Dublin’s Science Gallery set aside lab coats and safety goggles in favour of pointed hats last night, as they played host to the world premiere of animated film ‘The Duel’, set in the Unseen University of Terry Pratchett’s ‘Discworld’ novels.
The short film marks a collaboration between Dublin’s Giant Animation and the arts collective Animation Hub – it itself a collaboration between animation students from the Ballyfermot College of Further Education and Trinity College Dublin.
The aim of the project was to see students from both institutions afforded the opportunity to gain experience in a professional-grade studio while learning from industry professionals Giant Animation, who spearheaded the production.
Sir Pratchett, who was heavily involved with the project both as creator of Discworld (and some 40 novels set therein) as well as Adjunct Professor of English at Trinity, dubbed the film “something new from something old”, and said: “It’s wonderful to see this type of project supported and made real”.
The film is three minutes long and straddles the line between fantasy and reality, featuring real locations from around Dublin fused with the surreal landscape of Pratchett’s Discworld.
Speaking to IFTN, Giant Animation’s Daniel Spencer said: “The screening went very well - Terry really enjoyed it, the crowd really enjoyed it. […] Our next screening of note is at the Discworld convention down in Limerick, and what we’re going to be doing after that is putting it on the festival circuit”.
A previous collaboration between Giant and the Animation Hub – 2011’s ‘The Last Train - has already accrued an IFTA nomination as well as winning a Digital Media Award in 2012.
‘The Duel’ was supported through funding from Bord Scannán na hÉireann/The Irish Film Board, Trinity College Dublin, Giant Animation Studios and Ballyfermot College of Further Education.
