Ray Harryhausen | Titan of Cinema Student Competition

Early in 2020 the National Galleries of Scotland partnered with the Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation to work with a new generation of animators. To celebrate the upcoming Ray Harryhausen | Titan of Cinema, we asked animation students across Scotland to create a short animation to promote the exhibition. Using either the Galleries, or a recognisable part of Scotland as their backdrop, these animators were invited to bring their own creative flair to one of Ray Harryhausen's iconic characters.

We were been blown away by the responses, which show that Harryhausen's influence is as strong today as it was when he was animating. Our panel of judges noted the creativity of all of the entries, but gave special mention to Gemma Rudden and Jake Thompson (City of Glasgow College), Sam Anderson (Edinburgh College of Art), and Jack Davies, Emir Hamitouche, Victoria Murray, and Adam Semple (Glasgow Caledonian University). Well done everyone.

City of Glasgow College

 

Roisin Binning (HND Creative Animation, 2nd year)
It Came From the National Galleries

Following my studies, I hope to go on to work within the creative industries and animation sector with a specific focus on 2D animation.

Rachel Brown (HND Creative Animation, 2nd year)

Pegasus and the Kelpies

Going forward I would like to pursue a career in the creative industries, such as the gaming industry. More of my projects are on Instagram.

Laurie Mcilwraith (HND Creative Animation, 2nd year)

Skeletons in Glasgow

My course has given me the opportunity to better my skills, and gain new ones which have allowed me to begin growing an artistic career where I hope to explore many creative areas.

Gemma Rudden (HND Creative Animation, 2nd year)

Creatures on the Art Bus

Right now I’m experimenting with evolving my art style and creating story-driven concept art for my own project. It’s still in the murky early stages to know where I’m going with my career. Follow me on Instagram.

Tobi Ayobami & Jordan Ferguson (HND Creative Animation, 2nd year)

Beware the Creatures of Harryhausen

I’m Tobi Ayobami, 21. I'm hoping to learn more about becoming a Creative Director where my creative and leadership skills can truly shine. I enjoy team working with each person bringing their unique skills and attributes to make an idea reality.

My name is Jordan Ferguson. Following my studies, I hope to go on to work within the creative industries and animation sector with a specific focus on 2D animation.

Jake Thompson (HND Creative Animation, 2nd year)

Edinburgh Under Attack

I like to experiment with the dynamics of traditional drawing skills and materials, including charcoal and cutouts, for my 2D animations. I would like to become either a freelance 2d animator or graphic novelist.

Erin Smith (HND Creative Animation, 2nd year)

The Magestic Pegasus

With the skills I’ve learned throughout this course I hope to bring with me when pursuing my career in 2D animation. You can find me on Instagram.

Edinburgh College of Art

 

Sam Anderson

Flying Saucers Above Edinburgh

Glasgow Caledonian University

 

Jack Davies, Emir Hamitouche, Victoria Murray & Adam Semple

Skeletons on a Train

Jack Davies: Hello! I am a CG Artist from Edinburgh looking to Specialise as a 3D character and creature animator, with reasonable proficiency as a 3D Generalist/ Nuke Compositor. Passionate about animation and films, storytelling and cinematography. I have learnt from Ray Harryhausen that with great passion and dedication you can achieve what you strive for, never let the nay-sayers stop your path, do it because that is who you are and what you love!

See more work by Jack Davies

Adam Semple: I have recently graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a First Class BSc(Hons) in Computer Games (Art and Animation). I currently live just outside Glasgow after having spent the first few years of my life in Edinburgh. I grew up with an evolving passion for video games and film which ultimately led me to convert such hobbies into a career. Currently, I aspire to be a 3D animator within the CG industry.

See more work by Adam Semple

Victoria Murray: Hello! I am a VFX artist originally from Aberfeldy. I specialise in compositing and lighting but am also proficient at creating 3D environments and characters. Growing up I loved video games, and this led to my keen interest in VFX production for film and games cinematics. Having recently completed my degree, BSc Computer Games (Art and Animation) I now aspire to work as a lead compositor within the film industry.

See more work by Victoria Murray

Emir Hamitouche: Hi, I'm a Glasgow based graduate of GCU in Computer Games (art and animation). After gaining experience with various areas of the CG and video game production processes, I became more passionate about visual effects and storytelling, which lead me to specialise as a compositor. I currently aspire to move into a compositing role within the film industry, and reach a point, further down the line, where I can create and direct my own films.

See more work by Emir Hamitouche

 

Glasgow School of Art

Rachel McCoach & Fraser Downs

Talos Battles Arthur Wellsley

Rachel McCoach: A 2nd year on the Immersive System Design degree, I have a special interest in narrative storytelling, game design and organic 3D modelling and animation. Outside of coursework, I am currently working on building my portfolio with examples of game design within Unity, as well as creature design work.

Team O

Highland Skeletons

Olga Chatzifoti: I am a Harryhausen movies fan. Currently, I am a postgraduate student at the MSc Serious Games and Virtual Reality in GSA. I am simultaneously involved in research on serious games design methodology.

Paulina Broz: I investigate the use of VR for accessible design in architecture. I’m passionate about using digital technologies to interpret our past. In future, I hope to work in art conservation, so the project was a fantastic opportunity for me to develop my skills.

Also thank you to the following Glasgow School of Art students who assisted with datacapture of some of Ray Harryhausen’s models to enable us to produce the digital content that you see within the exhibition:

  • Rachel McCoach
  • Max Wardle
  • Olga Chatzifoti