Skipton animators create Katy Perry's Resilient video

The American singer, who has recently welcomed her first child with actor Orlando Bloom, turned to Skipton-based Kettu Studios to provide the animation for her latest single, Resilient.

The team filmed the stop motion video at the water-powered High Corn Mill in Skipton in isolation bubbles at the height of lockdown.

It took animator Virpi Kettu and her collective of local and national artists two months to create the brightly coloured animation, which was directed by American-based Aya Tanimura.

Ms Kettu, who also lives in Skipton, learned her trade working for Wallace and Gromit animation studio, Aardman Animations, and has created animation films for two decades. Her work includes commercials for brands like Dyson and H&M and music videos for bands such as Radiohead and Run The Jewels.

The video tells the story of a cherry tree growing against the odds of life's challenges, a metaphor for resilience and a reflection on Perry's interesting career. 

Fans will be able to find a number of references to new songs and stages of Perry's personal life.

The puppets were inspired by the simplicity of Japanese Kokeshi dolls and were co-designed by Tanimura and Kettu and hand-made by model maker Matt J Yates.

Ms Kettu said: “The lockdown was an eerie time and a logistical challenge. We had to work in small isolated household groups. For some of the model makers the materials and concept drawings were posted to so they could work from home.

"We were connected via multiple daily video calls, texts and emails. The project kept a handful of talented creatives in work during this difficult time. But most of all it kept our spirits up, a true story of resilience.”