Evie Mannion

I like Feathers McGraw from Wallace and Gromit: so quietly sinister and funny. I’ve always loved animation, in all it’s different forms. I wanted to explore my passion for animation and improve my skill level, after working in the creative industries. I want to be able to use them in my own animation studio.

Edge Hill makes getting students into careers after graduation a priority. Its sandwich year option with the added bonus of all the industry connections through Screen Skills [our animation degree is recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen-based industries] made it my clear choice.

My favourite part of the degree has been all the extracurricular trips. Conferences and conventions, as well as working with establishments requiring animation treatments. A field trip to Llandudno at the beginning of the year was really fun – I’d love to go again.

The most challenging part of my degree is the artistic hurdle. I was coming into this course with practical experience as opposed to a large portfolio of artwork, so I felt at a little bit of a disadvantage. But with excellent tutoring and teaching I’ve really developed my own style, and exceeded expectations. My lecturers all have very different practices, and work in very different animation styles, which is great. They have particular approaches to work and teaching, and that helps me embrace this very varied course.

My favourite Uni facility is The Catalyst, which contains the library. It’s open 24/7, so I can get my work done at whatever time I like. I might have a stroke of inspiration and want to put it down immediately, and the Catalyst is always ready to help me satisfy my creative hunger…and a few vending machines to satiate my normal hunger as well.

I love living on campus. My favourite place on campus is the accommodation where I spend most of my time. My flatmates are tons of fun to hang out with, and the accommodation itself is all lovely. Whenever I’ve had a busy day, I find cooking with my flatmate a really fun way to unwind. We cook and watch TV and maybe play some games too. I plan to live here until I graduate. The campus is very tightly knit. Everything that you could need for your work and for your free time is readily accessible, and if I want to go into town, it’s only a short walk or a quick bus ride.

I’m a bit of a Doctor Who fan, or ‘Whovian’ as we call ourselves. I joined the Doctor Who Society at Edge Hill University. It’s a great opportunity to meet a fun group of people and spend free time with them after studying. I also like listening to a bit of lo-fi hip-hop. It really mellows me out after a busy day of study.

When I’m getting ready to go out I’ll put on ‘I Wish’ by Stevie Wonder. The new Students’ Union is a great place to spend time with friends instead of an accommodation kitchen. One of the things me and my friends did was go to Formby Beach. It’s only a train ride away, and it’s a great and picturesque place to spend an afternoon during the weekend. And the last thing I saw was Conclave. I thought it was excellent, really good dialogue.

After graduation I hope to fully establish my animation studio, TeaMation Studios. I produce marketing and advertising material for clients. But I also hope to work at other animation studios, gaining practical experience. This way I get a good feel for the animation industry.

My advice to applicants? Focus on what you want to do as a future career and work your way back. A degree here will be focused on helping you realise that future.

I know it’s a common one, but my dad’s my hero. He’s an incredibly clever and productive person, and I hope to live up to those standards.