Bristol, U.K.-based Aardman Animations turned out this stop motion spot in which a cat goes on an adventure on a blustery day, getting a glimpse of the goings-on at various homes as people try to get "cozy" in inclement weather. From one dwelling to the next, we see folks getting cozy and comfy on their DFS sofas–and ultimately the cat does too when he returns home.
Visual Effects/Animation: Aardman Animations, Bristol, U.K. Magda Osinska, director; Steve Harding-Hill, creative director; Helen Javes, art director; Kristyna Litten, character design; James Grant, set design; Matthew Walker, storyboard artist; Amy Davies, production assistant; Chris Entwistle, head of modelmaking; Nancy Stott, George Watson, Bronwen Salter, modelmakers; Roxannah Linklater, rigger; Claire Baker, Rachel Bennett, set dressers; Sammy Pickthall, carpenter; Scary Cat, sofa builds; Nick Miller, producer; Simon Jacobs, DP; Inez Woldman, Adam Watts, Andy Spilsted, animators; Mindell Bowen, production mgr; Erica Pownall, camera assistant; Craig Gambell, Damien Gray, electricians; Jon Biggins, compositor/colorist; Fernando Lechuga, Jeffery Dillon, compositors; James Grant, matte painter; Dan Wiliamson, Dan Pask, editors; One Stich, embroidered mouth sets. (Toolbox: Dragon, Nuke, Resolve, Premiere) Agency: krow communications, London Production: Aardman Animations, Bristol, U.K. Magda Osinska, director
Stain remover Vanish presents this emotional short film--created by BETC Havas, Sao Paulo, and produced by LOBO--that explores the profound consequences of bullying and highlights the importance of open conversations between parents and children. Titled The Bully Monster, the animated film premiered at the Maquinaria Festival in Rio de Janeiro on February 15 in a special edition featuring family-focused programming.
The film’s protagonist is a boy who experiences bullying at school but keeps silent about his suffering. Isolation turns sadness into insecurity, creating invisible emotional scars that only grow in the absence of dialogue. When his mother notices stains on his uniform, these marks become the starting point for a revealing conversation. As words find space to make themselves heard, the stains begin to fade.
This initiative aligns with the Vanish Saves Your Uniform campaign, which, for the past three years during the back-to-school season, has engaged with parents by positioning the brand as a trusted partner in preserving school uniforms. This year, Vanish decided to broaden the conversation, bringing bullying into the debate as the real stain that can impact a child’s life.
The Bully Monster is being screened as preshow material in movie theaters starting February 20 and will also be available on streaming platforms and digital channels. In addition to the film, the campaign will include out-of-home activations and school initiatives through a partnership with Abrace – Preventive Programs, the founding organization of the “Bullying-Free Schools” program, which has been equipping institutions with resources to combat school violence for 12 years.
“Research indicates that stains on a uniform can... Read More
