Teesside celebrates an animated career

Where can you explore the adventures of Jason and the Argonauts? Or hear about the Clash of the Titans? Ray Harryhausen, the Oscar-winning and pioneering animator responsible for the spectacular effects in the above films, is to give a free lecture at the University of Teesside on Wednesday 28 January.

Entitled, ‘An Animated Career’, the lecture will start at 6.30pm in the University’s Europa Building, Woodland Road, Middlesbrough. Refreshments are available from 6pm. The lecture is part of the University’s annual Honorary and Professorial Public lecture series. There will be an opportunity to ask questions following the lecture.

The event is ticket only now due to unprecedented levels of interest. To book a ticket please contact the University’s Alumni Officer, Sarah Buckley on 01642 384255, or e-mail s.buckley@tees.ac.uk

Ray Harryhausen is regarded as one of animation’s pioneers. In addition to the memorable effects for Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans, Ray’s work also includes the films One Million Years BC and The Golden Voyage of Sinbad. He was awarded an honorary Oscar in 1992.

Ray is no stranger to the University. He first spoke about his career at the University’s annual celebration of animation, Animex, in 2001. The following year he also received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University.

Sarah Buckley said: “Ray’s achievements continue in the 21st century, as he has recently received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We’ve already had 170 bookings for this lecture, so it’s best to get in touch now for a ticket.”

Ray’s lecture appropriately takes place during this year’s Animex festival, which runs from Monday 26 January-Friday 30 January. Guest speakers this year include Mark Walsh, Directing Animator of the smash hit animated feature Finding Nemo. For more information go to the Animex web site at www.animex.net

The next lecture in the Honorary and Professorial Public lecture series will be delivered by gold-medal winning Paralympic athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson, at 6.30pm on Wednesday 11 February. Her lecture will be entitled ‘Fulfilling your potential.’

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