Animation studio Aardman and environmental organization Greenpeace have launched a powerful new animated film highlighting the plight of the world’s oceans. Turtle Journey, directed by Aardman’s Gavin Strange, tells the heartbreaking story of a turtle family heading home through an ocean that is under increasing pressure from climate change, plastic pollution, oil drilling and overfishing.
Aardman uses its skills in storytelling, humor and creativity to communicate Greenpeace’s urgent message with a mix of CGI and stop-frame animation. Physical puppets were created to portray the turtle family, while the underwater environments are detailed in CGI.
Strange said, “I wanted to tell a personal yet universal story of family, loss and hope to best connect with audiences around the world. It was an absolute dream to work with such a talented crew of animators, artists and creators here at Aardman, manipulating clay and pixels to make such a nuanced and delicate piece of animation. Brought to life by a stellar cast of world-class voice talent, topped off by a simply sublime score from Arthur Jeffe’s Penguin Cafe.”
Characters in the film are voiced by Academy Award®-winning actors Olivia Colman and Dame Helen Mirren, along with Game of Thrones’ Bella Ramsey, Stranger Things’ David Harbour, Downton Abbey’s Jim Carter, and comedian Ahir Shah.
Credits
Client Greenpeace Production Aardman, Bristol, UK Gavin Strange, director; Emily Stone, production coordinator; Sam Morrison, writer; Maya Wilson, storyboard artist; Sylvia Bull, character design; Davide Mastrolonardo, environment & background design; Thomas Sewell, set dresser; Chris Entwistle Tandie Langton Bronwen Salter George Watson, modelmakers; Simon Jacobs, DP; Alison Evans, Gareth Love Lee Wilton, Inez Woldman, animators; Louis Mcnamara, assistant animator; Damien Gray Guy, Holme Nat Sale, electricians; Sam Holland, rigger; Erica Powenall, Adam Cook, camera assistants; Sami Goddard, producer; Rich Spence, CG supervisor; Martin Blunden, Trine Sorensen Coolidge, Helen Duckworth, Nathan Guttridge, Ben Toogood, Chuen Tsang, Signe Tveitan, CG artists; Tessa Mapp, Luke Tickner, CG lighters; Joseph Thornley-Heard, FX artist; Owain Peake, additional FX; Rebecca Rose, previs artist; Marta Arisa Clotet, Eva Bennett, Dom Rayner, Mat Rees, CG animators; Fernando Lechuga, comp supervisor; Hugh Brazier, Paule Quinton, Spencer Cross, Jim Lewis, compositors; Bram Ttwheam, colorist; Dan Williamson, editor; Christopher Stock, Dopesheet editor; James Grant, Photoshop artist; Miles Cumpstey, sound recordist. Props Mangostone Ltd. Helen Javes (Toolbox: Maya, Arnold, Nuke, Houdini, DaVinci Resolve, Dragonframe, Photoshop, Procreate) Music Penguin Cafe Arthur Jeffes, composer. Sound Design/Mix Matt Loveridge, Will Davies. Voice artists Jim Carter, Olivia Colman, David Harbour, Giovanna Lancellotti, Calyssa Miller, Helen Mirren, Bella Ramsey, Ahir Shah, voice artists.
The Ad Council, partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and AdoptUSKids, launched a public service campaign, created pro bono by Edelman, which aims to inspire prospective parents to consider adopting a teen from foster care.
This centerpiece PSA titled “The Rewards”--directed by The Hudson Dusters (Michael Kuhn and Niles Roth) via Greenpoint Pictures--spotlights real adoptive families who have personally experienced the mutual benefits of adoption. This longer form PSA (and cutdown versions) begins with a touching display of openness and vulnerability as adoptive parents reflect on their adoption journeys and their initial questions and hesitations about adopting a teen. Then, in a deeply emotional turn, the adoptive parents witness their children recounting the profound rewards of adoption in their lives. The teens speak of the love they share with their parents and how the decision to become a family is reciprocal. The campaign directs viewers to the AdoptUSKids website to learn more about adopting a teen from foster care.
