Two UWE Bristol graduates’ work selected in children’s animation talent search
See all news![Ignite BBC graduates success](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/ignite-bbc-graduates-success-850x500.jpg?la=en&h=498&w=847&mw=847&hash=FCCE5A7F9FF41F4C4610AA4D77D963F5)
The artistic flair and exceptional skills of two former UWE Bristol students have caught the eye of BBC commissioners looking to uncover the UK’s next animation hit.
BBC Children’s and Education announced three projects that will be taken forward from Ignite, an inaugural children’s animation talent search.
And, two of the projects are by UWE Bristol Animation alumni:
- Duck and Frog created by Sam Shaw, a slapstick comedy with a modern British setting and an energetic anarchic sense of humour.
- The Underglow, a 2D pre-school series created by Tanya Scott (with her co-creator Sam Morrison), full of little creatures and characters that come out to play when the sun goes down.
The projects were discovered after submitting ideas to the BBC and have been chosen following an 18-month development process. The ambition is to broadcast all three on the BBC in the future once additional investment from third parties is secured alongside the BBC’s contribution.
Sam graduated from UWE Bristol with a BA in Animation in 2014 and said: “I’m still pinching myself to check this is really happening, but mainly I’m just excited. I’ve loved every second of bringing these characters to life through Ignite and the idea I could get to keep doing that a bit longer is amazing.
“Duck and Frog is actually based on my third-year graduation film. I loved my time at UWE Bristol - the course gave me enough space to experiment and find what I wanted to do in the animation sector but was always there if I needed support and guidance technically or creatively.”
Tanya graduated in 2010 and added: “It means so much to be taken through to the final stages of BBC Ignite. So much of my own personality has gone into developing the visual style and characters of The Underglow, it is full of whimsy and weirdness – all the things I love! I'm so grateful that these elements really resonated with the commissioners and producers at the BBC. Throughout the process we have been given the support we need to retain this unique vision for the show. I think nearly everyone in animation dreams of creating a television series, and it's incredible to know we are one step closer to that dream.
“I co-created this idea with writer Sam Morrison, who got in contact with me a few years ago to ask if I'd be interested in developing an idea with him. We both moved in similar circles which connected both of us to a network associated with UWE Bristol. Despite graduating many moons ago, the network I established at the university still helps me today. It was industry events and feedback which helped me construct a successful career for myself.
“Sam Morrison and I are really excited to continue working on developing the project and we hope the world of The Underglow will expand onto screens very soon.”
Ignite was launched in 2021 as an unprecedented initiative to uncover UK animation talent to develop the next hit. The BBC called on talent from both established independent production companies, BBC in-house production and talented individuals looking for their first break and received over 1000 ideas.
Related news
![Someone holds the world in their hands in a pool of water](/-/media/uwe/images/news/climate-theatre-project-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=671411EFE5D11C702F789A85526F61DF)
26 June 2024
Water security and climate action to be explored through theatre with communities
UWE Bristol will support an international research project that will embed theatre practice to work with less heard communities who face water insecurity.
![UWE Bristol student winners celebrate at the awards](/-/media/uwe/images/news/kodak-film-success-2024-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=43347748CE5732C537F624F7995195BC)
05 June 2024
Outstanding success for student filmmakers
Held in London, the third-year students came away with an unprecedented eight awards at the Kodak/Nahemi Student Commercial Awards.
![UWE Bristol student Emily Annakin stands smiling with the Clifton Suspension Bridge behind her with hot air balloons flying in the distance](/-/media/uwe/images/news/showcase-emily-annakin-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=BCBBB446ADE1E74125F4AC8AE3B47B1F)
04 June 2024
Urban places and spaces should be accessible for all, says UWE Bristol student
Student Emily Annakin is hoping to land her dream job, using her own experience of visual impairment to design inclusive urban spaces.
![Photo shows image of Sir Peter Bazalgette](/-/media/uwe/images/news/sir-peter-bazalgette-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=84E0DACB4233CB3451E72D2A635FB830)
24 May 2024
Creative industry leader appointed new Chancellor of UWE Bristol
A leader in the UK’s creative industries, Sir Peter Bazalgette, has been appointed the new Chancellor of UWE Bristol.
![A photographer using an old-fashioned camera to take an photo of Stonehenge, with a backdrop of a blue sky](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/stonehenge-photography-main-image-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=82D3AA342D3552BF0055E5180A7BFE8E)
22 May 2024
Academic retraces footsteps of Victorian photography pioneer behind Led Zeppelin album cover
A UWE Bristol researcher has used old-fashioned photography methods to recreate images by a Victorian photographer noted for taking an iconic photo that became a Led Zeppelin album cover.
![Students Carla Mabb and Kian Swainston, with arts programme manager Donna Baber stand in front of the photography exhibition at the Brunel building](/-/media/uwe/images/news/southmead-photography-students-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=8F7C033B6A1B622CA31C8349566952C4)
10 May 2024
UWE Bristol student photos showcase 10 years of the Brunel building
Striking images have been captured by student photographers for an exhibition marking 10 years since the Brunel building at Southmead Hospital opened.
![UWE Bristol illustration student stands in front of a double decker bus featuring her winning design](/-/media/uwe/images/news/bus-wrap-women-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=8BF20578EE978EA8470162FCD4E953AA)
09 May 2024
Winning bus design by UWE Bristol student
A new bus wrap designed by student Rosalyn Burroughs has been unveiled to mark 80 years since the first female bus drivers were employed in Bristol.
![Student Nikola Asojana's concept for an activist hub 'Ground for Change' which shows a forum space in Bristol where members of the public can meet](/-/media/uwe/images/news/degree-showcase-2024-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=6A8B1AC052C4B2632C530A87AAE04354)
07 May 2024
Graduating students gear up to present their work at annual Showcase
UWE Bristol's Showcase offers visitors the chance to discover a new generation of talent from the College of Arts, Technology and Environment.
![Artist Mr Doodle drawing with a pen while sat on the floor, with the floor and wall covered in black doodle art on a white background](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/mr-doodle-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=DE7AB621C29B08887024970908FDC435)
22 April 2024
UWE Bristol graduate Mr Doodle set to stage first museum exhibition
A former UWE Bristol illustration student is preparing to present his first ever UK museum exhibition.
![UWE Bristol students perform as part of the Open Studios exhibition at Spike Island in 2023 - photo credit Dan Weill Photography](/-/media/uwe/images/news/spike-island-credit-dan-weill-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=210A78456E2D4D73BC090231E73C0875)
15 April 2024
UWE Bristol art students to showcase their work during Spike Island’s Open Studios
Open Studios gives the chance to go behind the scenes at Spike Island - home to UWE Bristol Fine Art, over 70 artists’ studios, and Spike Print Studio.
![A group of students from UWE Bristol showing their awards for Best Drama at the RTS Awards](/-/media/uwe/images/news/rts-awards-drama-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=38C6D489B3068E0690201796A616EE0D)
19 March 2024
Success for students at regional RTS Awards
Students and graduates from UWE Bristol took home the top prize in four categories of the RTS West of England Student Awards held at Watershed in Bristol on 4 March 2024.
![Shaila Afroj UWE Senior Research Fellow](/-/media/uwe/images/news/shaila-afroj-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=A0CF47D10F8EAA2FC54D8DD7E7845F03)
13 February 2024
Funding secured to develop sustainable health-monitoring e-textiles
A UWE Bristol academic has been given a New Investigator Award to further develop wearable sustainable e-textiles to monitor heart patients.
You may also be interested in
![Media enquiries](/-/media/uwe/images/news/media-enquiries-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=DEC2ADF76427D486E3F096155E2569C0)
Media enquiries
Enquiries related to news releases and press and contacts for the media team.
![Lecturer with students](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-experts-findanexpert-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=F991F840D7340AF990327391B1A7F10E)
Find an expert
Media contacts are invited to check out the vast range of subjects where UWE Bristol can offer up expert commentary.