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Business Plan for Peace

It is here, on this connected Earth, that we re-discovered peace. A youthful Gaia recounts the struggle and determination that made this possible. Plan for Peace is a digital cut-out animation made in collaboration with global NGO Business Plan For Peace.

  • Leo Crane
    Director
  • Maya Williams
    Writer
  • Teohna Williams
    Producer
  • Maya Williams
    Key Cast
    "Gaia"
  • Patrick Yates
    Design & Animation
  • Leo Crane
    Design & Animation
  • Andrew Hayes
    Music
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short, Web / New Media, Other
  • Genres:
    Humanitarian, animation, political, activist
  • Runtime:
    3 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 16, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    4,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • International Human Rights Film Festival of Albania
    Country-wide
    Albania
    September 14, 2020
    World
    non-competitive
  • Manchester Animation Festival
    Manchester
    United Kingdom
    November 15, 2020
    British
    tbc
Distribution Information
  • Figuration
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Leo Crane

Leo is an animator, painter and co-founder of creative studio Figuration. He collaborates with museums, libraries, creative industries and community organisations across the UK. He graduated from Bournemouth University with an MA (Distinction) in 3D Computer Animation and continues his artistic development under the guidance of Maggi Hambling. He is represented by Future Icons.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Business Plan for Peace is building a world without war. Founded by three-times Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr Scilla Elworthy, they bring together business, governments and civil society at local, national, and global levels.

I was commissioned to create an animation to kickstart their outreach. From our initial discussions, it was clear that this needed to be a creative, emotive call to action, rather than an ‘explainer’. Furthermore, it had speak with their distinctive voice, combining a significant track record with a youthful energy to show that peace is possible.

My concept was rooted in imagining a peaceful, connected Earth in the near future. By setting the animation there, we could make is easier to see this ambition as achievable. The Earth herself (Gaia) would narrate how we arrived at this peace, and how it all started with you (the viewer) making a pledge (the call to action). With that in mind, I reached out to poet Maya Williams to write and voice a narrative.

At the same time, I worked with animator Patrick Yates to develop a visual language that would resonate across cultures and time. I chose shadow play as the initial source, an art form found across continents and centuries. I added colour to increase a sense of optimism, taking inspiration from paper cutting, also an ancient art familiar to several world cultures. Andrew Hayes composed an original score, bringing an urgent, contemporary energy to the film. This was mixed with Maya’s voice and added effects to create the soundtrack.

The film was launched on the Business Plan for Peace website and shared through social media and events.