Hai, I’m Andy. I’m a self taught artist and animator that loves character design, storytelling and worldbuilding.
This project originally started with the concept of being a mockumentary about creatures that looked like machines, it eventually evolved into “what if humans found this world”? Thus, creating MACHIMALIUM. Witness just one of the many horrors a trio of scientists experience when their company, GIGA, try to profit off of the unknown.
Unnamed Scientist A: Are we all here? Great! Let’s get to the case. Last month, a small entrance was reported in the [REDACTED] of [REDACTED], which a mining team had accidentally uncovered. Despite the location’s geography, they reported feeling a strong breeze come through, and a few of the miners went to investigate. When they didn’t re-emerge, it was swiftly reported to the local police.
Unnamed Scientist B: GIGA was pinged due to the anomalous geographical description, so an investigation began before a proper case was filed. Here our scouts discovered something, a whole different world that shouldn’t have been possible. The flora didn’t match that of [REDACTED]. but the fauna was even more remarkable.
Unnamed Scientist B: Seemingly hundreds of new species just sitting there, it’s phenomenal! We haven’t had a discovery like this since Case #342! Ah- [Ahem]. Well, moving on… Containment measures were established urgently, especially due to the nature of this discovery and the threat of this fauna breaching the area.
Unnamed Scientist A: Now, this team has been established to continue the research into this case. I’ll discuss your specific roles and responsibilities briefly, but just to make it clear… You cannot discuss this with anyone outside the case. So can we all keep a secret?
Dr Jess Carvel: Still taking notes?
Dr Ian Dugdale: Mhm, they got me working with one of the managers.
Dr Jess Carvel: How come?
Dr Ian Dugdale: He’s a biologist… Veterinarian… Leading research into the- Planumimus.
Dr Jess Carvel: That thing…? Freaks me out… How are you all so calm about- this discovery? New animals n’ all.
Dr Ian Dugdale: It’s my job, I gotta be.
Dr Jess Carvel: Well… Wanna fill me in?
Dr Ian Dugdale: We’ve mostly studied how it hunts and interacts with its kind, haven’t had much physical analysis. That’s down to Dr. Wilson, the guy I’m working with. I think he’s down in the labs with one of these things’ babies.
Dr Ian Dugdale: And I don’t really… Like the idea of it.
Dr Lee Wilson: Are you kidding? You want to scoop that things offspring up and experiment on it?
Unnamed Scientist B: Look, it’s not down to me… The higher ups think it’d be a good idea to… train them? Domesticate them perhaps! Imagine this, a pet plane tha-
Dr Lee Wilson: Pet? Have you lost your mind?! That thing is a predator, a mother as well! You’ve seen how animals that we know of behave when their young is threatened, and you think this- this horse sized predator is going to be different?
Unnamed Scientist B: Please calm down, I’m not going to argue with our boss… Besides, a lot of us here have full faith they’re making the right decision.
Dr Lee Wilson: Right decision?!
Unnamed Scientist B: Dr. Wilson if you don’t settle now we can remove you from this case just as easily as we assigned it to you.
Dr Lee Wilson: … Fine.
Dr Ian Dugdale: From what I heard he’s reluctantly agreeing to the demands…
Dr Ian Dugdale: … I agree with him. I think what the higher ups are doing is insane, it’s an animal. A wild animal. Unpredictable and still alien to us.
Dr Jess Carvel: And then… The report you sent me. Is it really true that a- version of my little robot was- found? And…
Dr Ian Dugdale: … And it was alive. Dr. Wilson had to dissect it, sorry…
Dr Ian Dugdale: I mean- Who knows what could happen. Another world that seems to mimic machines from our world. To take one out of it and bring it here. To study on the baby first instead of a matured adult! It’s crazy they’re making us do this, I know Dr. Wilson probably thinks the same… What if-
Dr Lee Wilson: You guys fine? Uninjured?
Dr Jess Carvel: Mhm-
Dr Ian Dugdale: What do we do?
Dr Lee Wilson: We- We have to kill it, somehow.
Dr Ian Dugdale: How? That thing will eat us alive if we so open that door!
Dr Lee Wilson: This is our- tool room. We can defend ourselves.
Dr Jess Carvel: … We’d have to bait it- But-
Dr Lee Wilson: I’ll be the bait, it’s angry at me. Dugdale, I want you to get the bolt gun from that cupboard and kill it. and- you-
Dr Jess Carvel: Dr. Carvel- I’ll open the door!
Dr Lee Wilson: Perfect- Now-
Dr Ian Dugdale: I can’t use a bolt gun, I- I can’t kill it!
Dr Lee Wilson: Just aim for the head and pull the trigger!
Dr Ian Dugdale: I can’t-
Dr Lee Wilson: You will. As your manager, it’s an order! … Please.
Dr Ian Dugdale: … Okay.
Dr Ian Dugdale: It’s been a few months since that breach. More meetings, some company court cases and eventually the three of us resigned. We had GIGA ensure our safety, that they wouldn’t keep tabs on us. Lee and I have been tied at the hip. No one else will understand what we’ve been through, yknow? And… It’s good. But- Sometimes I can’t help but shake that feeling… That’ we’re being watched.
Our BA Animation programme is one of the UK’s most forward-looking, industry-focused animation programmes. It combines a rich, practice-orientated mix of 2D, 3D and experimental animation with an emphasis on storytelling, character design, and immersive animation. Through a strong studio culture, our students develop and share skills across artistic direction, digital sculpting, industry-standard renderings, game design, visual effects, and innovative storytelling. The curriculum is designed to convey best practice in animation and a solid foundation for a career in the Creative Industries, with vocational skills development and student-led learning taking centre stage.
See further details on our prospectus page.
