10 May 2004

Archie and Joff rival Wallace and Gromit

Dundee's own rivals to Wallace and Gromit, fired in an oven given to student Craig Cameron by his aunt, star in one of the most cleverly crafted animations in this year's degree show at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design at the University of Dundee.

Archie and Joff, two fishermen brothers created with plaster, rubber laytex and plasticine were created by Craig in his student flat in Dundee. A friend and fellow animation student in Duncan of Jordanstone's School of Television and Imaging helped Craig carry the oven round from his aunt's house to the flat where Craig fired his characters.

"It can take a day to record between 3 and 10 seconds of the stop frame animation", explains Craig (22) from Glasgow. Craig moves the characters with their unique amusing expressions inch by inch to create his film entitled "Hopeless Endeavour".

Craig explains that Archie and Joff represent opposing characteristics; creativity and logic. They struggle to get on together until a big whale lands in their boat sending them into disarray.

For the first time this year the School of Television & Imaging presents its first graduates from the newly validated BA (Honours) courses in Animation & Electronic Media, Illustration, and Time Based Art.

The degree show opens to the public on Saturday 22 May and runs until Friday 28 May.

By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk