Animation students scoop RTS award

Dylan: The idea originated from a university group workshop, where I met my (soon-to-be) producer and we started becoming good friends. We began bouncing jokes off each other, discussing pitch ideas—and the title Weird Cops just had a strange appeal.

The timeframe we were given was relatively short for an animated skit. It was originally proposed as a 1:30 minute piece, but we ended up stretching it to around 2:30 minutes during production. The film took roughly five months to complete (from January to May), including both pre-production and production.

Being nominated for the RTS Student Awards for Devon and Cornwall felt surreal — cool, but definitely a strange feeling! Especially as this was our second-year film. It gives us great hope for our third-year films and what we can achieve with animation!

What were your roles on the project?

Dylan: As director, I saw the project as an opportunity for growth and experimentation with our team’s skillsets. I oversaw the film’s aesthetic, gave feedback and supported teammates with any issues.

Faith: I was the producer (production manager). My main aim was to ensure the team had a steady flow of work and that the project remained on track for the deadline — which meant lots of very boring spreadsheets!

We collaborated with several talented people from our course, forming a core team of six, and also had support from others via freelance contributions. We also worked with some brilliant students from the music course, who helped with foley, sound design and the soundtrack. 

How did your time on the Animation course prepare you for the project?

The course was incredibly helpful in encouraging collaboration both within our discipline and with other courses across the University. Falmouth’s Animation course is particularly strong in its team-based structure—teaching us from the start how to work collaboratively and understand different production roles.

We received regular feedback during weekly meetings with lecturers, who also helped us set realistic goals that kept us on track to finish the project on time.

How are you finding the Animation course?

Dylan: I’m loving every second. The people you meet are incredible — so talented and fun to work with. One major takeaway is how important communication is. People can only do their best when everyone’s on the same page and feeling good.

Faith: Studying this course has been amazing. I’ve worked with some of the most talented people I’ve ever met and done things I never thought I’d be capable of. My biggest takeaway? Make it fun. Creating a positive team dynamic makes the whole experience more enjoyable and leads to better results.

Why did you decide to study at Falmouth?

Dylan: I loved the idea of living by the sea, while studying something that meant I’d spend a lot of time indoors.

Faith: I chose Falmouth because of the Animation course’s strong focus on teamwork, which I hadn’t seen as much elsewhere. Since the industry is so collaborative, that kind of experience is invaluable.

What’s next for you both?

Dylan: I’ll start applying for jobs and, hopefully, land my first role in animation. I’d love to make something really cool one day.

Faith: I’m finishing my role as producer on our final film at Falmouth (Night of the Living Fish), then I’ll begin job-hunting and hope to work on some exciting new projects in the industry.

Find out more about the Animation BA(Hons) course.