Lucy is a student at Sheffield Hallam University, recently graduating from BA Honours Animation and currently studying an MA in Computer Animation. She recently won the RTS Yorkshire Student Award 2023 for Animation for her film, The Night Terror - a film about a teddy battling the monster under the bed at night as the child sleeps. Lucy wrote, animated, produced, directed and edited the film.  

“Winning felt completely surreal, being surrounded by so many talented creators it was an honour to be nominated, let alone to win the award! 3D animation doesn't normally get the win, so it was a huge moment. It was a brilliant night, the atmosphere was buzzing, it was really good fun! 

“Throughout university we had been taught the entire animation pipeline from pre-production to post-production, and in my final year I chose to specialise in 3D animation, which elevated everything I'd previously learnt. Through lots of experimentation, problem solving, and feedback presentations, initial animation skills get pushed to limits that didn't seem possible before. 

“Art was something that always appealed to me, and animation was a new way to explore that medium. It was getting a call from my lecturer that decided it for me; he rang up so I could ask any questions I had, it made me feel valued before I'd even started the course. It made animation feel less daunting, I immediately knew the course would be right after that. 

“I loved the freedom of the course; we could take projects in whatever direction we wanted; especially in third year it was very self-led, and the tutors trusted us entirely to produce work.  

“We got the wonderful opportunity to work with the Enactus Sheffield programme to create a series of GIFs and videos to promote their projects using motion graphic animation, which later came in handy when I got an internship producing ‘How To’ videos for Porterdale Business Consultancy. There was also the opportunity to submit films to film festivals upon completing the final projects, trips out to the Manchester Animation Festival, and multiple guest speakers from within the industry that offered amazing insight into the profession.  

“The Academic Advisers were amazing, there were a few points when the project got tough, and it helped to have someone who understands your work get you back on your feet. Hallam's internship programme was what allowed me to get my internship, which really helped the jump from university to work feel less intimidating.  

“My tutors were so supportive, the work they put in to get us anything we needed was completely invaluable, and I wouldn't be where I am without them.” 
 
Lucy is currently working on her MA Computer Animation course. 

“I'd love to work in preproduction as a sculptor or rigging expert – the part I find most fun! - but truthfully there’s so much I love about animation, so I'm not worried about where in the pipeline I land initially.  

“Sheffield has a great night life and events cropping up across the city that made university life really good fun.” 

“The city feels safe, and being so close to the Peak District means you don't have to go far to escape city life, so there's something for everyone.  

“Sheffield has a brilliant arts scene with multiple animation and game studios, as well as being between cities such as Manchester and Leeds that also have a great deal of work opportunities in creative media.”