Graphic Design students at Carmel were in for a treat when BAFTA award winning Art Director, Jamie Stockley, visited college. Jamie, a former student, who studied Graphic Design and ICT and then completed his Art Foundation Diploma at Carmel, gained a degree in Animation at Edge Hill University. Jamie shared his experiences of how his knowledge, skills and passion for Animation as well as his drive and determination, led to him landing his dream job almost two years ago, as Art Director of the CBBC’s production Clangers.

Whilst at university, Jamie entered lots of film competitions and contacted as many Animation Studios as possible to build up his contacts which proved essential for him when he was ready to get his first job. At university his graduation film won the University’s Media Film Of The year! He also came 3^rd in the St Helens Channel 4 Big Art Project working alongside the team who constructed The Dream in St Helens and through this Jamie got his first work experience opportunity.

Before Clangers, Jamie worked on numerous productions including Roary the Racing Car, Raa Raa the Noisy Lion, Disney’s Frankenweenie and Strange Hill. These projects enabled him to develop a range of different skills such as Prop Making, Set Building and Puppet Making, essential in his current job. “It is my job to work from the scripts with the directors to design and create props and sets throughout the production” commented Jamie. “To be working as part of the team who brought back such British heritage kind of series as the Clangers, is a dream job for me! To win a BAFTA is a surreal and joyous feeling!”