Graduate 'proud' to work on Wallace and Gromit film

Beth Jones worked as a set dresser and prop maker on Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

A graduate said she was "very proud" to have worked on the new Wallace and Gromit film.

Beth Jones was among three alumni of the University of Hertfordshire who contributed to the production of Vengeance Most Fowl, which was one of the most-watched TV shows of Christmas 2024.

Ms Jones, a model design graduate, worked as a set dresser and prop maker on the Aardman film, which has since been shortlisted in the Animated Feature Film category at this year's Academy Awards.

"I knew it was going to be good," she said. "I never thought I'd get the chance to work on such a British classic."

Ms Jones, who graduated in 2020, said her role involved "handmaking anything that might dress the set, such as furniture, mugs, tools and anything the characters might hold".

She also worked with lighting, cameras, directors, rigging and animation teams to get the set ready for each specific shot of the stop motion film.

Fellow University of Hertfordshire graduates Felix Peever and Avneet Poonian also contributed to the film, which has had more than 21.6 million viewers across BBC TV and BBC iPlayer since its initial broadcast on Christmas Day.

Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl has been viewed more than 21.6 million times across BBC TV and iPlayer

Ms Jones said: "The sets were a pleasure to work on, as they were filled with props, which made my role even more enjoyable due to the abundance of miniature objects to create.

"It gave me the skills and knowledge of the tools and materials used in the industry and allowed me to be creative and create some good work to put in my portfolio."

She added that a scene in which protagonist Feathers McGraw was dressed as a nun on a pleasure cruise was among her favourites to have worked on.

The Aardman production has been nominated for best animated film at this year's Oscars

Stephen Partridge, from the University of Hertfordshire's school of creative arts, said: "We're incredibly proud of our graduates Beth, Felix, and Avneet, who contributed to the most-watched film on TV this year.

"It's inspiring to see their talents and the skills they honed at Herts brought to life on the big screen, joining an ever-growing list of alumni making their mark in the creative industries."

• Watch Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl on BBC iPlayer