Plume Films

17/11/2025

Here is a quick, fun loop we put together, showcasing one of the most technically rewarding moments of The Cowgirl Project, the cloud explosion.

This clip, taken directly from the virtual world, is a perfect demonstration of our hybrid workflow. You can clearly see our handmade and scanned props, the cardboard houses and street furniture, sitting seamlessly in the Unreal Engine environment.

The Evil Cloud itself was a challenge solved collectively: its scanned papier, mâché surface was lit internally by the team at Racquet Studios to create that incandescent glow. We then mapped a traditional 2D animated face onto its contours. The final touch, the dramatic rain and lightning, was traditional 2D animation, merging all three worlds beautifully.

Watch the full film now on the Plume Films website! https://www.plumefilms.com/cowgirl

12/11/2025

THE COWGIRL IS LIVE! After months of meticulous craft and pioneering technical collaboration, we are overjoyed to share our short film with the world.

The Cowgirl is a powerful, two minute fable about a young heroine confronting her fears, set in a stunning, fully realised world built from paper and cardboard. This project with Racquet Studios proves that authentic, handmade art can thrive on the cutting, edge of Virtual Production.

Watch the full film now and see where craft rides into the Unreal Engine: https://www.plumefilms.com/cowgirl

You can also follow the cloud over to our blog on the website to read more about the full technical workflow.

The Cowgirl Project Credits:

Production: Virtual Production: Director: DoP: Starring: Lyla Calf

Crew: Head of Production: Head of Technical: Art Director: AD: Gaffer: Spark: .roth.robert Props Assistant: Dave Hipperson Camera Operator: 1st AC: 2nd AC: Sound Designer: .tangent Floor Manager: .6 Trainee Spark:

Equipment & Software: Camera: (ALEXA Mini LF) Lenses: Camera & Lens Kit: .tv Lighting Kit: Camera Tracking: IBL: / Stabilisation: LED Volume: VP Engine: Photogrammetry: IBL Software:

11/11/2025

New Clip Alert! We're delighted to share another look at The Cowgirl Project before the full release this week. This film is a powerful, visually unique fable packed into just two minutes, proving the impact you can achieve when craft meets cutting, edge tech.

Watch this clip to see the seamless blend of handmade cardboard art direction and high, spec Virtual Production by our partners at Racquet Studios. The story is concise, the visuals are immense.

Stay tuned for the final release announcement!

The Cowgirl Project Credits:

Production: Virtual Production: Director: DoP: Starring: Lyla Calf

Crew: Head of Production: Head of Technical: Art Director: AD: Gaffer: Spark: .roth.robert Props Assistant: Dave Hipperson Camera Operator: 1st AC: 2nd AC: Sound Designer: .tangent Floor Manager: .6 Trainee Spark:

Equipment & Software: Camera: (ALEXA Mini LF) Lenses: Camera & Lens Kit: .tv Lighting Kit: Camera Tracking: IBL: / Stabilisation: LED Volume: VP Engine: Photogrammetry: IBL Software:

10/11/2025

The day is nearly here! 'The Cowgirl' has been a true passion project, a journey of intricate craft and groundbreaking technical collaboration with Racquet Studios. We've taken our time to ensure every handmade detail and every virtual environment is just right, navigating other commitments along the way.

We are absolutely delighted to announce that 'The Cowgirl' is now complete and we're aiming for release this week! Get ready to discover a two, minute live, action/animation hybrid where tactile art direction meets cutting, edge technology to tell a powerful story of courage.

Stay tuned for the official release!

The Cowgirl Project Credits:

Production: Virtual Production: Director: DoP: Starring: Lyla Calf

Crew: Head of Production: Head of Technical: Art Director: AD: Gaffer: Spark: .roth.robert Props Assistant: Dave Hipperson Camera Operator: 1st AC: 2nd AC: Sound Designer: .tangent Floor Manager: .6 Trainee Spark:

Equipment & Software: Camera: (ALEXA Mini LF) Lenses: Camera & Lens Kit: .tv Lighting Kit: Camera Tracking: IBL: / Stabilisation: LED Volume: VP Engine: Photogrammetry: IBL Software:

07/10/2025

Even when immersed in big projects, our team loves a moment of creative play! We've been experimenting with some black-and-white, grainy aesthetics for the documentary we're animating with Byron Vincent, and this little looped animation came out of it – a silhouette diving, a figure floating. It’s a playful aside, a quick splash of visual poetry not destined for the main film, but it captures some of the joy we find in pure animation. Enjoy the loop, and remember to find time for a creative break!

19/09/2025

We believe that passion projects are the lifeblood of creativity, but bringing them to life requires a clear plan. We have learned that the "boring" details of a funding application are actually the key to a project's success.

By taking our time and chipping away at the budget and research, we have found that new ideas and opportunities present themselves.
Read the full article here → https://www.plumefilms.com/plumeblog/my-perspective-on-writing-funding-applications

Writing funding applications for creative projects can feel like a chore, but what if it could fuel your creative growth? Discover how we turned this methodical process into a rewarding, collaborative journey that led to new business opportunities and an invigorating new approach to passion projects

15/09/2025

11/09/2025

Dive into our latest blog post, "The Cowgirl Project: Handmade Charm Meets Virtual Production Wizardry," and discover how we blended traditional craft with cutting edge technology.

When we started collaborating with Racquet Studios on our short film, The Cowgirl Project, we wanted to challenge the high tech, hyper real aesthetic of virtual production. Instead, we used cardboard models and oil pastels to create a world inspired by the unique work of artist Hundertwasser, a style we believe our clients and viewers trust.

This project proves that virtual production is a powerful, flexible tool, perfect for bringing deeply personal, handcrafted stories to life in new ways.

Read about our creative process and the incredible team who made it happen here: https://www.plumefilms.com/plumeblog/the-cowgirl-project-handmade-charm-meets-virtual-production-wizardry

Discover how Plume Films and Racquet Studios pushed creative boundaries in The Cowgirl Project, combining handmade animation, model-making, and Unreal Engine virtual production for a short film adventure. Learn about our process, tools, and the empowering story of resilience.

28/08/2025

The creative mind never really switches off , it just changes pace. For me, lino printing is a way to step away from screens, slow down, and reconnect with making. Some nights it’s about sketching freely, other nights the quiet rhythm of carving, and sometimes it’s the glorious mess of inking.

That philosophy of process and imperfection runs through our work at Plume Films too. Whether it’s animation or print, it’s all about craft, presence, and stories that linger.


Read the full article here →

At Plume Films, animation is shaped by the same “slow art” ethos as lino printing, valuing process, imperfection, and present-moment storytelling.

15/08/2025

We are proud to have contributed animation to JMW Turner: On the Wing, now showing at Tate Britain as part of Tate’s Turner displays. The film, which explores Turner's love of travel and the landscapes that inspired him, also recently opened in Taipei, and runs daily on a loop at the Clore Galleries until 31 May 2026. Big thanks to everybody at the Tate for inviting us into this remarkable collaboration. 🖱 Read the full article here

Plume Films provided animation for JMW Turner: On the Wing, now showing at Tate Britain as part of Tate’s Turner displays through May 2026. Discover how our animation brings Turner’s love of travel and the landscapes that inspired him to life.

08/08/2025

Screen fatigue got you stuck? 😵‍💫 At Plume Films, we swear by the power of a good walk! Stepping into nature isn't just for fresh air it's our secret weapon for creative breakthroughs and problem-solving. Our brains keep working even when we're not.

Read our latest blog post to discover why a stroll (even in the rain!) is key to unlocking fresh ideas and how it helps our team create bespoke animation and film.



Read the full story and get inspired here:

Feeling creatively stuck? Plume Films shares their secret: the profound impact of walking in nature on creative flow and problem-solving. Learn how stepping away from the screen, whether in the stunning South Downs or an urban park, can refresh your mind and unlock innovative solutions. This casual