Silly-walking to global success, CQU tutor inspires next-gen animators

By Mary Bolling

If you sneaked a peek into Claire Renton’s classroom at CQUniversity Brisbane, you might think the fun-loving tutor was giving a lesson in silly walks. 

But the Foundations of Animation unit teacher brings serious credentials to her passing on her craft, including animation direction on Brisbane-born, global hit cartoon Bluey. 

She’s determined to make her teaching as colourful as her creative career – and Bachelor of Digital Media students are reaping the benefits. 

“I’m so used to being in an animation studio and making a goose of myself by acting out ideas - doing a ministry of silly walks, or something else ridiculous to get an idea across,” Ms Renton laughed.

“But that’s my favourite thing about teaching - over the course of the semester, students loosen up, will stand up and act out something they’re trying to animate, or film themselves going through motions to see how a movement works.”

Working with Brisbane’s Ludo Studio since 2017, Ms Renton was lead animator for the first season of Bluey, and her highlights include being the animation director for the Sleepytime episode.  

That episode went on to win a Prix Jeunesse International Award, prestigious recognition for children’s television.  

“Being animation director on Sleepytime was so big and so special – I remember we finished mixing the sound, and 10 of our team went to watch the final cut for sign-off in a cinema room.

“We all sat there in cinema chairs, watching the final version – and we were all in tears, it was so beautiful!” 

Inspired by classic Disney films like The Jungle Book and The Lion King, Ms Renton has worked in animation since she was 16, when work experience led to an ongoing role in a Brisbane animation studio. 

Teaching at CQU since Term 1 this year, Ms Renton encourages her students to take every opportunity to work in studios too. 

“I first got involved in teaching through training up a new crop of animators on Bluey, then worked with Griffith training interns, and now at CQU – and for me so much of animation is really about learning from your peers,” she said. 

“To be in a studio, and constantly looking over the shoulders of other animators, that helped me accumulate so much knowledge.

“I’m already seeing it happening in the classroom, and it’s exciting to know students will have so many opportunities, thanks to growing demand for animated content! 

“In Australia and around the world, there are a lot more studios popping up – and animation skills cut across visual effects, live action, video games and traditional cartoon animation.”

Digital Media lecturer Jim Picton said Ms Renton’s enthusiasm and experience were a boon for students.

CQUniversity’s versatile Digital Media, Communications and Arts courses are offered at campuses in Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton and online. 

With a huge range of specialisations including animation to choose from, students can tailor their qualification to suit their talents and goals. 

CQUniversity is proud to be ranked in the top five universities in Australia for communications students, in the 2023 Good Universities Guide. 

Explore CQU’s Digital Media opportunities here.