Fergal Brennan

His works are not about stories, but about the process of making itself. Fergal's work mixes film, animation, sound and digital media. He has made films, music videos and video art — using materials such as clay, interview, dance, photography, photocopies, interactive video, and sound.

He started his career working as an animator for advertising in London, England. In 2008, Fergal came back to Ireland to make his own work, where he made a wide range of music videos, documentaries and animation.

His films have been shown at many film festivals, but Fergal prefers drawing and spending time with his cat.

How did you get started as an animator?

Around 1988, my dad brought home the book by Tony White, ‘Animators Workbook’, which I found fascinating. The book also had a clever flipbook animation on the top corner of each page.

In school, I used to imitate these flipbooks in my copybooks (and consequently faced the wrath of teachers). Around the same time, my uncle got a Commodore Amiga computer with the early animation software Deluxe Paint III. I was hooked from then on.

When did you know that art was going to be your job?

I just took it for granted as far back as I can remember that I would always be doing something to do with drawing. I was extremely lucky in that I had parents who encouraged my artistic interests!

What piece of work are you most proud of / happy with, and why?

I am most proud of my own students’ achievements, especially when their abilities surpass what I taught them.

What was the inspiration behind it?

My inspiration for making and teaching comes from having great teachers myself - which was essential when I was a misguided teenager. It only really takes one inspiring teacher that believes in you to help you punch your way out of the paper bag of delusions.

How long was the process for “I Lose My Completely” Video?

Around four months. One month experimenting with dead ends (an essential part of the artistic process), one month doing research, and maybe two months doing the actual animation. When I finished it, a friend of mine who is a software developer said they could have used A.I. to achieve the same end result in just a few days, but that’s what I would consider a real waste of time.

What’s the one thing you’d like people to take away from watching the video?

If it’s any good, everybody will take something different away from it. Only propaganda and advertising has one clear message.

What are your top tips for aspiring animators / artists / creators?


I could write an entire book to answer this question! Here’s some things I’ve learned:

• Put your phone away. If you can do absolutely nothing without having to be distracted for ten minutes, you can probably do anything. NO, REALLY!

• Whatever you do, knowing how to read, write, do research and draw is always an advantage. Nearly everything worth doing involves these skills. Nearly everyone can afford a pen and a piece of paper – they are the beginning of a film script, a graphic novel, a building outline or a plan for a better society.

• Figure out how and where you work best, and then barricade yourself from any distractions.


• Be kind to yourself and your art first. But doing kindness to others is the biggest reward you can get.

• Here’s the secret to making something brilliant: everybody who ever did anything worthwhile started out with failed experiments. They just persevered... A lot of people give up after the first failure, but it’s a crucial part of the process).


• Finish it, no matter what. Whether it’s good or bad is irrelevant, just finish it.

• Don’t change your mind halfway through making. Persevere with your original intent. 


• Learn from your mistakes, then take that experience to the next thing.


• Don’t ask, “is this perfect?” Ask instead “Will this do for now?”.


• Ask others for help and advice as much as possible. I would try and get work experience in a professional studio, artist’s studio, or workshop as early in your career as possible. 


• Always say thank you, even if the experience wasn’t the greatest!

Tell us about the work you make / your practice / describe what you do?

I mostly do animation using drawing and stop-motion. I also teach.

Do you think people are 'born' artists, or is it something they have to discover?

Being an artist is simply part of being a human being - so, in that sense we are all born artists. It’s our job to discover what that art is - it may be one that you invent yourself!

Being an artist is a combination of luck - from discovering a discipline that you enjoy, putting in hard work, and the luxury to develop it further, alongside being paid for your time.

What is art?

There are many ideas on this! The idea of art has changed across centuries and cultures. So it’s a tall order to summarise! Every definition we give has a set of assumptions built into it, so we need to be careful.

For example,
“Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together.” I mostly like this definition by John Ruskin, but it’s assuming that it’s only a pursuit for men. By examining the established assumptions, we can hopefully improve upon them.

The theme of this year's TIA! competition is "This Is Inspiration". What does 'inspiration' mean to you?

I don’t really attach much importance to inspiration. Putting time into something is what gets the work made, not inspiration. Just KEEP SHOWING UP!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Committing time to work on something.

What other artists inspire you?

I am inspired by music that is made for its own sake. With that in mind, I would have to say mostly birds.

Any top tips for people who might find they are blocked - when inspiration just won't come to them?

Go for a walk. Or maybe just go and take a look in the corner of your room. It’s boring isn’t it? It’s so important to be bored so that we can re- think things.

It’s important to bear in mind you’re not supposed to be “producing” art all the time. Everyone who works critically (artists, scientists, and many others), need time away from what they are doing.

A lot of the time ideas come knocking when you weren’t working.

What advice would you give anyone who wants to be professional artist, or pursue a career in the arts?

For nearly every creative industry you need a portfolio and a CV (probably online at this stage). If you don’t know how to make them, ask someone who does!

Some people have the idea that art is not a 'real' job - what would you say to that?

I would agree with them, but that’s why it’s a worthwhile activity. 
There are many “real jobs” that serve no purpose, except to make money to survive, and to make money for someone else. Every human has the right to more than mere survival for the benefit of others.

What would you say is the function of art / the role of artists?

It has no one set role, it’s different in different societies. I would be careful not to assume it is a universal. For me, when it is at its best, it is a radical social catalyst.

Any advice for young artists who might think their work is "no good"?

If you are thinking about good and bad, then you are missing the point. Television, social media and school exams consider things in measures, likes, or percentages.


If you go dancing at a party, you shouldn’t be asking yourself “am I good at dancing?” you’re supposed to be having fun...by definition that means letting go of our inhibitions and the usual social conventions of comportment.

If you think about it, we mostly admire artists because they have broken free of social constraints, not because they are asking themselves “am I good?”

How do you challenge yourself creativity?

What’s the thing that you are most afraid of failing at? That’s probably what you need to do.