Animation used to be for kids - but not any more. Hugely popular TV shows like The Simpsons, Beavis And Butthead and 2dtv are now mainstream adult viewing.

Digital technology has allowed the imagination of animators to run riot and opened up new markets.

And in a further development the number of women in the business has mushroomed.

Sarah Strickett is one of the women animators involved in the Brighton Digital Festival which starts this week.

Sarah makes music videos, adverts, stings and idents through her company Big Hands based in New England House, New England Street, Brighton. She is currently working for 2dtv for ITV.

Her "fantastical" work draws on ideas from German Expressionism and retro images to Fifties science fiction horror films. She describes it as somewhere between Harry Potter and Dracula.

She said: "I used to do traditional TV animation which was just drawing images but I always wanted to combine live action and animation using actors.

"People are now pushing image to the absolute limit and the quality of work has really improved."

Sarah makes music videos and has worked with American band Secret Chiefs 3, creating a video for their new song White As They Come.

She said digital animation was a growing market for women because it offered a better work-life balance.

"When it comes to making your own films a lot of women choose animation rather than live action because you can do it so much more easily.

"You don't have huge overheads, you don't need crews and locations. You can make it on your own and get your message across in a more abstract and creative way.

"Your studio can be your home so, particularly if you have children, your work-life balance can be much easier."

Sarah, 41, is running a workshop during the festival.

She said: "I'm showing how you can use your computer as a tool for animation. It can be used very creatively if you have the ideas.

"Digital animation is used in a huge amount of TV adverts and for the type of motion graphics you see on GMTV or news programmes. Channel 4 and BBC Two are particularly supportive of animators."

The digital festival heralds a month of events showcasing the city as a centre of digital excellence and celebrates the talents of the city's pioneering digital community.

It features ground-breaking work from award-winning artists, an animation workshop, digital film events and an interactive art installation.

Highlights include Future Anime, a showcase of fresh new directors at the Duke of Yorks Cinema on November 19, CineCity, a digital film evening at the Sallis Benney Theatre on November 21, and New Direction in Documentary at City College Brighton and Hove on November 22. The event is jointly organised by Wired Sussex, Fabrica and Sussex Community Internet Project.

Tara Solesbury, project manager for Wired Sussex, said: "This is the first Brighton digital film festival and is designed to put the city on the map as a centre of digital excellence. It is at the cutting edge of development for software as well as content.

"We have designed the festival so that there is something for everyone from entertainment to career development."

Tony Miller, director of cultural services for Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "Brighton and Hove has a diverse and expanding digital community. The festival is an excellent occasion for individuals and organisations to broaden the audience for their work.

"It's also a great opportunity to illustrate how the city has progressed in terms of the fusion of art, community and innovation."

For more information about the festival visit www.brightondigitalfestival.co.uk
Tuesday, November 8, 2005