# animate! › Films › Careful by Damian Gascoigne › all › synopses › direction & collaboration › full production credits › film stills › tools & processes › format & distribution › background material Canonical: https://animate.org.uk/films/careful/all Discovery terms: 2000s animation, hand-drawn animation, 3d cgi, live action and animation, digital compositing, parental anxiety, childhood, independence, narrative short, filmmaker, illustrator, animation director The following is the archived page text; discovery terms above are separately sourced metadata. Archive status: restored in 2026; historical calls, deadlines and services are closed. --- **Careful** a film by Damian Gascoigne 2005, 6 min 07 sec [Film / embedded media](https://player.vimeo.com/video/14233635) ![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful18.jpg) ### animate! synopsis A series of inter-cut visual postcards, snapshots of ordinary family situations. Caring, anxious but distracted parents are teaching their children to be safe. However they are in a battle with Fate to avoid disasters – and dry cleaning bills. ### one sentence synopsis A 7-year-old girl’s accidental adventure in a surreal landscape. ### short synopsis A 7-year-old girl escapes the attentions of her over protective mother and flies off on an accidental adventure through a surreal landscape. ### long synopsis A story about a 7-year old girl sent on a mission to post a letter by her over-protective mother. Accidentally forced off course, the girl finds herself in a surreal landscape, full of foreboding suspended objects. She explores this strange world for herself until her mother’s anxiety stirs the landscape into dangerous life. **Careful** combines rough, immediate drawings in digital space, creating a visual interplay between what is flat and what is not. ### key credits **director** Damian Gascoigne **script** Liana Dognini **animation** Alex Smith **cgi animator** James Kirkham **visual effects** Paul Duffield **editor** Rod Main **music** Ben Park **producer** Jo Gallagher ### Damian Gascoigne #### biography Damian Gascoigne joined Picasso Pictures in 1993, already an established illustrator and animation director, having directed work such as the BBC Holiday Programme titles and a number of short films. Whilst at Picasso Damian has directed many successful title sequences and commercials whilst continuing his filmmaking. His BBC titles for **Situation Vacant** (‘95) and **Proms** (’97) both won silver BDA’s, and Damian directed **The Franklin’s Tale** on the much acclaimed *Canterbury Tales* for S4C in ’98. Other notable projects have been commercials for Mercury One2One and Watermans for McCann Erickson in New York. His previous short films include **How to Get Rid of Information**, an animate! film commissioned by The Arts Council and Channel 4, and a personal story about Damian’s own family, told through the eyes of his mother, in **A Cream And 2 Plains**. Damian has supplied Illustrations for magazine and print work. Presently he is working on long form sketches for various new animated comedy shows. 1988 – 1995: Visiting lecturer in Animation and Illustration at Camberwell School of Art 2000 – Present: Lecturer in animation Kingston University 14 September 2005 #### short biography Damian took a Graphic Design BA at Kingston Polytechnic in 1984, and is now a lecturer there in animation. He is London-based and has worked as a freelance animator on commercials and titles, staged live animation/dance performances on the Southbank, London, and is currently completing a tv series for the BBC. He made the self-financed short film **A Cream and Two Plains** in 2001. In 1998 he completed his first animate! commission [How to Get Rid of Information.](https://animate.org.uk/films/howtogetridofinformation/) July 2004 #### artist statement **Careful** is an attempt to wrestle with the seductive charms of the digital world and protect and push on the idea that drawing is King, no matter what technology promises. 3D Computer animation offers amazing possibilities, especially in relation to movement through space, which have until recently been beyond the fingertips of the drawn animator. However, this Pandora’s box comes with its own brand new set of problems. In particular computer animated movement tends to deliver an over co-ordinated, smoothed out visual language. Once objects and ground are linked they tend to form a very severely locked together sense of space. This becomes both ugly and boring- the trick is seen and the game is up. Another problem is that computers are by nature ‘anti dirt‘. Most of the accidental components that make drawing and movement exciting – dirty mistakes, smudges, glitches, scratches, and ‘wrongness’ – are not going to be found in a software package. To counteract these tendencies I decided I needed to push against the working process that one is nudged into in working with 3D animation. I did this in a number of ways, working closely with a gifted computer animator, James Kirkham, whose own aesthetic and ‘eye’ I trusted completely. Firstly I questioned the way in which the 3D line work objects are constructed, by putting together deliberately mismatching surfaces of objects, so that the final piece looked liked badly made flat pack furniture. This betrayed its origins as a series of drawings. Secondly I left in all the rough by-products of my ink drawings, spatters and blobs, inconsistent line weights, accidental transfers from page to page. The exciting thing for me was that these elements began to exist in the space as well as the main objects, trailing around on their own strange orbits, as chairs and turntables twisted and turned. Thirdly I decided to disconnect the objects from their ground and background, because somehow every time we connected them together to a camera, the whole thing just ended up looking like an arty computer game. To do this we separated layers of line work and set them on slightly offset paths and then created faked backgrounds that did not follow the same camera path at all, but moved in independent but sympathetic directions. Fourthly I decided to leave some objects as 2D drawings and others as full 3D objects. Placing them in the same space we allowed the nature of drawing as suggestion of form to remain close to the surface. The thinking underpinning these decisions came from a belief that the pursuit of ‘reality’ that dominates current thinking in 3D computer animation is a misguided and limited path. We don’t need to worry about how things really look. We can see them perfectly well. It is our job as artists to imagine them again. 22 September 2005 #### filmography **Two Stations** – drawn and 3D animation (12 mins) 1994 **How to Get Rid of Information** – (7mins) 1998 **The Franklin’s Tale** – animated version Chaucer’s Canterbury Tale (5 mins) 1998 **A Cream & 2 Plains** – live action and animation (7 mins) 2002 **Careful** – animation for animate! (6mins) 2005 Commercials include Powergen (Miller Bainbridge), L’eggs Khakis (DDB Chicago), First Plus (Black Cat), Panto (UK Gold), Waterman (McCann Erickson NY), Which? (BBC Broadcast) Broadcast Evan Dando *Stop my Head* (Pop Promo) *Morty* Ikea (BBC Broadcast), *Monkey Dust* (BBC), *Sketch Show* (Cartoon Network US) 14 September 2005 #### artist’s photo ![Damian Gascoigne, portrait](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_damiangascoigne_portrait01.jpg) 14 September 2005 ### animate! films by this artist [Careful](https://animate.org.uk/films/careful/) [How to Get Rid of Information](https://animate.org.uk/films/howtogetridofinformation/) ### a film by Damian Gascoigne ### direction **director** Damian Gascoigne ### script **script** Liana Dognini ### cast in picture **boy on screen** Munro Gascoigne **girl on screen** Natasha Gascoigne ### live-action personnel **camera assistant** Chris Strong Hannah Truran ### image personnel **animation** Kristian Andrews Philippa Leathers Alex Smith **cgi animator** James Kirkham **visual effects** Paul Duffield Cristina Seresini **compositor** Sam Atkin Ian Sargent **editor** Rod Main ### sound personnel **music** Ben Park **sound designer** Tom Russell ### production personnel **producer** Jo Gallagher **production company** Picasso Pictures ### production company website Picasso Pictures [www.picassopictures.com](http://www.picassopictures.com/) ### support **primary funding** an animate! commission funded through Finetake by Arts Council England and Channel 4 © Damian Gascoigne 2005 [![Careful, still: *Careful* front title card](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful01.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful01.jpg) **Careful** front title card - *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful02.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful02.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful03.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful03.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful04.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful04.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful05.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful05.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful06.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful06.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful07.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful07.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful08.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful08.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful09.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful09.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful10.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful10.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful11.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful11.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful12.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful12.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful13.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful13.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful14.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful14.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful15.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful15.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, 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still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful28.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful28.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful29.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful29.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful30.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful30.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful31.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful31.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful32.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful32.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful33.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful33.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful34.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful34.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Careful, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/careful35.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/careful35.jpg) *click on image for full size still* ### technical #### process summary **Careful** is made from a combination of hand drawn animation, 3D computer generated-animation and treated live-action. The aim was to create a sense of a three dimensional environment using line drawn elements and to develop a look for the film that pushed the boundaries of design in computer animation. The various ingredients were coloured in Photoshop and then composited in After Effects. ### master copy format **format** DigiBeta **colour or black & white** colour ### video distribution format **video format** DigiBeta **screen aspect ratio** 16:9 **video standard** PAL **sound type** stereo ### film distribution format **film format** none ### distributor LUX [info@lux.org.uk](mailto:info@lux.org.uk) +44 (0)20 7503 3980 [www.lux.org.uk](http://www.lux.org.uk/) Picasso Pictures [claire@picassopictures.com](mailto:claire@picassopictures.com) +44 (0)20 7437 9888 [www.picassopictures.com](http://www.picassopictures.com) ### related websites **[Calder Foundation](http://www.calder.org/)** Almost everything on this site devoted to Alexander Calder was serious inspiration for the film… **[Goldfish Bowl 1929 by Calder](http://www.calder.org/images_work/1898_1930/A00274_F.jpg)** Calder said “I think better in wire” **[The Circus 1932 by Calder](http://www.calder.org/images_work/1930_1936/A00053_F.jpg)** Ink on paper ### production material #### reference images **** ![Pre-production concept still](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_concept_still01.jpg) Pre-production concept still **** ![Pre-production concept still](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_concept_still02.jpg) Pre-production concept still **** ![Sketch](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_sketch01.jpg) Sketch **** ![Sketch](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_sketch02.jpg) Sketch **** ![Background components with elevations](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_sketch03.jpg) Background components with elevations **** ![Landscape map](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_sketch04.jpg) Landscape map **** ![Drawing inspiration](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_drawing_inspiration01.jpg) Drawing inspiration **** ![Drawing inspiration](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_drawing_inspiration02.jpg) Drawing inspiration **** ![Drawing inspiration](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_drawing_inspiration03.jpg) Drawing inspiration #### storyboard **** ![Storyboard sample, first sheet](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_storyboard01.jpg) Storyboard sample, first sheet **** ![Storyboard sample, sheet 8](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_storyboard08.jpg) Storyboard sample, sheet 8 **** ![Storyboard frame](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_storyboard_frame01.jpg) Storyboard frame **** ![Storyboard frame](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_storyboard_frame02.jpg) Storyboard frame **** ![Storyboard frame](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_storyboard_frame03.jpg) Storyboard frame **** ![Storyboard frame](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_storyboard_frame04.jpg) Storyboard frame #### design **** ![Background design](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_design01.jpg) Background design **** ![Background colour model](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_design02.jpg) Background colour model **** ![Girl colour model](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_design03.jpg) Girl colour model **** ![Background design](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_design04.jpg) Background design **** ![Mother design](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_design05.jpg) Mother design **** ![Background texture](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_background_texture01.jpg) Background texture **** ![Background texture](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_background_texture02.jpg) Background texture **** ![Background texture](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_background_texture03.jpg) Background texture **** ![Background texture](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_background_texture04.jpg) Background texture **** ![Background texture](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_background_texture05.jpg) Background texture **** ![Careful, background texture](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_background_texture06.jpg) Background texture **** ![Background texture](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_background_texture07.jpg) Background texture **** ![Background texture](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_careful_background_texture08.jpg) Background texture ### first public screening **Channel 4 Television** 6 December 2005 **Careful** film, stills and other materials © Damian Gascoigne 2005