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Animation students create video to support parents planning caesarean births

The students’ collaboration with Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has led to the creation of a unique and useful resource

    Ellen De Brito-Morris, Courtney James and Lauren Steele in the Animation studios
    Ellen De Brito-Morris, Courtney James and Lauren Steele in the Animation studios

    Three students from our BA (Hons) Animation course have recently worked with Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) to create an animated film to help new parents who will be having planned caesarean births. Believed to be the first and only one of its kind in the UK, the aim of the video is to maximise the support available to parents having planned caesarean births, which currently make up 11% of total births at NUH maternity units.

    Ellen De Brito-Morris, Courtney James and Lauren Steele, all in their final year of our Animation course, worked on every element of the video. From designing the characters, backgrounds, assets and annotations, to providing technical expertise and post-production activities, they worked on the video as part of a collaboration, with input and feedback from maternity patients and clinicians. This therefore gave them invaluable industry experience.

    Dr Amelia Banks, Lead Obstetric Anesthetist at Nottingham City Hospital, commented: “We are incredibly grateful to the students at NTU for working with the Trust to produce such a fantastic and unique resource that we hope will be helpful to new parents and put their minds at ease ahead of their planned caesarean birth.”

    A still from the students' video
    A still from the students' video

    Andy Love, Animation course leader, said: “Digital animation can help improve people’s lives and give people a sense of perspective which they otherwise may never have had. This video will help reduce the uncertainty many people feel when approaching their first ever planned caesarean section operation and help them realise how magical this form of childbirth can be. It’s a fantastic real-life project which has allowed our students to create something unique and meaningful which will make a difference to the lives of many parents to be.”

    On her wider experience on the Animation course, Courtney told us: “I chose this course as the facilities were much better than other universities, and all the lecturers had a friendly and approachable vibe. Having the freedom to experiment and express my own style is brilliant.”

    Ellen commented: “I would 100% recommend studying animation at NTU. The tutors really care about who you want to be as an artist. I really value how passionate they are about improving our work; they teach us with such genuine passion.”

    Lauren added: “I have learned how to work in a studio environment, and how to speak for myself. I have gained in confidence thanks to the people I am surrounded by, which has made such an impact on my life.”

    Published on 15 October 2018
    • Subject area: Art and design
    • Category: Current students; NTU Arts; School of Art & Design