Team Christmas
Some moments of festive fun across the team
Alongside our seasonal Jump Cuts animation, we wanted to spread a bit of the festive cheer in the form of some of the silliness we’ve been up to this month. As a studio, everyone is taking a bit of a well-earned break to enjoy some family time this Christmas, but before downing tools for a few days, we spent some time as a team enjoying all the season has to offer!
Party time!
Earlier in December, the team went out together for a bit of festive fun. Mike treated everyone to a couple of rounds of very modern crazy golf at Putters in Manchester – a circus-themed electronic version with mad machines and confusing challenges that had us all laughing and screaming at the near misses and wild fails (mainly from Alex…). Despite Mike’s competitive streak, it was Winston that took the win overall!
Mike followed that by taking us for a delicious festive meal at Diecast, and then some slightly inebriated darts at Twenty22. Yet again, Alex was comfortable with a consistent last place, but it seemed like everyone was struggling a bit, resulting in one of the longest games of Round the World… It felt great to go out as a team, celebrate some of the highlights of this year, and generally enjoy some downtime after a busy few months!
While out enjoying some Christmas-themed cocktails, talk naturally turned to some of the creative highlights of the season in the form of our favourite festive films and songs. There are so many great seasonal movies to choose from, whether you’re into those winter classics, or prefer things a little more niche (Die Hard IS a Christmas film…).
Here are our picks of the bunch…!
Top Festive Flicks
Mike
Film: Scrooged
A modern (80’s) retelling of the classic Charles Dickens story “A Christmas Carol”, starring THE Bill Murray as a selfish TV executive haunted by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. It’s hilarious and outrageous, but also really heartfelt, particularly the iconic end speech from Bill.
Song: Don’t Let The Bells End (The Darkness)
What’s not to love about this innuendo-laden, falsetto-fuelled, guitar-solo-packed rock classic? Gets me right in the mood and puts a smile on my face.
James
Film: Robin Robin
As much as I love “The Muppets Christmas Carol”, I have been really enjoying some of the newer ones that have been on offer. That Christmas was a particular favourite last year. “Robin Robin” from Aardman is so lovely and sweet, and looked fantastic with Aardman trying something other than the usual clay style we’ve come to expect from them.
Song: Merry Christmas, Everyone (Shakin’ Stevens)
It changes every year, but this is the one that’s been getting me in the mood most this year! However my guilty pleasure has been Kylie’s “XMAS” – my Alexa has grown tired of the endless requests for it.
Winston
Film: Krampus
It isn’t Christmas unless you put on a horror film… It’s about a family trying to survive Christmas while being stalked by a malevolent festive being. Honourable mention for “A Christmas Ghost Story” on BBC 1. Every Christmas, BBC create a new ghost story for the season, a gentle festive spooky viewing for those who aren’t that into horror.
Song: Last Christmas (Wham!)
The definitive Christmas song. No other version, has to be Wham!
Alex
Film: The Nightmare Before Christmas
It’s a tie between this and “The Muppet’s Christmas Carol” for me. My sister and I have watched both every Christmas Eve since we were little. There’s nothing like hearing those songs to make me feel festive – I think I could recite both films start to finish! I’ll choose NBC though because it was one of the reasons I went into animation in the end.
Song: Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)
Always my seasonal karaoke song of choice! However, my Dad had a CD he would play on repeat every Christmas, so for me it doesn’t feel festive without those old tunes playing (featuring the likes of David Bowie, Mud, Wham, Brenda Lee, Jona Lewie, and The Pogues).
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