Winner of the 2012 Cartoon d’Or, animated short featuring handmade puppets from directing duo Emma De Swaef and Marc James Roels is now available for viewing online.
London-based independent production company and animation studio Nexus has announced that directing duo Emma De Swaef and Marc James Roels have joined the company’s directorial roster for exclusive representation in the U.K. and U.S. Under directing moniker Marc and Emma, the duo won the Cartoon d’Or in 2012 for their short film, Oh Willy… which has been released online today.
Using a range of handcrafted techniques from stop-motion animation to puppeteering mixed with live action, their work is known for a particular kind of absurd humor and tenderness. Their distinctive homespun style is a consequence of Emma making all of the puppets herself.
Marc & Emma have worked together as a directing duo since 2007. Emma’s career started in documentary films but it was growing up on a sheep farm that inspires and informs her work today. From a young age she used the abundance of wool in her home to craft puppets; a hobby from her youth which is now reflected in her directing style, in which she uses natural fibres to create woollen characters. Marc’s career began in the music industry, producing animated music videos, but their joint move into puppet based stop-motion animation was something that they learnt and refined together.
“Marc & Emma are a unique talent with a creative and distinct skill-set,” says Chris O’Reilly, ECD and co-founder, Nexus and Nexus Interactive Arts. “Their passion for their craft and imaginative approach makes them a perfect fit for Nexus and we’re thrilled to have them joining us.”
“We knew that Nexus fostered an environment where creative and technical talent thrives, and since joining we have really seen this to be true,” say Marc & Emma. “In short we are having a great time. Amongst other projects, we are working on a short film to be released next year, and are also in the process of creating a two minute animated pitch for a TV series.”
A winner of over 80 international awards, including the prestigious 2012 Cartoon d'Or, the 17 minute-long short film, Oh Willy… is now available for viewing online:
Other awards among for the duo include a Cannes Lions Bronze Craft for Animation for their “Sugarman” ad created for Belgian sugar manufacturer Tiense Suiker, and the Effie award for effectiveness for their “Stress Doll” commercial produced for the Belgium public transport company De Lijn.
Source: Nexus
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
