Graduate gravitates to success

A Teesside University graduate is soaring high in her career after working on the set of Oscar winning science fiction blockbuster Gravity.

India Barnardo, 27, who works in London as an animator at Framestore, spent time as a runner on the set of the 2013 film, which starred Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.

Originally from Wirksworth, in Derbyshire, the BA (Hons) Digital Character Animation graduate is now living near Westminster in the capital.

She said: 'I would recommend Teesside University and the course because of the warmth of the people and the superb facilities.'

India, who graduated in 2009, added: 'After the degree I started as a casual runner at Framestore before becoming a full-time runner, when one of my main duties was running for Mexican film director, Alfonso Cuarón, on the set of Gravity.'

India went on to successfully apply for an animation role in commercials and worked as a junior animator.

'Since starting work at Framestore I’ve progressed from background animation and cycles to helping with creative rigging decisions, contributing ideas to story and character designs, and animating hero shots.

'I mainly animate realistic creatures, everything from a computer-generated parrot to a muzzle replacement on a cow. Several modules on the degree really helped, as they involved going through the entire pipeline, which has proved useful when I’m working on a project with people from other disciplines.'

She added: 'I chose to study at Teesside University as it had the best combination of warmth, friendliness and facilities. I felt it was the most artistic computer course available.

'I was really lucky to meet the people in my year, from lecturers to lifelong friends. We formed a close bond and went on to create a society of people with a range of different skills and disciplines, which encouraged us to share and widen our knowledge. It was a very collaborative group, and I'm thankful for meeting them all.

'The University has superb facilities and there's everything you could ever need to make a film – a green screen, recording studio, motion capture suite, life drawing, animation lightboxes and, of course, countless computers.'

Learn more about what Teesside University has to offer in a range of subjects and study levels at two Open Days – on Wednesday 11 October and Saturday 22 October.

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