Roger Mainwood (1953- 2018)

The sad news has been announced that British animation director Roger Mainwood has passed away at the age of 65.  Mainwood had a long career in the animation industry but is probably best known for directing the wonderful Ethel and Ernest, the 2016 adaption of Raymond Brigg's acclaimed graphic novel.

He got his break directing a video for German electro band Kraftwerk in the 70's, before working producing commercials at Halas and Batchelor, the British studio best known for Animal Farm. Over the years he worked as an animator on a number of films, series and TV specials including Heavy Metal,  The Little Princess and We're Going On A Bear Hunt. He also worked on every Raymond Briggs adaptation from The Snowman and When The Wind Blows to The Snowman and The Snow Dog. He worked his way up to director, later  directing episodes of The World Of Peter Rabbit, Stressed Eric and Meg and Mog

Ethel and Ernest was a dream project for Mainwood, who spent eight years developing it before it went into production, writing the screenplay and drawing most of the storyboards himself. The end result is a testament to his hard work and will continue to speak to audiences for generations to come. He will be missed.

Our thoughts are with Roger's family and friends at this sad time.



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