Public Vote open for BBC TV Licensing Animation Competition
TV Licensing and the BBC recently teamed up to launch a creative competition for animation students in the UK to visualise a number of less-than-plausible real-life excuses the public have given for not having a TV Licence.
All areas of the UK have demonstrated a creative approach. One Plymouth resident claimed his TV was only used to send his pet goldfish to sleep, while a TV viewer in Glasgow told a TV Licensing Officer he didn’t need a licence as he simply stole his neighbour’s signal. An exasperated West Midlands viewer informed TV Licensing that she couldn’t pay for her TV licence as her payment card had been eaten by her hamster and she was waiting for it to “come out the other end”.
Musical excuses also feature in the list, with one imaginative viewer from Lincoln claiming her TV was only on for her parrot, Captain Jack Sparrow, so he could learn the theme tune to Bargain Hunt. Outlandish royal claims were also heard, with one Northumbrian viewer stating he didn’t need a licence as he was the self-proclaimed “King of Scotland”.
Degree course students from five major UK universities have submitted animated interpretations of the provided list of excuses, all of which can now be seen online.
The Excuses animation competition has certainly demonstrated the next generation of animators is brimming with talent and creativity. The competition shows just how diverse, unique and talented we are as an animation nation. The People’s Choice voting is now open, so please visit youtube.com/tvlicensing to vote for your favourite, by ‘liking’ the video.
-Charlie Mawer, Red Bee Media Executive Creative Director
Prizes will be awarded for the People’s Choice and the Judges’ Award, made by a panel of animation industry experts including Charlie Mawer, BAFTA-winning Studio AKA director Marc Craste and Jason Fletcher-Bartholomew of Aardman Animations, who will evaluate each submission based on strength of direction, production, animation and script.
With all of the competing films published today on the TV Licensing YouTube channel, audiences have until 5pm March 4th to cast their vote (by ‘liking’ their favourite video on YouTube) for who they think should win for People’s Choice.
More than 40 excuses films have been submitted from students across the UK. View and vote for your favourite animation at youtube.com/tvlicensing