Hold on to your Pan Pipes! Aardman's 'Shaun the Sheep' 'LLAMA DRAMA' hits BBC One in about hour!

Voice artist SEAN CONNOLLY provides the voice of Hector the Llama in 'SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE FARMER'S LLAMAS' for Aardman Animations - Boxing Day BBC One ...

Just under an hour until 'SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE FARMER'S LLAMAS' hits Boxing Day telly ... 

Tune in to BBC One at 6.10pm for half an hour of Alpaca Anarchy!!

Golden Globe Nomination for 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' and 5 Annie Award Nominations.

Yesterday lunchtime the nominations for the 73rd Golden Globes were announced from the Beverley Hilton Hotel, Beverley Hills in Los Angeles. After an agonising few minutes wait the news that Aardman's 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' had secured a nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature. I'm so proud to be a part of this wonderful film, it certainly deserves all the attention it's getting, of course I would say that!

The nominated animated features this year, include two very diverse stop motion films: 'ANOMALISA' (which looks amazing!) and of course 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE', with Disney Pixar's 'INSIDE OUT' and 'THE GOOD DINOSAUR' with 'THE PEANUTS MOVIE' completing the five. So a pretty competitive set of nominees to say the least! We'll find out who comes away with the award on Sunday January 10th 2016, just four days before we find out whether 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' will be rewarded with an Oscar nomination too, all just a wee bit crazy??!!

Still on the awards trail ... 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' has also had some other brilliant news.

The Annie Awards (basically the animation Oscars!) are, quoting from their own website ... 

"The event celebrating individuals for a lifetime or career contributions to the art of animation in producing, directing, animating, design, writing, voice acting, sound and sound effects, technical work, music, professional teaching, and for other endeavours which exhibit outstanding contributions to excellence in animation."

'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' has been nominated in FIVE categories:

1.) Best Animated Feature.

2.) Outstanding Achievement in Directing for Richard Starzac and Mark Burton.

3.) Outstanding Achievement in Writing an Animated Feature for Richard Starzac and Mark Burton.

4.) Outstanding Achievement in Production Design for Matt Perry and Gavin Lines.

5.) Outstanding Achievement in Editorial in an Animated Feature for Sim Evan-Jones.

The 43rd Annual Annie Awards will be presented on Saturday February 6th 2016 at UCLA's Royce Hall in Los Angeles.

Christmas Radio Times Cover for 'SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE FARMER'S LLAMAS' - Boxing Day - BBC ONE at 6.10PM.

Well it's a double whammy of festive news ... not only has the date and time of the thirty minute special 'SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE FARMER'S LLAMAS' been announced, but as you can see we've also made the cover of the legendary Double Issue Christmas Radio Times!

Also great news that 'SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE FARMER'S LLAMAS' has been given a prime time Boxing Day slot of 6.10PM on BBC ONE ... If you happen to miss it on Boxing day then fear not, there is another opportunity to see it on New Years Day, again on BBC ONE at 4.05PM.

It's also worth mentioning that there is an insightful documentary about Aardman again on Boxing Day called 'A GRAND NIGHT IN: THE STORY OF AARDMAN' on BBC ONE at 2.25PM.

If you simply can't wait until Boxing day, here's a little sneak peek of the Llama Drama!

It was great fun recording Hector, 'SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE FARMER'S LLAMAS' is a real treat.

Remember a Llama is not just for Christmas!!

A Christmas Special 'Llama Drama' for 'SHAUN THE SHEEP'.

Voice actor Sean Connolly with Hector the Llama from Aardman's Christmas Special 'SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE FARMER'S LLAMAS'.

Following on from the release of Aardman Animations world-wide hit 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' earlier this year I am thrilled to announce my involvement in 'SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE FARMER'S LLAMAS', the first ever Shaun the Sheep thirty-minute festive special which will air on BBC One this Christmas. The exact transmission date and time will be announced in the Christmas Radio Times which is out next weekend.

In 'SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE FARMER'S LLAMAS' I voice HECTOR the LLAMA, leader of a troublesome trio of Llamas. 

Here's the Synopsis:  When the Farmer and Bitzer go to a Country Fair, Shaun steals away with them intent on causing mischief. Shaun spies an auction where he sees three exotic and very crafty Llamas going under the hammer. Instantly besotted by their fantastic pranks Shaun cleverly gets the unwitting Farmer to buy them.

Back at Mossy Bottom Farm, Shaun is delighted with his prank and convinces the Flock that the Llamas (Hector, Fernando and Raul) are just what they need to spice up their lives. At first everything’s great fun, but soon their new Llama room-mates get a bit too comfortable in their new home.

When things spiral out of control, Shaun is forced to take action to oust the intruders and save the farm.

The film has been available to stream in America for a few weeks now, before it's UK screening this Christmas, here's the trailer.

  

On Monday 26th October 2015 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry visited a charities forum event hosted by BAFTA & Aardman where the World Premiere of 'SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE FARMER'S LLAMAS' was presented.

Created by RICHARD STARZAK and directed by JAY GRACE, 'SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE FARMER'S LLAMAS' will continue Aardman’s long heritage of festive specials on the BBC following on from the now legendary WALLACE AND GROMIT shorts. 

'HOOD' - BBC Audio Drama Awards Nominees for THIRD SUCCESSIVE year!

The complete collection of covers from the 'HOOD' audio adventures produced by Spiteful Puppet.

Exciting news for the fine fellows of SPITEFUL PUPPET and their 'HOOD' series of audio adventures. They have been shortlisted for the THIRD SUCCESSIVE time for the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2016. 

'HOOD: KING'S COMMAND' is once again competing in the Best On-Line Audio Drama category. Here's the complete list of nominees. Can they match last years WIN in the same category? We'll know the results on JANUARY 31st next year. 

I feel very fortunate to have played BROTHER TUCK throughout the series. Fingers crossed they make the finalist stage for January!

'BATTLE LINES' by 104 Films wins the RTS Midlands Centre - 'The Diversity Award' 2015

Sean Connolly pictured with the Royal Television Society (Midlands Centre) 'The Diversity Award' 2015 for 'Battle Lines'.

Wonderful news that the World War One drama 'BATTLE LINES' in which I played Alf Robertson won 'The Diversity Award' at last nights Royal Television Society Gala Dinner held at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull.

104 Films produced the film for the British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust (BSLBT) in association with Ark Media Productions, (Phil Arkinstall pictured above). Writer and Director is Julian Peedle-Calloo.

It is now available to watch online at the British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust website here.

Oscar Nomination race begins for 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE'.

Hot on the heals of the Children's BAFTA Nominations for 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' comes the news that The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences have announced that 16 animated features have been submitted for Oscar nomination consideration. I am delighted to say that 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' is on that list! The 16 films are:

Anomalisa
Home

Hotel Transylvania 2
Inside Out
Kahlil Gibranas The Prophet

Minions

Moomins on the Riviera

Regular Show: The Movie

Shaun the Sheep Movie

The Boy and the Beast

The Boy and the World

The Good Dinosaur

The Laws of the Universe a Part 0

The Peanuts Movie

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge out of Water

When Marnie Was There

The 88th Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Thursday, January 14, 2016.