'Wallace & Gromit' creators turn 50 with spook-tacular Shaun yarn

On this milestone birthday, the creators of Wallace & Gromit, Aardman Animations, celebrate their 50th anniversary with the release of the latest "Shaun the Sheep" film. The clay-animated series, which has won four Oscars, continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Set in the basement of Aardman's Bristol-based studios, a team of dedicated animators has spent the past three-and-a-half years crafting the film, "Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom," slated for release on September 18 in UK cinemas.

In a nod to Aardman's unique stop-motion technique, the filmmakers painstakingly bring to life the woolly characters and whimsical scenes. Each second of footage consists of 24 frames, each meticulously crafted frame by frame. The film's setting, Mossy Bottom farm, is brought to life through a variety of scenes, including a mad science lab and a fishing boat, all captured in the studio's dimly lit rooms.

Director Claire Rolls, who has been with the company since 1998, emphasizes the importance of capturing the illusion of movement in stop-motion animation. Each day of filming sees the team adjusting the position of each sheep, ensuring the final product appears as if the characters are alive. The creative process involves a blend of clay modeling and digital embellishments, with the hand-crafted technique standing out in an age dominated by digitalised animations.

Despite the evolution of animation technology, Aardman remains dedicated to its traditional stop-motion methods, underscoring the value of craftsmanship and creativity in storytelling. As the creators look back on their half-century journey, they continue to innovate while honoring the timeless charm of their beloved clay characters.