 |
Merlin KrosigemmAnimator
Country:
 Great Britain |
Biography of Merlin Crossingham
Animator ExtraordinaireMerlin Crossingham, the renowned animator, is known for his ability to bring characters to life. With his wild and untamed hair soaring towards the sky and his fingers constantly in motion, Merlin's creativity knows no bounds. Whether it's a napkin, a bread crust, or a fork, in just a matter of minutes, he can transform them into a bird, a boat, or a fearless sailor.
Merlin's most notable work includes animating the beloved characters Wallace and Gromit in the famous film series. In late October, the film "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" will be released in cinemas across Russia. These award-winning claymation characters, created and brought to life by director Nick Park at the prestigious European studio Aardman Animations, have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. With their toothy grins and impeccable manners, Wallace and Gromit have become stars in the world of animation, attracting the attention of DreamWorks Animation.
The story of Wallace and Gromit began many years ago when Nick Park discovered their delightful pair in his childhood notebooks. What started as nameless prototypes quickly transformed into iconic figures that overshadowed the fame of Mickey Mouse, Tom and Jerry, Snow White, and the seven dwarfs. The 1983 film "A Grand Day Out" was followed by "The Wrong Trousers" in 1993 and "A Close Shave" in 1995. Their cozy English home, complete with tea and morning newspapers, was hilariously mechanized. Special devices woke them up, dressed them, fed them, combed their hair, and washed their faces. Wallace and Gromit were always in a hurry, whether it was to save poor sheep, get rid of the villainous Penguin, or, most importantly, to taste their favorite cheese, even if it meant disguising it as an appetizing piece of the moon.
In the feature-length film currently hitting screens worldwide, co-directed by Nick Park and Steve Box, Wallace and Gromit's agency "Anti-Pesto" saves the gardens, greenhouses, and vegetable patches of their hometown of Nottingham from the terrifying Were-Rabbit. The prestigious vegetable championship, which is now at stake, features enormous courgettes, señor tomatoes, and cucumbers comparable to intergalactic rockets. Mrs. Mulch's pumpkin is ready to challenge the Earth's oldest granny with its size.
Their precious harvest is saved by the courageous members of "Anti-Pesto," led by the radiant yet slightly unlucky Mr. Wallace and his fearless protector Gromit. First, they test an amazing invention—a vacuum cleaner that sucks rabbits off the fields and into a space-age contraption—while listening to a vegetable symphony. Then, on a fateful night of vegetable mayhem, they declare war on the Were-Rabbit. I won't reveal the true identity of this hellish creature as I don't want to spoil the excitement of experiencing genuine family cinema, a rarity in our theaters. I guarantee that the animation quality, humor, drama, and direction are truly English.
During the "KROK" festival, our correspondent had the opportunity to speak with the leading animator of Aardman Animations, Merlin Crossingham. The world of animation is often a mystery to audiences, but Merlin sheds light on the process. He compares an animator to an actor, except that they act with pencils and paper, paints and celluloid, puppets and clay. In the animator's room, mirrors are abundant, and before bringing characters to life, they make all sorts of silly faces, jump around, and crawl on the floor to capture their movements on film. Merlin himself resembles his characters, with his hair shooting up towards the sky and his fingers constantly in motion.
Merlin played a crucial role in animating Wallace and Gromit in the famous film series. When asked about his involvement, he shared that he had been part of the project since 2000. Prior to that, he worked on animating Rocky the Rooster in the film "Chicken Run." Wallace and Gromit are not just ordinary animated characters; they are superstar celebrities. Merlin's task was to preserve the essence of these beloved characters while introducing new qualities to their behavior and appearance.
He explains that he has many tools at his disposal, such as facial expressions, which allow him to create a whole range of emotions. Additionally, the movements he creates for the characters are often impossible for actors or stuntmen to perform. When asked about his introduction to Wallace and Gromit, Merlin reminisces about being a student at the Animation School of South Wales and attending the English premiere of "The Wrong Trousers" during an animation festival in Cardiff. The characters had captivating "faces," making them feel like childhood friends. Little did Merlin know that their paths would cross in reality.
Full-length animation films are primarily commercial and geared towards box office success. Were you concerned that the charm and uniqueness of the short films featuring Wallace and Gromit would be lost in the Hollywood machine? After all, DreamWorks Animation certainly had an influence on your work.
Merlin confidently dismisses these concerns. He reassures that they made every effort to maintain their British humor. When their American partners tried to introduce American jokes, gags, and dialogues, they resisted. According to Merlin, British humor is more subtle and multifaceted. He shares an example of a scene where Wallace and Gromit are speeding down a bumpy road. Wallace, who is in the passenger seat, pleads, "Slow down because now you're going to smash...". He utters a nonexistent word that implies a combination of a car part and a body part simultaneously. The Americans insisted, "Name the body part! The audience won't understand!" However, after seeing the entire film, they had no more objections. They appreciated what they had accomplished.
When asked if the film will be better understood in England as opposed to other countries, Merlin explains that the first film about Wallace and Gromit was specifically made for the British audience. However, subsequent films were created with international viewers in mind. He acknowledges that there may be spectators who do not appreciate British humor and may not even crack a smile. But they aimed to work on multiple levels, preserving British specificity, appealing to people all over the world, and relying on visual storytelling to overcome language barriers.
Merlin is asked about his experience bringing Wallace and Gromit to life on the screen. He enthusiastically shares that he animated the main characters and the most challenging scenes associated with them. He also participated in animating other characters. Wallace and Gromit hold various meanings to him. They represent a man and his dog, but they are also two gentlemen. More accurately, they represent a man and his butler. And yes, they are a man and his dog. And they are also a man and his friend. This is why their relationship is so complex. Gromit is an individual with contradictions. He is a dog and, therefore, should obey. He should follow his owner, even if he has different thoughts on the matter. Gromit is often smarter and more resourceful than Wallace but remains loyal to him, even when carrying out foolish orders. Thus, when Wallace creates a problem, Gromit always comes to his aid.
As for the future of Wallace and Gromit's adventures, Merlin reveals that they have not yet made a decision. DreamWorks Animation is eager for them to continue working on the characters, but this may have negative consequences for their studio, Aardman Animations. Negotiations are currently underway, and if a worthy storyline emerges, they may agree to continue the series. However, they are determined to maintain the essence of the already established duo.
Wallace and Gromit are incredibly famous. They are featured on television, and their franchise includes DVDs, tapes, calendars, greeting cards, and toys. Children grow up with them.
When asked if there were real-life prototypes for the English claymation stars created by Nick Park, Merlin reveals that when Nick Park conceived Wallace, he drew inspiration from his own uncle.
Lastly, Merlin is asked if he has any secrets to share about his animation process. He explains that they use a regular video camera for reference. They record themselves acting out each scene, capturing every movement and nuance. They then combine the recorded footage with voice acting. By blending the actor's performance with the visual imagery, they bring their characters to life. The voices of Wallace, Gromit, and the other characters are provided by talented artists. Peter Sallis has been the voice of Wallace for many years, while Helena Bonham Carter lends her voice to the aristocratic Lady Tottington. Ralph Fiennes transforms into the ruthless hunter Victor. Like all animators, they use mirrors to observe themselves. For example, if a character needs to express confusion, Merlin raises one eyebrow in a specific way...
With his eyebrow soaring upwards, forming a peculiar bump above his brow, and his lips stretching out in a quirky smile, the sarcastic face of Wallace, shaking his head disapprovingly, appears before me, silently asking if this interview will ever end.
