Run Wrake
Born
John Wrake

(1965-11-24)24 November 1965
Yemen
Died21 October 2012(2012-10-21) (aged 46)
Ashford, Kent
Occupation(s)Animator, film director
Years active1990–2012
SpouseLisa Wrake
Children2

John "Run" Wrake (24 November 1965[1] – 21 October 2012) was an English animator, film director, graphic designer, and music video director. He was best known for his 2005 short film, Rabbit.

Early life and education

Wrake was born in Yemen on 24 November 1965. His father was a chaplain assigned to the British army there. He grew up in Sussex.[1] He studied graphic design at the Chelsea College of Arts, later graduating with an M.A. in animation from the Royal College of Art in London.[1][2] His 1990 animated student film from his days at the Royal College, Anyway, aired on MTV's Liquid Television in 1994.[2]

Career

After graduating, Wrake worked freelance, illustrating and designing album covers and tour visuals for artists such as U2 and Howie B, in addition to directing commercials for companies such as Coca-Cola throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.[1][3] He also directed music videos, many of which were for Howie B. He later began working with Animate Projects, which commissioned him to direct animated short films.[1] In 2005, he released his animated short film entitled Rabbit, his most notable work. Rabbit tells a morality tale about the dangers of greed through a Dick and Jane art style.[2] Wrake's main inspiration for the film was an envelope he found in a thrift shop containing children's educational stickers, illustrated by Geoffrey Higham, from the 1950s.[4] The film received numerous awards and nominations, including a BAFTA nomination for Best Short Animation Film at the 2006 BAFTA Awards.[1][4][5]

Death

In November 2011, Wrake was diagnosed with lung cancer. This inspired him to direct the short film, Down with the Dawn, with music by Howie B.[1][6] On 21 October 2012, aged 46, Wrake succumbed to the illness.[1][2]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1990 Anyway Director, writer Short film
1994 Jukebox Director Short film
1996 Music for Babies Director Short film to accompany Howie B's album of the same name
1998 M2 – Ping Batter Pong Director Short film
2001 What Is That Director Short film
2002 Lessons in Smoking Director Short film
2002 NME Gallery Director Short film
2005 Rabbit Director, producer, writer Short film
Nominated–BAFTA Award for Best Short Animation Film[7]
2008 The Control Master Director, writer Short film
2009 Just a Minute Director Short film
2011 Here We Go Loopy Lou Director Short film
2011 Public Meat Director Short film to accompany Public Image Ltd's song "Public Image"
2012 Down with the Dawn Director, producer Short film to accompany Howie B's album of the same name
2012 Meat Street Director Unfinished pilot
Music videos
Year Video Artist Role
1991 "Cadillac" Gang of Four Director
1993 "TV Tan" The Wildhearts Director
1996 "Butt Meat" Howie B Director
1996 "We Have Explosive" The Future Sound of London Director, photography
1997 "Angels Go Bald:Too" Howie B Director
1997 "Switch" Howie B Director
1998 "Maniac Melody" Howie B Director
1998 "Take Your Partner by the Hand" Howie B Director
1999 "I Can Sing but I Don't Want To" Howie B Director
1999 "She Called Again" Howie B Director
2000 "Papua New Guinea" The Future Sound of London Director
2001 "The Beamer" Spacer Director
2001 "We Belong in This World Together" Stereo MCs Director
2002 "Mr. Bobby" Manu Chao Director
2004 "Try Again Today" The Charlatans Director, producer
2005 "Flyover" Asian Dub Foundation Director

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Thomas, Gary (31 March 2014). "Run Wrake, 1965-2012". British Film Institute. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Amidi, Amid (23 October 2012). "Run Wrake (1965-2012)". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "animate! › Films › Rabbit by Run Wrake › direction & collaboration". Animateonline.org. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Rabbit". Runwake.com. 4 March 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "Run Wrake". Animate Projects. 30 March 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  6. ↑ Pryor, John-Paul (3 April 2014). "Howie B – Down With The Dawn". Dazed. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  7. ↑ "2006 Film Short Animation Film". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
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