Welsh broadcaster S4C has commission two short films from Blunt Pictures, the teen and adult animation division of Siriol Prods. CANNED HEAT and THE THWEE LANCERS will be produced at the companys Cardiff-based stop motion animation studio.
CANNED HEAT, a four-minute film that explores issues of prejudice and intolerance in a humorous way, was created by David Sethi who is also writer, model-maker, animator and director on the project, which will be voiced by comedian Al Murray.
Set in a cupboard, CANNED HEAT features cans of soup which prove that despite our differences we all benefit from societys melting pot. One of the cupboards residents is an overbearing bigoted Tomato Soup can, intolerant of any soup can that isnt exactly like him. He should be packed full of goodness but hes packed full of prejudice, sneering at dented disabled soup cans, pouring scorn on the native customs of mulligatawny and casting aspersions about effeminately labeled brandsbut he gets his just deserts one mealtime.
THE THWEE LANCERS is set in the desert, where a three-man tank crew searches for weapons of mass destruction and refreshments. Scanning the horizon through binoculars, they spot the extremely welcome sight of an ice cream van. But they are only seeing a mirage as their ice cream goodies turn out to be their field radios and the attractive serving girl is, in fact, an amorous camel.
THE THWEE LANCERS is created by Jason Comley, who is also model maker, animator and director on the film and a former Gulf War veteran.
We set up Blunt Pictures to create films that are distinctive and aimed at an older audience, said Robin Lyons, md of Blunt Pictures. Both CANNED HEAT and THE THWEE LANCERS are innovative projects that showcase David Sethi and Jason Comleys fantastic creative talent and we are delighted by the support from S4C.
Siriol (www.siriolproductions.com) is the award-winning Cardiff-based animation studio best known for childrens series HILLTOP HOSPITAL and MEEOW. Siriol expanded into animation for teens and young adults by launching its new film division, Blunt Pictures in September 2000. Blunt has already made DEES DISH OF THE DAY, STONEHOUSE REUNION and the half-hour animated sit-com KNIFE AND WIFE for Channel 4, and MARY SEACOLE for S4C.
