Hocus Pocus Brings the Bayeux Tapestry to Life for the British Museum
Three animated short films for the British Museum’s learning programme, released to accompany what became the most in-demand exhibition in the Museum’s history.
The Bayeux Tapestry arrived at the British Museum this year, and Hocus Pocus Studio was commissioned to make three animated short films for its learning programme.
Aimed at secondary school audiences but built to work for a much wider one, the films lift figures and scenes directly from the embroidery and set them in motion, with hand-drawn animation filling the Tapestry’s gaps closely enough that the join isn’t visible.
“The main creative challenge was staying faithful to the original artwork,” says Executive Producer James Murphy. “We didn’t want to ever stray too far from what was on the Tapestry itself, but still find room for the humour needed to keep it fun to watch.”
The second film traces the Tapestry’s own survival story, from its likely origins near Canterbury through Bayeux Cathedral, Nazi occupation in Paris during the Second World War, and its return home before this year’s loan to London, its first time in England in 950 years. Claudia Winkleman voices all three films.
Lucie Tuck-Brown, Digital Learning Manager at the British Museum, called Hocus Pocus “the dream team to work with,” adding that the trilogy “sparks awe and wonder, ignites curiosity, and inspires audiences to discover more about the extraordinary story of the Bayeux Tapestry.”
See the full project on our portfolio page.
The project has since been picked up by Stash Magazine, read the feature here:
https://www.stashmedia.tv/hocus-pocus-unravels-the-magic-of-the-bayeux-tapestry/
Credits
Client: The British Museum
Executive Producer: James Murphy
Animation Director: Justin Lowings
Art Director: Theresa Hilsden
Animation: Sze Hang Lo
Sound Mix: Tom Kavanagh