THE lead animator with Aardman will give a special glimpse into the making of hit film Early Man when he visits Bradford next week.

Andy Symanowski will be at the National Science and Media Museum on Monday, giving talks in the Wonderlab Studio, demonstrating props from the film and presenting behind-the-scenes footage showing Aardman animators bringing the world of Early Man to life. He will also introduce screenings of the film.

Visitors will be invited to take part in a mass-animation, creating a massive Early Man flipbook.

Mr Symanowski is particularly known for his character animation work and is responsible for some of the funniest scenes in Early Man. He has been with Aardman since 1997, joining the Chicken Run animation team in 1998, and has been a lead animator on all Aardman’s feature films, including Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-rabbit, The Pirates! and Shaun the Sheep The Movie.

His visit to the museum is part of a series of half-term activities themed around Early Man, which include displays of original movie props, sets and artwork, and workshops offering tips for budding animators.

The National Science and Media Museum has partnered with Aardman and StudioCanal for the programme of events.

Elaine Richmond from the museum’s learning team said: “We’ll be going behind-the-scenes of the film throughout the week with lots of events and activities, as well as screenings in Pictureville cinema. What better way to kick-off the week than welcome one of the lead animators to give his personal insights into making the movie?”

Early Man, the latest film by Oscar-winning director Nick Park and Aardman, is set at the dawn of time when prehistoric creatures roamed the earth. To save their home, courageous caveman hero Dug (Eddie Redmayne) and his best friend Hognob unite his tribe against a mighty enemy Lord Nooth (Tom Hiddleston) and his Bronze Age City.

The museum will be screening Early Man throughout the half-term holiday, alongside a programme of events - from mass-participation animations featuring an entire cinema audience to clay modelling and getting close-up to displays of original sets and artwork from the film.

Visitors will also have chance to take part in mass-participation animation activities, including a giant Early Man flipbook, learn about the technology behind animation in the museum’s Wonderlab Studio, design a prehistoric catapult to help hero Dug escape from Lord Nooth, and create favourite characters out of clay.

John Darnbrough, Learning Programmes Developer at the museum said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Aardman again and we know how much our visitors love characters and stories they create. Early Man looks like it will be another classic, we can’t wait to show audiences how some of the magic is created as part of our fun-filled family half term.”

* For tickets for Early Man screenings call 0871 902 5756 or visit picturehouses.com/bradford. For more about half-term events call 0844 856 3797.