After studying in Sheffield, I went down to London to do my post-graduate degree at the National Film and Television School, embarking on the movie that would eventually become 'A Grand Day Out.'

The best films come about through experimentation.

Gromit was the name of a cat. When I started modeling the cat I just didn’t feel it was quite right, so I made it into a dog because he could have a bigger nose and bigger, longer legs.

I always considered Ray Harryhausen’s work so fine that it was way out of my league: in terms of realism and naturalism, in terms of animal movement.

With some CGI, I think the brain slightly perceives that things aren’t real. There’s no gravity, the light’s not quite real, the shadows aren’t quite real.

I have to admit to not being the greatest technician, but stop motion animation gives me licence to create machines that wouldn’t otherwise be possible – inventions that seem real and actually work.

I’m always there at home thinking of Wallace and Gromit ideas.

But I think people see ‘Wallace and Gromit’ as something akin to an elderly couple. These two know each other so well. Nothing can split them apart.

The clay figures don't keep well. They do keep for a year or two, and then the clay cracks up and falls off the skeleton. I guess they could demand a facelift.

I think we all have a Wallace and Gromit inside us. Wallace is the part that has wild plans. Gromit is the sensible side, reining you in.