What drew you to start a career in animation?

I never planned it really, but I’d started playing around with animation as a hobby in college, and then I tried my luck at a university course, and then I tried my luck at an MA, and then I was an animator. I think it had something to do with being exposed to independent short films while I was at university. Especially anything hand drawn or made non-digitally. I’d never connected with art or film like that before, it felt so personal and unfiltered, and it moved like music.

Who were your biggest inspirations when coming into film?

I think I really got into film when I discovered independent animation and some of the more experimental stuff. I think I like anyone who tries something different and doesn’t get tied up in making things looking super tidy and ‘professional’. These sorts of films tend to have a bit more personality and heart – you see the filmmaker in them. Edwin Rostron’s Edge of Frame blog was something I was really into back when I has in my undergrad course. There are plenty of artists on there who try

interesting things. Also my fellow course mates at Farnham were probably some of the most inspiring people I’ve met to date, simply because I developed my practice alongside them. Always cherish your peers.

What do you hope audiences will take away from CRAB DAY?

I would like people to see themselves within it, and maybe think on how they view their own differences with the people around them. Or at the very least I hope they get a little joy out of watching an adorable crab.

How long did it take to animate this short?

If you include all of the development time, the film took roughly a fourteen months to make. Also, we’d come up with the film concept a year prior to production so we’d sat with it for plenty of time. I didn’t start animating anything that actually made the final cut until October/November which was 4 months before our deadline.

What does it feel like to be nominated for a BAFTA?

Weird! It’s not something I’d really planned for, I just like making films. I’m an animator too, so not particularly used to being in the spotlight. It’s given me an overwhelming feeling of gratefulness for my team and the people who have supported the film. It feels like it might open up some opportunities that I’d never really considered, so I’m excited for that. I also discovered that it’s stressful searching for a suit…

Do you have any other upcoming projects?

I might be developing something that is loosely based on Crab Day along with my writer and producer. Other than that, I also love animating independently. I found an unexpected interest in performance animation last year, creating visuals for music, so even that is an avenue I want to explore. Always open to ideas, or collaboration, tell the world! 

Allan Shepherd