celebrate? Hag age 10
That’s a good question. Well we celebrate pretty well. We do.
We try to celebrate in an appropriate style. There’s parties. There’s a certain amount of drink.
And then there’s premieres and things like that. Two things – the party’s great because it’s a chance to just relax. It’s an amazing feeling it really is. Really really emotional.
For Shaun the Sheep we did a farm party. Literally on a farm it was – it was quite a cold night in the countryside, near Bristol. It had sheep and things wandering around. It had a country band doing a ridiculous barn dance. And a horse that did a little dance. It was great.
For ‘The Pirates’ – we did a pirate theme. And I’m speaking to you now I can see on the Bristol docks our Pirate ship sailing by. There’s a thing in Bristol called ‘The Matthew’ – a Fifteenth century ship. And we sailed on ‘The Matthew’ for a party all dressed in pirate gear. That was great!
Hag and Con with ‘Shaun the Sheep’ and ‘The Pirates’ Aardman animators Will Harding and Jim Parkyn as they would have looked at ‘The Pirates’ wrap party!!!
The other thing which is so cool – is to go to a big premiere. Because everyone’s worked so hard – and haven’t seen it at all. They don’t want to. They often say I’m saving it up for the premiere. They haven’t even seen much of it as it was being shot. They certainly haven’t seen the finished film. They’re waiting for the premiere and then you see it, with all your friends in a big cinema with a live audience – who are enjoying it.
That is the best thing!
That’s why we do it. We are entertainers – we want to make a marvel, we want to entertain an audience and make then laugh. And when you see that – that’s the best thing!
Con at the Shaun the Sheep Premiere – CLICK HERE!!!
Aardman: Shaun the Sheep the Movie out on DVD, Blu-Ray and Digital Download 1/6/15 – Review CLICK HERE!!!
