This was a lovely job for a very interesting and valuable organization. The International Maritime Organization helps to protect the world’s oceans and it’s seafarers as they move 12 billion tonnes of freight annually to every continent on earth.

Alasdair and Jock had previously created a short for the organization that promoted the Day of the Seafarer. Knowing the client Al and Jock took on this project that was to highlight how the IMO specifically protected the ocean environment. Aimed at Children aged 9-14 the short was part of an educational pack to promote conversations in the classroom.

Neither Jock nor Alasdair had created work for this age group so it was new and exciting territory. Jock notes “adapting our style to engage with such a young age group was a joyful process. Both me and Alasdair ended up putting a lot of work into the short that was not perhaps strictly necessary, but we became engrossed in the details!” For the sharp eyed there is a reference to ‘Blinky’ the three-eyed fish from the Simpsons while some of the hand drawn textures have been influenced by Japanese printed textiles. Alasdair notes “The boat went through 15 different incarnations before we cracked it” the tooting funnel was lifted straight from the early Disney classic Steamboat Willie “We wanted a boat that was not babyish or too simplistic yet would not be too realistic” Jock continues “We wanted the short to be engaging without being schoolmarmish or preachy”.

A highlight for both Jock and Alasdair was meeting the hugely talented Joanna Scanlan who provided the voiceover, she was both charming and funny and wonderful to work with. Our friend and internationally respected composer Daniel Pemberton provided a superb score that neither smacks of Blue Peter or Captain Pugwash! And as always Fonic provided the sound and mix.

IMO | Day of the Seafarer

Press
Animation World Network

Animation magazine eu

Attention industry

Cloudkid

Creative planet network

DesignVid

Digital Arts

Flooby Nooby

Motionographer

Notcot

Skwigly

Wowmorning

Credits
Directors: Alasdair + Jock
Animation: Stuart Doig, Alasdair Brotherston, Layla Atkinson, Lesley Dart
Illustration: Jock Mooney
Compositing: Alasdair Brotherston
Composer: Daniel Pemberton
Sound Design and Mix: Marty O’Brian @ Fonic
Whistling: Jock Mooney
Voice Over: Joanna Scanlan
Producer: Richard Barnacles
Commissioner: Karine Langlois and Lee Adamson
Client International Maritime Agency