About Form Play
Back in 2018, Mark Davis and Catharine Pitt launched 'Form Play' after experiencing creative burnout. They made the bold decision to ditch the work that was draining them and focus on the one thing they truly enjoyed - animation.
"We had lost our sense of play, so it was crucial that our new business revolved around it. Now, the sweet spot between 'form' and 'play' is at the heart of everything we do"
— Catharine
Using 'play' as a guiding principle may, initially, appear to lack strategy. But it can be a powerful tool for animators. When you focus on play, you’re more likely to come up with unusual solutions, take creative risks, and find innovative ways to tell stories.
As Catharine explained “For us, play isn't the side-hustle once the client work is complete, it's integral to our practice - in both our approach and the animation itself”.
I started in the industry as an Illustrator, creating cartoons for many leading publishers. While they weren't moving images, it taught me how to express key poses, actions and emotions, in a single shot
— Mark
In contrast, Catharine’s varied background adds to the playful mix of influences, having trained as a classical musician, working in the arts, before becoming a Creative Director. "Animation encompasses so many disciplines, but the rhythm and timings of sequences are key."
Understand how to play with the beats and use them to enhance the humour, or gravity of a scene
— Catharine
To make characterful animations, the studio uses a range of 2d software from TVPaint to Adobe After Effects. However, their most used tool isn't one that requires a download... the pencil.
"Drawing finds its way into all our work - even After Effects projects start with a pencil" — Mark
And the future?
With a forever-learning approach to the industry, the studio are embracing a self-imposed 'Year of Play', with ventures into 3d character animation.
We're excited to experiment with new tools such as Blender and Grease Pencil. While it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the fast-pace of progress in the industry, try treating it as another form of play
— Mark
