A Journey Into Scotland’s Craftsmanship | Glencairn Crystal Studio
A short animation produced for Glencairn Crystal Studio on the history of their whisky glass.
An animation on the history of a beloved whisky glass
Tasting whiskey is an art in itself, requiring a keen understanding of the nuances of flavour. Every whisky tasting experience needs to begin with the choice of glassware. The Glencairn Glass is renowned worldwide for its craftsmanship and timeless design.
This is what we discovered when the Chocolate Films Scotland team were lucky enough to be commissioned by Glencairn Crystal Studio to make a unique animation on the history of the glass and the people behind its unique design.
A special thanks to Launch Digital, Chocolate Films Scotland, Chocolate Films London, and Glencairn Crystal Studio, who all helped bring the history of the Glencairn Glass to life.
Not just any glass
The Glencairn Glass boasts a shape that is specially designed to showcase the best qualities of whisky. Its tulip-shaped bowl narrows towards the rim, allowing the aromas to gather and concentrate. This design not only enhances the olfactory experience but also prevents the escape of delicate scents.
The wide base of the glass provides stability, while the solid, tapered stem allows for comfortable handling and a touch of elegance. Together, these elements create an optimal vessel for appreciating the complexity and character of fine whiskies.
Developing the script and style
Working closely with our client, the creative team at Chocolate Films developed the script that captures the essence of the Glencairn family’s journey. We explored old photographs, original artwork and illustrations created by the founders. We conducted interviews with the leaders of the organisation and uncovered personal stories to grasp the spirit of the Glencairn Glass.
Drawing inspiration from these findings, our dedicated Chocolate Films animation team embarked on the storyboarding stage, translating the initial sketches of the founder Raymond Davidson into a visual style that would evoke the passion and profound love inherent in their craft.
Telling a story through animation
Through a collaborative effort, we carefully crafted the animation style with the inspiration from an archive of sketches and artworks by the renowned artist Jim Drysdale. These captivating illustrations provided us with a window into the intricate world of Glencairn’s history.
Each scene was carefully planned out showing key moments throughout the family’s journey. Led by one of Chocolate Films highly skilled Scottish animators these scenes were brought to life through various 2D animation techniques.
Choosing the right animation style
The mixed media/collage style, we used for The Glencairn Glass animation, can also work well for museum and art exhibitions. We previously collaborated closely with Leighton House on one of their permanent pieces. In the documentary, we used photos of Leighton, his house, and his friends to illustrate his life and work from a young child to his death.
Chocolate Films team have created animations for various clients and sectors. There’s a lot of creative freedom with animations compared to live-action videos, and choosing the right style can be difficult.
With our expertise and experience, we can help to find the right animation style for your project.
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What our clients say
and annual Awards. Mary, Lucia and the team did a fantastic job at capturing the look, feel and emotions tied to the events and we were really pleased at how they turned out. They held a number of briefing calls and kept us updated of their progress throughout! Looking forward to working with the team again!
The workshops are really hands-on and encourage so much creativity, which is fantastic to see. My child feels so proud of what they’re creating, and the films they work on always turn out brilliant.
If you’re looking for a fun and creative activity for your kids, I can’t recommend their workshops enough.
