The Wonderful World of Puppet Animation: Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, and the Magic of Stop Motion

The iconic duo Wallace & Gromit and the beloved Shaun the Sheep have captured the hearts of audiences across generations. But how difficult is it to bring these characters to life? How do you animate them in miniature sets, give them personality, and express emotion through clay? In this festival MASTERCLASS, we’ll hear from someone who knows better than anyone: Will Becher, acclaimed British director, animator, and longtime member of the legendary Aardman studio, home to many beloved stop-motion films.

Tuesday, June 03 / 5 p.m.–6 p.m. / UTB | U4 / 60 min

In this session, Will Becher will guide us through the creative process behind the newest Wallace & Gromit film, Vengeance Most Fowl (2024). He’ll lift the curtain on the magic of puppet animation – explaining in detail how characters are crafted, sets are designed, and scenes come to life through intricate animation techniques and tight-knit teamwork, all of which are trademarks of Aardman productions.

During the festival, Will Becher will also serve on the International Expert Jury for Short Animated Films for Children, helping to evaluate the competition entries. You can find a full list of this year’s juries [here].

Will is also Stop Motion Lead at the Aardman Academy, where he mentors the next generation of animators. As co-director of Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019), he earned critical acclaim and was nominated for both an Oscar and a BAFTA. His work is renowned for its craftsmanship, humor, and deep respect for the tradition of classic puppet animation.

This Masterclass with Will Becher is part of the Zlín Industry Days program. The full schedule can be found [here].