Darren Walsh (Director)
Encyclopedia
Darren Walsh is an award winning director, animator and writer using stop frame animation, live action and CG in his work. He lives in London and is represented by production company Passion Pictures
having worked previously independently and for Aardman Animations.
He originally trained in animation at West Surrey College of Art and Design, where his graduation film “Oozat” (1993), using pixelation and mask animation, was broadcast on Channel 4 and also went on to win awards at both the Cork International Film Festival and the Hiroshima Animation Festival.
He is well known for devising, directing and voicing the acclaimed comedy series Angry Kid
. It features the misadventures of an animated teenager who is continually aggravating his parents, younger sister and friends. Angry Kid was commissioned by the BBC and produced at Aardman Animations
winning numerous awards including Best Animated Short at the World Comedy Short Film Festival, Toronto in February 2003. As well as two Angry Kid series he has devised and directed an Angry Kid half hour special entitlted Who do You Think You Are. In addition to the two Angry Kid
series, he also directed commercials, title sequences and broadcast idents for both BBC Television and Channel 4 before moving to London and joining Passion Pictures in 2003.
Walsh is also known for his award winning commercial direction. Since joining Passion Pictures in 2003 he has directed campaigns for Comparethemarket.com
, Sony Bravia “Play-Doh”
(with Frank Budgen at Gorgeous Enterprises), Peperami, Specsavers, BBC iPlayer, Duracell and National Express Trains. Aleksandr Orlov
, the Russian meerkat character was designed and brought to life by Walsh for Comparethemarket.com. Walsh has directed all of the TV advertisements for the campaign. This award winning character now has 750,000 fans on Facebook.
In Campaign’s 2009 annual survey of the commercials industry Walsh was listed third in the Top 10 Commercials Directors and top in animation.
His animation direction on Sony Bravia “Play Doh” (live action directed by Frank Budgen at Gorgeous) where hundreds of plasticine rabbits take over Manhattan won Best Animation at the 2007 D&AD Awards. The Compare the Market campaign swept the board at the 2010 British Television Advertising Awards
winning one silver and three gold awards.
In total his commercials have picked up over 50 industry and animation awards since 2006
In July 2011 Darren Walsh was awarded an honorary MA from University of the Creative Arts, Farnham http://www.ucreative.ac.uk/news/2011/july/darren-walsh
Walsh is currently focusing on a feature project.
http://www.ucreative.ac.uk/news/2011/july/darren-walsh
BTAA Gold Awards 2010
Sony "Play Doh"
BTACA Best Animation
British Animation Awards
Angry Kid
Passion Pictures
Passion Pictures is a film and animation production company based in Rathbone Place, off Oxford Street in London's West End. They have been responsible for much of the production of the visual element of the animated rock band Gorillaz....
having worked previously independently and for Aardman Animations.
He originally trained in animation at West Surrey College of Art and Design, where his graduation film “Oozat” (1993), using pixelation and mask animation, was broadcast on Channel 4 and also went on to win awards at both the Cork International Film Festival and the Hiroshima Animation Festival.
He is well known for devising, directing and voicing the acclaimed comedy series Angry Kid
Angry Kid
Angry Kid is a series of stop motion animations written, designed, created and directed by Darren Walsh. Angry Kid was produced by Aardman Animations, depicting the mini-adventures of a troubled 15-year-old known as "Angry Kid"...
. It features the misadventures of an animated teenager who is continually aggravating his parents, younger sister and friends. Angry Kid was commissioned by the BBC and produced at Aardman Animations
Aardman Animations
Aardman Animations, Ltd., also known as Aardman Studios, or simply as Aardman, is a British animation studio based in Bristol, United Kingdom. The studio is known for films made using stop-motion clay animation techniques, particularly those featuring Plasticine characters Wallace and Gromit...
winning numerous awards including Best Animated Short at the World Comedy Short Film Festival, Toronto in February 2003. As well as two Angry Kid series he has devised and directed an Angry Kid half hour special entitlted Who do You Think You Are. In addition to the two Angry Kid
Angry Kid
Angry Kid is a series of stop motion animations written, designed, created and directed by Darren Walsh. Angry Kid was produced by Aardman Animations, depicting the mini-adventures of a troubled 15-year-old known as "Angry Kid"...
series, he also directed commercials, title sequences and broadcast idents for both BBC Television and Channel 4 before moving to London and joining Passion Pictures in 2003.
Walsh is also known for his award winning commercial direction. Since joining Passion Pictures in 2003 he has directed campaigns for Comparethemarket.com
Comparethemarket.com
comparethemarket.com is a UK price comparison website that is part of the BGL Group. The site aims to help consumers compare the market to find the best price and deals for them on a range of insurance products...
, Sony Bravia “Play-Doh”
Bravia
Bravia can refer to:* Sony BRAVIA, a range of televisions* Bravia , an airline* Bravia , a Portuguese vehicle manufacturer...
(with Frank Budgen at Gorgeous Enterprises), Peperami, Specsavers, BBC iPlayer, Duracell and National Express Trains. Aleksandr Orlov
Aleksandr Orlov (meerkat)
Aleksandr Orlov is a fictional CGI anthropomorphic Russian meerkat. He is portrayed as being of aristocratic stock, and the founder of www.comparethemeerkat.com. The character is central to an advertising campaign on British commercial television for comparethemarket.com, a price comparison website...
, the Russian meerkat character was designed and brought to life by Walsh for Comparethemarket.com. Walsh has directed all of the TV advertisements for the campaign. This award winning character now has 750,000 fans on Facebook.
In Campaign’s 2009 annual survey of the commercials industry Walsh was listed third in the Top 10 Commercials Directors and top in animation.
His animation direction on Sony Bravia “Play Doh” (live action directed by Frank Budgen at Gorgeous) where hundreds of plasticine rabbits take over Manhattan won Best Animation at the 2007 D&AD Awards. The Compare the Market campaign swept the board at the 2010 British Television Advertising Awards
British Television Advertising Awards
The British Television Advertising Awards are awarded each year at the Walker Art Center....
winning one silver and three gold awards.
In total his commercials have picked up over 50 industry and animation awards since 2006
In July 2011 Darren Walsh was awarded an honorary MA from University of the Creative Arts, Farnham http://www.ucreative.ac.uk/news/2011/july/darren-walsh
Walsh is currently focusing on a feature project.
External links
- http://www.passion-pictures.com/flash.html#page=d8
http://www.ucreative.ac.uk/news/2011/july/darren-walsh
Sources
Campaign Big Awards 2009BTAA Gold Awards 2010
Sony "Play Doh"
BTACA Best Animation
British Animation Awards
Angry Kid