Gradwatch 2026: George Cook, University for the Creative Arts
Stop motion animator Cook is one of the picks for our annual Gradwatch showcase, where we celebrate the next generation of talent in the creative industries
Despite being a highly technical creative medium, stop motion has long been celebrated for its simple charm. From children’s film and television to meticulously crafted commercials, it is most commonly associated with warmth and tactility.
None of that is lacking in the work of George Cook, yet the University for the Creative Arts animation graduate is interested in exploring what happens when those same qualities are transposed into a darker, more unsettling context.
Cook has spent the past three years refining a practice that combines character-driven storytelling with psychological tension. While moments of dry humour occasionally surface in his short films, “I’ve aimed to develop more of an emotional, cinematic quality alongside integrating subtle comic timing, especially in my recent work,” he says.
That ambition culminates in his graduation film. Titled Release, it is set in a remote rural landscape and follows an isolated man confronted by a deeply repressed desire. Rather than relying on spectacle, the film builds its tension through carefully observed character animation, tactile puppets and a creeping sense of unease.
“My intention was to fully delve into a psychological, body horror setting inspired by the work of John Carpenter,” Cook explains. “Equally, I aimed to push the sympathetic relatability of the protagonist to its fullest through the tactility of stop motion, balancing both an uneasy tone with an intimate character journey.”
Much of Release’s impact lies in the contrast between grotesque subject matter and the visible mechanics of stop motion. Every movement carries the slight imperfections that make the medium feel unmistakably human, lending emotional weight to a story that could easily have become purely horrific.
Studying animation at UCA gave Cook the space to develop his artistic voice. Access to dedicated stop motion studios proved invaluable, but he is equally quick to credit his tutors for encouraging him to experiment and offering thoughtful critique throughout his time on the course.
“The studios were excellent for facilitating my work progression, alongside the dedication of my tutors in tailoring specific feedback to advance my craft,” he says. “The best advice I received was how to effectively adapt to and utilise constructive criticism while still maintaining an authentic creative voice.”
In 2025, during his second year, Cook won Best Animation in the 18-25 category at the annual Animated Histories Film Festival, and was named Overall Winner of that age group, leading to a commission for English Heritage and Shout Out Loud. The project also included a place on the Aardman Academy’s mentorship programme, offering him an early insight into the realities of studio production. “It was an incredible opportunity,” Cook reflects. “Especially understanding the professional process behind a commissioned piece in industry.”
I haven’t used AI in my workflow and I don’t see that changing. I don’t see particular compatibility with a handcrafted medium like stop motion
While AI is increasingly becoming common practice across the animation industry, Cook sees little place for it within his own practice. For him, the appeal of stop motion lies precisely in its physicality and the intensive labour involved in bringing inanimate objects to life frame by frame.
“I haven’t used AI in my workflow and I don’t see that changing,” he says. “While I can acknowledge partial benefits, such as streamlining studio technical issues, I don’t see particular compatibility with a handcrafted medium like stop motion.”
That commitment to craft, coupled with his quiet determination, should set Cook in good stead as he prepares to enter the industry, particularly given the fierce competition due to the relatively small number of specialist stop motion studios in the UK.
For now though, his ambition is clear: secure a junior animator role at an “established stop motion studio like Aardman”, continue learning and keep refining. Although Cook is sure to face a few obstacles along the way, “I’ve already overcome my own insecurities with pursuing a career in a medium I adore.”