by Jo Johnstone
Seeing as the Im With Geek family are so excited for the release of Aardman's Shaun the Sheep Movie, it seemed appropriate to use this month's Movies In Motion to drool over another of the studios claymation creations.
Last year, with the aid of a kickstarter campaign, audiences saw the return of an icon. Aardman Animation, not content with making just award winning films, have resurrected a studio favourite with their lovable and mischievous clay man Morph.
Seeing as the Im With Geek family are so excited for the release of Aardman's Shaun the Sheep Movie, it seemed appropriate to use this month's Movies In Motion to drool over another of the studios claymation creations.
Last year, with the aid of a kickstarter campaign, audiences saw the return of an icon. Aardman Animation, not content with making just award winning films, have resurrected a studio favourite with their lovable and mischievous clay man Morph.
The studio have produced fifteen new short episodes following Morph and his friends that debuted last July via YouTube. To celebrate his return to our screens we look back over the journey of Morph and why he is one of Aardman's best creations.
The character of Morph was created by Aardman maestro and co-founder Peter Lord. Morph, a cheeky and curious claymation man, is Terracotta in colour and lives in a wooden artists pencil box. Speaking in his own brand of speech, made up of noises which can be described as gobbledygook. Despite this language barrier, communication is never a problem due to his brilliantly over active mannerisms and expressive face. Through variations of his mouth and eyes Morph has a full range of expressions. The tone of his speech also aids in communication as he can easily portray shock, joy, sadness and adulation. Morph's speech style also makes up for much of his comic appeal.
Coming out of his box to play and interact with his shows presenters, he gained his own following for his cheeky antics. Commissioned by the BBC the character made his debut on children's arts and crafts programme Take Hart in 1977. Appearing in one minute segments throughout the show, presented by TV veteran Tony Hart. Morph would frolic around the shows art supplies then finally interact with Hart himself. Later on in his run Morph was joined by Chas, his cream-coloured naughty friend, as well as Grandmorph and Nailbrush, his 'canine' companion.
After Take Hart ended Morph stared in his own spin off series, The Amazing Adventures of Morph. Running from 1980 the show allowed the character to grow and develop his own background separate from Hart. The duo would however reunite on Take Hart follow up Hartbeat from 1984.
The character of Morph was created by Aardman maestro and co-founder Peter Lord. Morph, a cheeky and curious claymation man, is Terracotta in colour and lives in a wooden artists pencil box. Speaking in his own brand of speech, made up of noises which can be described as gobbledygook. Despite this language barrier, communication is never a problem due to his brilliantly over active mannerisms and expressive face. Through variations of his mouth and eyes Morph has a full range of expressions. The tone of his speech also aids in communication as he can easily portray shock, joy, sadness and adulation. Morph's speech style also makes up for much of his comic appeal.
Coming out of his box to play and interact with his shows presenters, he gained his own following for his cheeky antics. Commissioned by the BBC the character made his debut on children's arts and crafts programme Take Hart in 1977. Appearing in one minute segments throughout the show, presented by TV veteran Tony Hart. Morph would frolic around the shows art supplies then finally interact with Hart himself. Later on in his run Morph was joined by Chas, his cream-coloured naughty friend, as well as Grandmorph and Nailbrush, his 'canine' companion.
After Take Hart ended Morph stared in his own spin off series, The Amazing Adventures of Morph. Running from 1980 the show allowed the character to grow and develop his own background separate from Hart. The duo would however reunite on Take Hart follow up Hartbeat from 1984.
Morph returned to our screens with small intervals on childrens arts and crafts show SMart. This presented Morph to a new generation of children but kept to his original style and character. Appearing on the show until 2005 while also getting another spin-off, The Morph Files. Morph had all but retired from the limelight before Aardman decided to resurrect him for a new series of his own show.
The new series was funded by donations of a Kickstarter programme. The target was hit in an impressive nine days and shows the love the character has earned.
His return has been greeted with great enthusiasm from his backers and the public in general. To promote the new series Morph himself did not sit idle. Last year the little fella was joined by celebrity friends in Aardman workshop's, showed his love of football for The World Cup and even made an appearance at Glastonbury. A welcome return for our small friend and with Aardman at the helm you know the series is filled with laughter and joy.
Just look at the debut episode Twin Decks where Morph and Chas stumble upon a pair of decks. The pair brilliantly try their hand at being DJ's. By walking, running and skidding over the records.
A welcome return for the amazing Morph.
Remember to subscribe to Morph's YouTube channel to watch his new adventures in full.
The new series was funded by donations of a Kickstarter programme. The target was hit in an impressive nine days and shows the love the character has earned.
His return has been greeted with great enthusiasm from his backers and the public in general. To promote the new series Morph himself did not sit idle. Last year the little fella was joined by celebrity friends in Aardman workshop's, showed his love of football for The World Cup and even made an appearance at Glastonbury. A welcome return for our small friend and with Aardman at the helm you know the series is filled with laughter and joy.
Just look at the debut episode Twin Decks where Morph and Chas stumble upon a pair of decks. The pair brilliantly try their hand at being DJ's. By walking, running and skidding over the records.
A welcome return for the amazing Morph.
Remember to subscribe to Morph's YouTube channel to watch his new adventures in full.
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