Introducing the Widecombe Fair project

In a little town in Devon called Widecombe-in-the-Moor, every year on the second Tuesday of September thousands of visitors come to enjoy the Widecombe fair. It is a very old tradition that can be dated back to the 19th century, which features many attractions including displays of livestock but also  a sheep-shearing competition, terrier races, rural arts and crafts and many more. 
The fair is well-known as the subject of the folk song of the same name and it is the story of that song, that we have decided to turn into and animated short film.  




This isn't exactly the first time that something like this has been done. In 1947 there was an "animated" film accompanying the song. 


I quite like the look and feel of the drawings. They are very playful but still feel quite dark and the charcoal look really lends itself to the kind of story this is but we are clearly not remaking a classic here. There is a lot of room for modernisation and making real animation rather than something that looks more like an elaborate animatic. The lyrics of the song can be found here.

The making of the film will involve everyone who is currently in the second year and we are collaborating with a few music students from the university. The College of Art and the University are working together! This is one of those things were we are supposed to feel like the two institution are arch enemies and we are defying all odds by working together but really it's just an obvious choice: they have musicians, we need music so let's work together. No big deal. 

Before the semester started I went to the Widecombe fair and took pictures which has earned me the title of researcher. We are still very much in the development phase. Character designs are up on the walls, various roles have been set. Some people are drawing horses. I am in charge of facial expressions.