Craig’s regulars are comfortably casual

Where can you find an alien, a cat and an old man musing about relationships, with mentions of Katie Price and Marilyn Monroe’s alleged relationship with President Kennedy?

The unlikely trio can be seen in a short voiced animation, entitled ‘Uncomfortably Casual’ created by Teesside University computing student Craig Miln.

Craig, 22, from Norton, created the animation as part of the final-year project for his BA (Hons) Creative Digital Media. The animation was inspired by the ITV1 series ‘Creature Comforts’ produced by Aardman Animation Ltd, where the general public provided the voices for a diverse range of stop-motion animated models, ranging from amoebas to dogs and alligators.

Craig used animation techniques only to create his three figures and for their voices looked to regulars of the Connections bar in Norton, where he has worked as a part-time barman for two years. He asked friends Dave Adams, 56, a CCTV operator (the alien), Alan Peverell, 64, a retired telephone engineer (the cat) and Rigger Mick Bowey, 52 (the old man). They all agreed and recorded their pub conversations in sections, in one take.

Craig said: 'I wanted an animation that was more focused on people so I asked Dave, Alan and Mick to talk about relationships. I knew they all got on well together and will talk about anything! I also wanted regional accents, we got some background noise from the pub when I recorded them but thought that added to the piece.

'It took two months to put together, starting with hand drawings and then modelled and animated using 3d Max. My parents Alison and Peter really helped me with their opinions during the process and I also appreciated the professional views when I exhibited it recently at the University’s ExpoTees exhibition. My ultimate aim is to increase my understanding of animation and hopefully apply this to characters in future games and animation productions.'

‘Uncomfortably Casual’ can be found at www.craigmiln.com/casual.html

Alan said: 'I was over the moon when I saw the finished animation, although a bit of a shock to hear my own voice! Marilyn Monroe and the President came into my mind when we were talking about relationships as it was a more discreet one than some of todays.'

Mick said: 'I thought of Katie Price as I’m not keen on her, the way she takes all the limelight. I thought Craig’s animation was very good, I want to see it on the TV on the next bank holiday!'

Dave, whose alien animated persona talks about the importance of trust in relationships, added: “I didn’t mind helping Craig out with his student project. I’d like a bigger starring role next time though!”

Craig is a former student of Norton School and Cleveland College of Art & Design.

---