Animation legend opens new NUCA Media Lab

British Animation legend Keith Chapman (pictured above), creator of worldwide successes such as Bob The Builder, Roary The Racing Car and Fifi and the Flowertots, visited Norwich to officially open the Norwich University College of the Arts Media Lab. The Victorian school building has gone through a year-long, £1.5 million refurbishment to provide facilities to house NUCA’s Animation and Games Art and Design courses.

Keith lived in Norfolk as a teenager and is a celebrated alumnus of NUCA. He now heads Chapman Entertainment in Altrincham, Cheshire – an award-winning studio specialising in the creation, production and IP management of a string of successful children’s animations which have gone on to achieve international broadcast in 148 countries.

Keith took a tour of the NUCA Media Lab's digital 2D and 3D facilities, sound rooms, lecturing and presentation studios, before officially opening the building in front of invited VIP guests and the press.

He reflected: "Looking back at when I was at college, we literally just had sketch pads and dried up magic markers. Somehow we managed! It's unbelievable to look around the NUCA Media Lab and see the state-of-the-art equipment available for students to use. I could be walking around a top animation studio."

He added: "It is so important for students to have a great portfolio to show and NUCA’s students will be equipped to produce portfolios of work at a level which can get them those all important jobs."

NUCA Principal John Last said: "We have invested significantly in ensuring our Animation and Games Art & Design courses maintain their position at the forefront of media education, not only in terms of installing state-of-the-art facilities but also in attracting and retaining highly rated academic and technical staff who are practitioners and researchers in the field. The NUCA Media Lab adds value to courses that have established reputations in their industries for turning out graduates of the highest calibre."

Invited guests congregate to mark the official opening of the NUCA Media Lab

MP for South Norwich Simon Wright chats to Keith Chapman

Principal John Last captured on camera by an ITV camera as he delivers his speech

Keith Chapman delivers a seminar to NUCA Animation students