19 May 2006

Computer age christianity at degree show

A powerful, contemporary portrayal of the famous bible story of David and Goliath will be on show at this year’s degree show at the University of Dundee’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art.

Conceived and directed by animation student James Law, and developed with fellow student Iona Whytock, the three-and-a-half minute film aims to offer a fresh perspective on the ancient tale and make it more accessible to a wider audience.

James (23), who is originally from Hillsborough in Northern Ireland, was inspired by his faith and his view that Christianity suffers from a number of public misconceptions.

"There is a view that Christianity is all about rules but it is really about freedom," he said. "I wanted to communicate something of faith and do it in a dynamic way."

"I also wanted to move people, which is quite a challenge because there is almost a trap to make animation funny."

James, who won the Creative Student Award for Northern Ireland before he began his studies at Dundee, has created his film using two dimensional animation.

After graduation James wants to continue making films and work in animation. He plans to stay in Dundee, a city he now calls home. He also has ambitions to start his own studio.

"I’d like to make films with a Christian message," he said. "There aren’t too many people doing that at the moment!"

The degree show opens to the public on Saturday 20 May and runs until Saturday 27 May. It is staged within the DJCAD buildings on the main University of Dundee campus.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Images of James' work are available from the press office.

For further information contact:

Hilary McNally
Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: 01382 384768
email: h.mcnally@dundee.ac.uk