# animate! › Films › Who I Am and What I Want by David Shrigley & Chris Shepherd › all › synopses › direction & collaboration › full production credits › film stills › format & distribution › background material Canonical: https://animate.org.uk/films/whoiamandwhatiwant/all Discovery terms: 2000s animation, hand-drawn animation, identity, alienation, desire, dark comedy, filmmaker, artist, 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. --- **Who I Am and What I Want** a film by David Shrigley & Chris Shepherd [David Shrigley](https://davidshrigley.com), [Chris Shepherd](https://chrisshepherdfilms.com) 2005, 7 min 23 sec [Film / embedded media](https://player.vimeo.com/video/18665337) ![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant17.jpg) ### animate! synopsis A scribbled, strangely funny but highly unsettling examination of the human condition. The story of a man who bares his emotions, history, hang ups and desires in all of their dysfunctional absurdity then leaves us to assemble not only his identity but to question our own. ### one sentence synopsis **Who I Am and What I Want** is funny, poignant, wicked and unique. ### short synopsis Some may say **Who I Am and What I Want** is a snapshot of the human condition. Others might just think Pete is plain weird. Either way the film is an experience you won’t forget. ### long synopsis **Who I Am and What I Want** is funny, poignant, wicked and unique. Based on Shrigley’s book of the same name, it follows the exploits of Pete, voiced by Kevin Eldon (**Nighty Night** / **Jam** / **Big Train**). Some may say the film is a snapshot of the human condition. Pete has soaked up life, the drink, the fights, the passion, the medication. He’s been barred by his local, The Golden Nugget, for something he can’t quite remember. A life of excess has left him with no choice but to opt out of the rat race and live in the woods. Others may just think Pete’s plain weird. Either way the film is an experience you won’t forget. ### key credits **director** David Shrigley Chris Shepherd **voice** Kevin Eldon **animation** Alan Andrews Siren Halvorsen Ellen Kleiven **music** Martin Young **sound designer** Barnaby Templer Jake Roberts **producer** Maria Manton ### David Shrigley #### short biography David graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 1991. His works on paper, photographs and sculptures have been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the world, and he is the author of more than 20 books of drawings. He lives in Glasgow. 25 October 2005 #### filmography 2005 **Who I Am and What A Want** Co-Director/writer. Short film commissioned by animate! funded by Arts Council England and Channel 4 (collaboration with Chris Shepherd). 2004 **Modern Thought** weekly animation for BBC.co.uk/collective **Bonnie Prince Billy** ‘Agnes Queen of Sorrow’ promo 2003 **Good Song** Director/writer. Promo for Blur (collaboration with Shynola). Winner of Best Promo at British Animation Awards and Mirrorball award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2003. 2002 **What Happens After You’re Dead** Director/writer. Channel4.com viral project 25 October 2005 #### artist’s photo ![David Shrigley, portrait](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_davidshrigley_portrait01.jpg) June 2004 #### artist’s website [David Shrigley](http://www.davidshrigley.com) ### Chris Shepherd #### biography Chris Shepherd was born in Liverpool in 1966. In 1985 he studied Foundation Art at Liverpool Polytechnic, after which he became an editor at a production company called NGP Ltd. From 1989 to 1992 he studied animation at West Surrey College of Art and Design. After graduating he became studio manager at Speedy Films and coordinated adverts and short films for TV. In 1995 he set up a production company called Polkadot Productions Ltd. He directed and produced the multi-award-winning **The Broken Jaw** for Channel 4 and produced BAFTA nominated **The World Of Interiors**. Chris’s other Polkadot credits include adverts, title sequences and the award winning *Stareout* sketches on BBC/Talkback’s **Big Train**. In 2000 he became the co-founder of production company Slinky Pictures, with producer Maria Manton. Director/writing credits include a ten part series for Channel Four called **People’s Britain** and his acclaimed *animate!* short [Dad’s Dead](https://animate.org.uk/films/dadsdead/) , winner of 20 international awards including Best Short at the British Independent Film Awards. Chris was also the consultant producer for Channel 4/BFI’s *Animator In Residence* scheme between 1997 and 2004. During this time he helped to develop over twenty-four short films for Channel Four. Since completing his *animate!* collaboration with artist David Shrigley [Who I Am and What I Want](https://animate.org.uk/films/whoiamandwhatiwant/) , he is also finishing another short film project **Silence is Golden**. 25 October 2005 #### short biography Chris completed an Animation BA at West Surrey College of Art and Design in 1992. He is co-founder of London animation company Slinky Pictures with producer Maria Manton, and has directed short films, commercials and comedy series. He made the prize-winning **The Broken Jaw** in 1997. His first animate! commission was the hybrid film [Dad’s Dead](https://animate.org.uk/films/dadsdead/) 2002, Best Short Film at the British Independent Film Awards 2003 and winner of a huge number of other prizes. July 2004 #### filmography 2005 **Who I Am and What A Want** Co-Director/writer. Short film commissioned by animate! funded by Arts Council England and Channel 4 (collaboration with David Shrigley). **Nathan Barley** Animator. Talkback/Zeppotron series for Channel 4 by Chris Morris and Charlie Brooker. **Bollocks To Cancer** Animator. Yipp films documentary for Channel 4 by Patrick Collerton. 2004 **Strange Times** Script Consultant on TV Pilot. Slinky Pictures for BBC3. 2003 **Dad’s Dead** Director and Writer. Slinky Pictures commissioned by animate!, Arts Council England and Channel 4. Winner of 25 international film awards including Best Short Film at British Independent Film Awards, 2 British Animation Awards and Film BAFTA nomination. **The Girl and the Horse** Producer. Short film for Channel 4 directed by Rebecca Manley. 2001 **People’s Britain** Director and Co-writer (with Peter Holmes). Slinky Pictures for E4/Channel 4. Winner of Best Comedy Series at British Animation Awards **Deckstar** Director. TV pilot for Zeppotron.com **The World of Interiors** Producer. Short film. Polkadot for Channel 4 directed by Bunny Schendler. Winner of Animated Eye Award, Aspen Shorts Festival USA, and nominated for a film BAFTA 2000 **Angry Kid** ‘Backwards Writing’ Co-writer (with Darren Walsh) on an episode of a series by Aardman for BBC. **Pop Skool** Director. Internet series by Zeppotron and Slinky Pictures. 1999 **School Disco** Producer. Short Film. Polkadot for Channel 4 directed by Brian Wood. Winner of 1 film award. **The Big End** Producer. ‘Farmergeddon’ animated sketches. Polkadot for BBC. 1998 **Big Train** (Series 1) Animation on ‘Stareout Sketches’ for TV series by Talkback for BBC. Winner of Bronze award at Montreux Comedy Festival and Best-Broken Comedy Show, British Comedy Awards 1998. 1997 **The Broken Jaw** Director and Writer. Short film. Polkadot for Channel 4. Winner of 6 interantional film awards. **Strongman** Director and Writer. Idents for Polakdot and the British Council **Big Train** Animation on TV pliot ‘Stareout Sketches‘. Winner of Best Animation for a TV comedy series, Everyman Animation Festival. 1992 **A Load of Balls** Director and Writer. Short Film at WSCAD. 1989 **Safari** Director and Writer. Short film for NGP Productions. **Commercials** Chris has directed many advertising campaigns including: **Learn Direct** (DFGW), **Christian Aid** (Partners BDDH), **Eagle Star** (Ogilvy and Mather), **Shakey Jake** (Ogilvy and Mather), **Western Union** (D&BB), **Milky Bar** (Amarti Puris Lintas), **Vibrant** (Greys), **BMI Baby** (Partners BDDH) and the very popular **Staying Alive’ Hedgehogs** road safety adverts (D‘Arcys). 25 October 2005 #### artist’s photo ![Chris Shepherd, portrait](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_chrisshepherd_portrait01.jpg) February 2005 ### animate! films by this artist [Dad’s Dead](https://animate.org.uk/films/dadsdead/) [Who I Am and What I Want](https://animate.org.uk/films/whoiamandwhatiwant/) #### artist’s website [Slinky Pictures](https://web.archive.org/web/20070101002244/http://www.slinkypics.com/) Chris is co-founder of Slinky Pictures with producer Maria Manton ### a film by David Shrigley & Chris Shepherd ### direction **director** David Shrigley Chris Shepherd ### voice-over **voice** Kevin Eldon ### image personnel **animation** Alan Andrews Siren Halvorsen Ellen Kleiven **compositor** John Taylor ### sound personnel **music** Martin Young **sound designer** Barnaby Templer Jake Roberts ### production personnel **producer** Maria Manton **production company** Slinky Pictures ### support **thanks** Andy Humphrey, Ollie Davis & Liz Chan **primary funding** An animate! commission funded through Finetake by Arts Council England and Channel 4 © David Shrigley & Chris Shepherd 2005 [![Who I Am and What I Want, still: *Who I Am and Want I Want* front title card](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant01.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant01.jpg) **Who I Am and Want I Want** front title card - *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant02.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant02.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant03.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant03.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant04.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant04.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant05.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant05.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant06.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant06.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant07.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant07.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant08.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant08.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant09.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant09.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant10.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant10.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant11.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant11.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant12.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant12.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant13.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant13.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant14.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant14.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant15.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant15.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant16.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant16.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant17.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant17.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant18.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant18.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant19.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant19.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant20.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant20.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant21.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant21.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant22.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant22.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant23.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant23.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant24.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant24.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant25.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant25.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant26.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant26.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant27.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant27.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant28.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant28.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant29.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant29.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant30.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant30.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant31.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant31.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant32.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant32.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant33.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant33.jpg) *click on image for full size still* [![Who I Am and What I Want, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/whoiamandwhatiwant34.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/whoiamandwhatiwant34.jpg) *click on image for full size still* ### master copy format **format** DigiBeta **colour or black & white** black & white ### video distribution format **video format** DigiBeta **screen aspect ratio** 16:9 **video standard** PAL **sound type** stereo ### film distribution format **film format** 35mm **screen aspect ratio** 1:1.85 **sound type** Dolby Digital ### 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/) Slinky Pictures Ltd [info@slinkypics.com](mailto:info@slinkypics.com) +44 (0)20 7247 6444 [www.slinkypics.com](https://web.archive.org/web/20070101002244/http://www.slinkypics.com/) ### production material #### reference images **** ![Pre-production concept still](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_whoiamandwhatiwant_concept_still01.jpg) Pre-production concept still **** ![Pre-production concept still](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_whoiamandwhatiwant_concept_still02.jpg) Pre-production concept still **** ![Cover of *Who I Am and What I Want* by David Shrigley published by Redstone Press 2003](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_whoiamandwhatiwant_book01.jpg) Cover of **Who I Am and What I Want** by David Shrigley published by Redstone Press 2003 © David Shrigley **** ![Frontspiece of *Who I Am and What I Want* by David Shrigley](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_whoiamandwhatiwant_book02.jpg) Frontspiece of **Who I Am and What I Want** by David Shrigley **** ![Double page in *Who I Am and What I Want* by David Shrigley](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_whoiamandwhatiwant_book03.jpg) Double page in **Who I Am and What I Want** by David Shrigley With caption text, mistakenly omitted by the printer, handwritten by David Shrigley. #### promotional and other documents **press release image** ![Slinky Picture’s email flyer announcing premiere of *Who I Am and What I Want* at London Film Festival Satrurday 29 October 2005](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_whoiamandwhatiwant_promotion_flyer01.jpg) Slinky Picture’s email flyer announcing premiere of **Who I Am and What I Want** at London Film Festival Satrurday 29 October 2005 **press release image** ![Slinky Picture’s email flyer announcing television premiere of *Who I Am and What I Want* on Channel 4 Tuesday 6 December 2005](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_whoiamandwhatiwant_promotion_flyer02.jpg) Slinky Picture’s email flyer announcing television premiere of **Who I Am and What I Want** on Channel 4 Tuesday 6 December 2005 **poster for DVD** ![Poster for standalone DVD release of *Who I Am and What I Want*](https://animate.org.uk/films/downloads/animate_whoiamandwhatiwant_DVD_poster01.jpg) Poster for standalone DVD release of **Who I Am and What I Want** A special edition DVD with a 12 page booklet, deleted scenes and interviews, releaased on 5 June 2006 by and available from [onedotzero](http://www.onedotzero.com/). ### first public screening **London Film Festival** 29 October 2005 **Channel 4 Television** 6 December 2005 **Who I Am and What I Want** film, stills and other materials © David Shrigley & Chris Shepherd 2005