1ina100 caught up with Natalie Young after releasing her latest animation 'Spilt Milk'

Using limited movement and line, Natalie Young creates films that explore the purpose and possibility of narrative in animation. Her interest in biology, marine life and Mexican culture stem from her Southern California upbringing, and a love of nature and our relationship with our world are common themes throughout. Spilt Milk is her FdA graduation film and is currently studying at University of the Arts London.


Spilt Milk from Natalie Young on Vimeo.

What are you currently doing ?

Currently, I am sitting in my front room with my flatmate watching a show about the giant catfish of the Amazon. A fascinating creature, really. Apparently the only fish that breathes air because the muddiness of the Amazon river makes it impossible to use their gills.
I am also currently doing my final year at the London College of Communication and I'm in the works for my next film.

When did you first get into the idea of becoming an animator ? was there something you saw that provoked the urge to animate ?

I still remember going to Disney World with my family when I was about 5 years old, and one of the things that was on exhibit at the time was the Nightmare Before Christmas models and sets from the film. There was a sense of magic that surrounded them, a whole other world that I found absolutely amazing and after, I promptly requested a flip-book kit I had seen in a book shop. As I was getting older I found an interest in marine-biology. I did some work experience at SeaWorld in San Diego before I realized I hated swimming. So, I went back to animation.

Your not from London originally. Why did you chose London as a place to study animation ?

To be perfectly honest, I just wanted an excuse to move to London.

Some people may not understand how much work is needed to produce these animations, how many people ended up working on your last piece ?

There were four of us working on Spilt Milk with a month or so having an extra hand from another animation year. It is a lot of hard work, but you stop noticing it after a while, and its never torturous if you love what you do. There was a week right at the end there where we had to tag team, so one person could have a nap until 2am while the rest of us worked, then we would switch so the next person would sleep until 4am, etc. I really never want to do that again.

What would you eventually like to end up doing ?

Living in Mexico directing a children's series. We can all dream.

We hope to see a lot more of Natalie Young's work in the future and will keep you updated on any further projects. 


1ina100