Animation Students Collaborate with Devon & Cornwall Police

Students from BA(Hons) Animation & Visual Effects have been working with Devon and Cornwall Police to create a series of animated films that raise awareness and help prevent hate crime. The first film released, Apple, has already made a big impression.

Apple uses animation to show how people can be discriminated against because of race, religion or disability. It was produced by Falmouth students Jamie Alcantara, Erin Clarke, Naomi Benham, Jack French, Hamish Campbell and Rory Free in collaboration with diverse communities team officers PC Kevin Silver and Sergeant Jules Jamaa Ben M’Hand.

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PC Silver said: “The project with students at Falmouth University has given us some really interesting and new approaches to communicating our message. We are hoping that by encouraging people to watch the animations they will have a better understanding and tolerance to people and prevent further incidents.”

He thanked Derek Hayes, award-winning director and BA(Hons) Animation & Visual Effects Course Coordinator, “for his massive support in all the work that has been done”.

Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer agreed: “This is an excellent example of a vibrant partnership and collaboration between our diverse communities teams and the students of Falmouth University. These short films are engaging and a brilliantly creative way of conveying important messages.”

On behalf of the Apple animation team, Jamie Alcantara said:

The opportunity to work with the police on such an important topic was a great experience. It felt good helping an important cause, while also improving our skills as animators.”
 

Conscious of the potential impact their short film would have, the team “spent longer than normal during the writing phase of production” as they “wanted to be sure we were careful with the message and presented it in the best way possible.” 

The team, who worked on Apple during their second year, enjoyed the experience so much that they have continued to work together as an animation team for their third-year film. 

You can watch Apple here.

Animation team:

Jamie Alcantara – director; concept, background, storyboard and clean up artist; scriptwriter 

Erin Clarke – producer; editor; colourist 

Naomi Benham – animator; scriptwriter; musician; narrator; colourist; 3D animator 

Hamish Campbell – character designer; concept, storyboard and clean up artist 

Jack French – animator; character designer 

Rory Free – animator