This short film for the V&A was designed to promote the extensive collection of art, fashion and furniture from their ‘Europe, 1600-1815′ Galleries. We were approached by Cultureshock Media to create a series of animated inserts to illustrate the stories of King Louis XIV, Marie Antoinette and Catherine the Great of Russia. Settling for a hand-drawn style using pencil sketches with subtle wash highlights on a textured paper background, we then comped it all in After Effects with camera moves and a steady line reveal. The final film, voiced by the legend that is Imelda Staunton, was broadcast on the V&A online channel and as part of British Airways’ in-flight entertainment. Viewers were all deeply moved, although that may have been Altitude Adjusted Lachrymosity Syndrome…