Latest News
Escape into another world – Filmmakers, animators and concept artists to watch from Arts University Plymouth
Friday, 15 September, 2023 — Join us in celebrating a new wave of talented filmmakers, designers and artists from Arts University Plymouth’s Class of 2023
<p dir="ltr">Arts University Plymouth’s extensive film and media degrees offer students the opportunity to explore the fundamentals behind meaningful design, informing aspiring designers or media makers how to balance and creatively reinvent the social interface between maker and end-user. From <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-film-screen-arts">film and screen arts</a> to <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-animation-games">game art to character design</a>, Arts University Plymouth students graduate into the creative industries with the personal and professional attributes needed for a successful career.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Fresh from winning awards including from the Royal Television Society and placements with national production companies, here’s a roundup of some of the most innovative and ambitious graduates from Arts University Plymouth’s Summer Shows and Class of 2023:<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-film-screen-arts">BA (Hons) Digital Media Production</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/elsisaacmedia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@elsisaacmedia</a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Eleanor Isaac is a video editor and visual artist based in Plymouth. Eleanor joined the BA (Hons) Digital Media Production course after studying Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design: Film, Animation and Media Production at Arts University Plymouth. Her lifelong love of technology has led her to create exciting visual art and to collaborate with creatives from various disciplines in formats such as music videos, short films, documentaries and promotional shorts for social media. Eleanor has experience in broadcast and news media, interning with ITV as a junior camera operator and broadcast editor. <br /></p>
'Morality' Music Video
<p>Her personal practice explores the human themes of memory and nostalgia, through the lens of obsolete technology such as camcorders and film with psychedelic imagery and textures. Her final major project, a music video titled ‘Morality’, found her in collaboration with her coursemates, where Eleanor worked as a Director of Photography and Editor. She also edited 'Alison and Thalia', and has been selected for the Film & Screen Arts Best Post Production Award 2023, winning a placement at Twofour, Plymouth.</p>
Morality Behind the Scenes, from left to right: Eleanor Isaac, Willow Whatley, Radina Dimitrova. Photo by Faith Mackenzie.
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-film-screen-arts">BA (Hons) Film</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sleepy_dead_girl/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@sleepy_dead_girl</a></p>
<p dir="ltr">23-year-old Willow Whatley is an experienced filmmaker who has worked in a multitude of roles, from set designer to producer. Also a qualified make-up artist, Willow is attentive to detail and enjoys collaborating with others on film projects.</p>
<p dir="ltr"> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Willow has worked on a number of films this year and is intending to set up a film production company with her BA (Hons) Film & Screen Arts peers after graduating. Willow worked with her coursemates on the music video ‘Morality’, acting as Producer and Director of Photography. She was Producer on 'Magic', 'More Than Friends' and 'Cornubia', as well as writing, directing and producing her own short film 'Alison and Thalia'. She has been selected for the Film & Screen Arts Audience Choice Award 2023 and her short film will be screened at Chagford Film Festival 2023.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-animation-games">BA (Hons) Game Arts</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nathanhardy_art/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@nathanhardy_art</a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Nathan Hardy is a concept artist for video games who specialises in using creative and detailed design theories to visually bring concepts to life. His passion for designing the foundation of ideas allows his viewers to take a visual journey, introducing them to vast worlds filled with atmosphere and narrative.<br /><br />As an environment concept artist at heart, Nathan gathers information, collects images, watches videos and discusses the basis of his ideas with other creatives. Next, Nathan sketches, laying the foundation for the artwork, implementing essential characteristics and composition. Values and colours are added to help the environment express character and emotion, before developing the ideas into endless possibilities for locations for the player to explore.</p>
'Impact' by Jack Kruyswijk
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-film-screen-arts">BA (Hons) Digital Media Production</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kruys.media" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@kruys.media</a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Jack Kruyswijk is a filmmaker and producer who has been creating commercial content for over five years. He believes that creating content for clients combines two of his strongest attributes, his creative mind and technical ability. Jack likes to find the line between expressing his artistic vision and satisfying clients.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Jack’s production company, Kruys Media, specialises in producing all types of media content from professional photography and videography services to branding, marketing and advertising. From music videos and adverts to short films and photography, Jack has a passion for creating promotional materials. </p>
<p dir="ltr">During his studies, Jack was nominated for the Entertainment and Drama Award at the Royal Television Society Devon & Cornwall Student Awards for his film ‘Michael Jackson Reimagined’. Jack’s graduation film ‘Impact’ was the winner of Arts University Plymouth’s Best Production Design Award, winning him a screening at Plymouth Arts Cinema’s Open Air Cinema this summer.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-animation-games">BA (Hons) Game Arts</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/matthewvos.arts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@matthewvos.arts</a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Matthew Vos is a digital artist who strives to create works that engage and inspire his audience. His passion lies in creating concept art and comic illustrations, bringing imaginative characters, environments and stories to life. Through his art, Matthew aims to transport viewers to new exciting worlds so they can be immersed in the stories he tells.</p>
<p dir="ltr">His work is deeply rooted in storytelling, believing that whether he’s creating concept art for a game, or illustrations for a comic, his work should not only be visually stunning but also communicate a sense of narrative and emotion. Matthew enjoys exploring the relationships between characters and their environments, believing that every element of a scene can contribute to the story that’s being told.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Matthew’s ultimate goal is for his art to push the boundaries and create new stories that build off what came before, bringing new twists to age old tropes and genres to help build memorable and entertaining fiction.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-animation-games">BA (Hons) Game Arts</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/phlox_arts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@phlox_arts</a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Emily Aston is a concept artist from Cornwall aiming to create a sense of escapism while using creative visual storytelling through the environments and characters she creates. Enjoying the challenge of creating an ever evolving and immersive world for others to enjoy, Emily’s process consists of drawing inspiration from the world around her. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Starting with mythology, folklore and fables, combining them with synonymous aesthetics to create something unique, Emily then moves onto sketching and fleshing out the ideas, thinking heavily about shape language within the created designs.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Emily aims to create a world that people can lose themselves in, passionate about exploring all avenues of game design, style and genres to further improve her skills and hone in the type of experience these projects have to offer.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Emily’s goal as a concept artist is to inspire others through her hard work and dedication as well as help shape other experiences within the industry that share the same values.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-film-screen-arts">BA (Hons) Film & Screen Arts</a> and <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-animation-games">BA (Hons) Animation & Games</a> students at the arts university have opportunities to collaborate with students with other specialisms on campus, including graphic designers, photographers and costume producers. A limited number of <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/clearing">Clearing</a> places are still available on undergraduate courses at Arts University Plymouth, starting as late as October 2023. If you want to begin a BA (Hons) degree this year, call Arts University Plymouth on +44 (0)1752 203402 or Whatsapp on 07722 744184. There are also opportunities to speak to expert academics and current students at the next <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/open-days">Open Day</a> on <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/events/open-day-undergraduate-and-postgraduate-sept23">Saturday 23 September</a>.<br /></p>