From Star Wars to J.M.W. Turner: The Enduring Charm of Practical Effects in Animation

My "guilty pleasure," if you can even call it that, is less about indulgence and more about pure, unadulterated joy in the magic of storytelling. Yes, I'm the chap who’s lost himself for an hour contemplating a Rothko (to the extent that someone asked if I was ok.) As a child of the 80s I’m also deeply committed to everything Star Wars. I think the only person who didn't get caught up in that galaxy far, far away was perhaps Freddie Mercury.

My devotion to Star Wars runs deep – deep enough, in fact, that as a child I once braved near-frostbite in the back garden, meticulously reenacting the Hoth battle scene with my action figures. So, when the Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) documentary on Disney+ landed, it was an absolute treat. I’d heartily recommend it to anyone, even those who might typically prefer a Jan Svankmajer film or the avant-garde compositions of John Cage.

While I could waffle on about the genius of ILM for ages, what truly struck me, and brought such relief and joy, was their unwavering commitment to making a film or a scene work, whatever it takes.

The Ingenuity of 'Whatever It Takes'

Cast your mind back to the early Star Wars films. Remember the iconic asteroid field scene from The Empire Strikes Back? They famously used a shoe and potatoes as background asteroids! Isn't that just brilliant? It really makes you pause and think: If you can achieve the same stunning visual impact with a vegetable and your trainer as you can with a complex 3D model and a five-hour render, then perhaps, just perhaps, the simpler, more inventive solution is the way to go.

This ethos, this ingenious spirit of practical problem-solving, is something we wholeheartedly embrace at Plume Films. We believe that creativity isn’t about throwing endless technology at a challenge; it’s about finding the right solution, often the most elegant and surprising one, to bring a vision to life. It’s about the art of the possible, and sometimes, that means getting wonderfully hands-on.

Bringing Turner to Life: A Dagger Cane and Sellotape with a pool cue

This very approach was precisely what was needed for a scene in Tates upcoming Turner film – a captivating segment developed for the "Turner On The Wing" exhibition, which is set to open its doors at Tate Britain this summer, that we had the absolute pleasure of working on with the fabulous and very gifted film dept at Tate.

The sequence in question aimed to depict J.M.W. Turner’s incredible, epic travels around Europe, and crucially, his use of a cane with a concealed dagger for protection. How do you animate such a specific, historical detail in a way that feels authentic and visually compelling, particularly when working within the nuanced world of art history for an esteemed institution like the Tate?

Well, you research historical cane daggers and  you grab your sons pool ball and sellotape it to a cue to resemble a cane with a concealed dagger, and yes, you get your partner to film it, a tad wobbly, in the bedroom. (We're nothing if not resourceful, even in our own homes!) The images from that very session are a prime example of the process – sketching out the movement, understanding the object in real space, and then translating that into bespoke animation. It's about capturing the essence, the spirit, and the subtle mechanics, even with the most unconventional of 'props'.

The Power of Ingenuity in Bespoke Animation

These moments of ingenious, practical problem-solving are what truly resonate, both with us as creators and, we hope, with our audience. They prove that sometimes, the simplest, most inventive solutions are the most effective. It’s not just about what you see on screen, but the creative journey to get there. It’s about understanding the core need and finding the most impactful way to meet it.

Working with institutions like the Tate on The Turner Project is a privilege, and it constantly pushes us to innovate. It’s a true collaboration, blending artistic integrity with our animation expertise to bring historical narratives to life in fresh, engaging ways. We're proud to be part of projects that don't just inform but genuinely captivate, proving that bespoke animation can interpret and enrich even the most revered cultural stories.

If you’re a film maker, a creative, marketing manager, a brand director, or a creative agency looking for high-quality animation that thinks outside the box – we’d love to chat. We understand the challenges of conveying complex ideas with clarity and creativity, and we thrive on finding those inventive solutions.

And for our peers in the industry, we hope this glimpse behind the curtain offers a bit of inspiration. The spirit of 'whatever it takes' is alive and well, proving that the magic of animation often lies in the most unexpected of places.

From the vastness of space to the intricate world of art history, the heart of compelling animation often beats with the rhythm of ingenuity and practical problem-solving. At Plume Films, our work on The Turner Project for Tate Britain is a testament to this, showing how inventive solutions can bring even the most detailed historical narratives vividly to life.

If you're curious about our diverse range of projects and how we approach bespoke animation with a creative flourish, do have a gander at our portfolio. And to learn more about our collaborative work with the Tate, discover more about The Turner Project on our dedicated page: https://www.plumefilms.com/turner

We'd love to hear about your next project – drop us a line!