A CLACKS filmmaker has been taking the animation world by storm with her debut film picking up a incredible haul of awards.

Hannah Kelso, originally from Alloa, co-wrote Night of the Living Dread as her graduation project.

Indeed, it has since gone to claim numerous awards and was even nominated for a BAFTA.

The film uses stop motion animation – the popular filmmaking technique behind the likes of Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run.

It has been hailed by critics, having won both an Annie Award and a Royal Television Society Award, on top of being nominated for the BAFTA and a British Independent Film Award.

Night of the Living Dread, coming in at just over 11 minutes long, features a woman who can’t sleep as she is confronted by night terrors from various points from her past.

 

A screenshot from Night of the Living Dread.

A screenshot from Night of the Living Dread.

 

Hannah told the Advertiser: “It was such a defining moment for my career. But more than that, it was actually quite nerve-wracking.

“I couldn’t wait to tell my friends and family but it was very intimidating being up for those awards.

“I was so proud of my team and we were absolutely elated that we were considered, but overall it was nerve-wracking.”

Upon leaving Alloa Academy, Hannah went on to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and worked in the camera department to learn her way around a set.

 

A set photo from Night of the Living Dread.

A set photo from Night of the Living Dread.

 

Hannah then went on to secure a scholarship at the National Film and Television School in London where she met the rest of the team that worked on Night of the Living Dread.

From there, she co-wrote the film alongside Laura Jayne Turnbridge and even managed to get Stephen Fry to record a cameo in the film.

Night of the Living Dread took 17 months of planning and eight months of continuous filming to complete.

Looking ahead, Hannah is working on developing the film into a feature and is planning on pitching new ideas to Sony in the coming weeks.

 

Hannah (left) with members of her team at the BAFTA Awards.

Hannah (left) with members of her team at the BAFTA Awards.

 

Hannah hopes aspiring filmmakers can use her story as inspiration to keep chasing their careers.

She said: “I would advise anyone interested in the arts to utilise the higher education facilities at their disposal, there are loads of good courses out there.

“Another route in is by doing a traineeship through Screen Scotland including a big one working on Outlander.

“The trick to success in a creative industry is finishing your project – don’t let an idea go unfinished.”

Night of the Living Dread, directed by Ida Melum, can be viewed on the New Yorker YouTube channel.