Pure play is where the breakthroughs happen. 🎨 After a busy season of structured projects, I’ve been diving back into the world of collage animation. No brief, no destination—just bright colours, software upgrades, and a bit of a rabbit hole. There is something so satisfying about these thin, etched lines inspired by vintage print.

At the heart of Eastbourne Town Hall, Plume Films is partnering with 8-bit to craft The Lookout, a wholesome new co-working residency for digital creatives. This project marks a move toward a more collaborative, grounded way of working, focusing on permanence and craft rather than transient hot-desking. We are just beginning the build, but in the near future, we will launch a dedicated website and social handles where you can explore the space and share expressions of interest. Together, we are building a professional home that keeps Eastbourne’s best creative minds right here in the community.

From the handmade charm of cardboard cityscapes to the cosmic horizons of virtual production, 2025 has been a year of beautiful contradictions for Plume Films. In this retrospective, we look back through our sketchbook of ideas, reflecting on the "slow art" of the J.M.W. Turner project, the technical wizardry of The Cowgirl, and our new immersive partnership, MARBLE. As we move into 2026, we remain committed to our boutique philosophy: crafting extraordinary, soul-filled stories through passionate collaboration and artistic joie de vivre. Join us as we step out of the darkroom and into a new year of imaginative storytelling.

For creatives, a pause in the calendar often means an exploration of new techniques. We are reflecting on the value of technical deep dives, like getting to grips with a powerful 2D animation software, and how that personal learning translates into creative reliability and quality for every story we produce.

The secret to a successful funding application? Do not rush the process. We found that by chipping away at the details, it became both thorough and enjoyable

A special look at our new film for Climate Lead. We're crafting a powerful, collaged call to arms to inspire climate action, blending handcrafted animation with live footage from Australia. A project with soul.

 Some evenings I carve lino blocks. Other nights I roll ink. Sometimes I just sit and sketch without caring if it’s “good” or “bad.” Each stage feels different, yet all feed the same thing: a love for making. Our animation work at Plume Films grows from this same spirit, slow art that leaves space for stories to breathe.

Feeling creatively stuck? Richard shares his secret: the profound impact of walking in nature on creative flow and problem-solving.

From a young age, I was obsessed with making things - scissors, sellotape, cardboard, glue….