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Filmmaker Interview with Alex Devlin
Filmmaker Interview by Chris Olson
Thanks for speaking with UK Film Review. For those who don't know you, please can you let our readers know a bit more about you and your filmmaking background?
My name is Alex Devlin, I'm 25 years old, and I'm the founder and CEO of Devine Animation Studios, a small independent animation studio based in Oban, Scotland.
I founded the studio in January 2023, at the age of just 22, with the ambition of bringing back the charm of traditional 2D animation and the classic cartoon humour that so many of us grew up loving.
Since then, the studio has grown to a team of 19 talented individuals, consisting of both volunteers and paid staff, all working towards bringing our creative visions to life. We're currently in production on our very first animated short film, Waldo VS The Polar King, which we're aiming to release in late 2027.
My long-term ambition is to establish Devine Animation Studios as a recognised name in independent animation, creating original stories, memorable characters, and entertaining films that audiences of all ages can enjoy.
We are big fans of animation! How would you describe Waldo VS The Polar King to a new audience?
Waldo VS The Polar King is an upcoming traditionally animated comedy-adventure featuring our studio's mascot, Waldo, a flying mouse, alongside his best friend and trusty sidekick, Nick Nash, a bandicoot.
The story follows Waldo as he's unexpectedly sucked into his television and transported into the world of a 1950s TV series. What initially seems like an extraordinary adventure quickly takes a dangerous turn when Waldo encounters Willow, a weasel who finds herself threatened by the villainous Polar King, a powerful ruler capable of wielding lightning. Trapped in this strange television world, Waldo must find a way to save Willow, survive the Polar King's wrath and, ultimately, make it back home.
The short is our love letter to classic cartoons, combining traditional 2D animation, colourful characters, slapstick humour and an imaginative adventure that we hope audiences of all ages will enjoy.
Why did you want to make this film?
I've always been a sucker for old-school cartoons, particularly the classic Looney Tunes shorts and the works of legendary animators such as Tex Avery and Ub Iwerks, as well as characters like Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Felix the Cat. There's something incredibly special about those early cartoons. They were imaginative, unpredictable, wonderfully chaotic, and, most importantly, they weren't afraid to be completely ridiculous.
That's something I feel we don't see nearly enough of in mainstream animation today. I wanted to make Waldo VS The Polar King because I genuinely believe there's still an audience for that kind of traditional cartoon humour.
I miss the exaggerated expressions, the slapstick comedy, the larger-than-life personalities and the sheer zaniness that made those classic shorts so memorable. I also feel that the animation industry has become increasingly dominated by major corporations, with acquisitions, familiar franchises and commercial expectations sometimes making it harder for smaller, independent voices to be heard.
That's one of the reasons I founded Devine Animation Studios. I want to help create a space where originality, artistic freedom and creativity are encouraged rather than restricted. At Devine, we've already mapped out five waves of potential projects, including original films, television series and animated shorts, each with their own characters, stories and worlds.
I don't want our studio to become known for producing the same kind of animation over and over again. I want us to experiment, take creative risks and give audiences something different. Ultimately, Waldo VS The Polar King is our way of celebrating the cartoons that inspired us while introducing that style of humour and storytelling to a new generation.
We're not trying to replace modern animation. We simply want to bring back something we feel has been missing from it.
Sounds great! Were there any challenges making the film? If so, what were they and how did you overcome them?
Well, believe it or not, one of our biggest challenges was actually finding animators! (Laughs).
When I founded Devine Animation Studios in 2023, I quickly discovered just how difficult it can be to produce an animated film independently, particularly when you're working with a limited budget. The studio has been entirely self-funded by me, which naturally comes with its own challenges, especially when you're trying to assemble a talented team and produce something you're genuinely proud of.
Another challenge was deciding what our first production would actually be.
Over the years, we explored several different projects and ideas, but for various reasons, we kept changing direction. Eventually, we settled on Waldo VS The Polar King, which I believe was the right decision for our first short film. Fortunately, after a lot of searching and perseverance, we managed to assemble a small team of animators who will help bring Waldo and his world to life.
We've now completed the script, concept artwork, storyboards and voice recordings, and we're preparing to begin the animation process. It's incredibly exciting to finally see everything coming together after years of planning and development. As for overcoming challenges, I've always believed that communication is one of the most important aspects of running a successful studio.
Whenever we encounter a problem, I try to be open with my team about it. Rather than making every decision behind closed doors, I prefer to arrange meetings where everyone has an opportunity to share their thoughts, suggest solutions and contribute their ideas.
I think one of the biggest mistakes a company can make is failing to listen, whether that's to its employees or its audience. It's something I feel larger corporations can sometimes struggle with, and it's something I'm determined to avoid at Devine Animation Studios. I don't want our studio to feel like a workplace where everyone simply follows orders.
I want us to feel like one big family, where every individual knows their voice matters and their creativity is valued.
Ultimately, I believe that when you surround yourself with passionate, talented people and genuinely listen to them, even the biggest challenges become much easier to overcome.
That sounds like a great ethos. What stage is the film currently in? And how can people get to see it?
Waldo VS The Polar King is currently transitioning from pre-production into the animation stage, which is incredibly exciting for us! We've completed the script, character designs, storyboards and voice recordings, and we're now preparing to bring everything to life through animation.
It's been a long journey getting to this point, so we're really looking forward to seeing our characters finally moving on screen. We're currently aiming for a release around November 2027, although, as an independent animation studio, we understand that production schedules can sometimes change.
Our priority is to make sure the finished film meets our creative vision, rather than rushing it to meet a particular deadline.
As for where people can watch it, we're planning to make the short available to watch for free on YouTube, and we're also hoping to release it through Amazon Prime Video, subject to distribution availability.
At the moment, we don't have any plans to enter the film into festivals, although that's certainly something we could consider in the future. Ultimately, we want Waldo VS The Polar King to be accessible to as many people as possible, and we can't wait to share it with audiences!
Why do you make movies?
Well, for me, that's like asking why I breathe! (Laughs). I've always had an incredibly active imagination. Every day, I find myself coming up with new stories, characters and worlds, and thankfully, it's something that has always come quite naturally to me.
I genuinely couldn't imagine my life without storytelling. I'm also a massive film enthusiast. I've currently rated over 1,400 films on Letterboxd, ranging from the earliest days of cinema to modern releases.
I've always been fascinated by the power of film and how a story can make someone laugh, cry, think, or even change the way they look at the world. Ever since I was 12 years old, I've dreamed of running my own animation studio, creating animated films and bringing my own stories and characters to life.
It's something I've wanted for as long as I can remember, and founding Devine Animation Studios was my first real step towards making that childhood dream a reality. One of my biggest ambitions is to create entertainment that doesn't talk down to children but instead treats them as equals.
I think children are often underestimated when it comes to their intelligence and emotional understanding. Too many productions aimed at younger audiences rely on the same predictable jokes, but children are capable of appreciating so much more than that. I want our films to entertain audiences while also exploring meaningful subjects. Whether that's grief, loneliness, feeling different, anxiety, abandonment or simply finding your place in the world, I believe animation is an incredibly powerful medium for telling those stories.
For example, I'd love to tell stories about learning to live with the loss of someone you love. Not forgetting that person, but understanding that moving forward doesn't mean leaving their memory behind. I think those are important messages for children and adults alike.
Another thing that inspired me to pursue filmmaking was a simple saying: "If you can't find what you're looking for, why not make it yourself?" I've always loved original storytelling, and one of my frustrations with the modern film industry is its increasing reliance on sequels, remakes, reboots, and spin-offs. It sometimes feels as though every successful original film immediately becomes the beginning of another franchise.
Now, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against sequels or remakes when there's a genuinely worthwhile story to tell. Some of my favourite films have sequels! But I don't believe a film should receive a sequel simply because the original was financially successful.
At Devine Animation Studios, our priority is creating original stories, characters and worlds. We're not completely opposed to revisiting an existing story, but we'd only want to do so if we believed there was something meaningful left to explore.
I've always admired Walt Disney and the pioneering spirit of the early animation industry. Those filmmakers weren't afraid to experiment, take risks or attempt something audiences had never seen before. That's the kind of creative ambition I want to encourage at Devine.
Ultimately, I make films because I love telling stories. I love the idea that something which began as a simple thought in my imagination could one day make somebody laugh, bring them comfort during a difficult time or stay with them for the rest of their life. And if even one of our films manages to do that for somebody, then I'll consider that a success.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the film career you have pursued?
Well, I think the biggest lesson I've learned, and one I'm still trying to grasp myself, is patience! Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm not always the most patient person when it comes to filmmaking. I get incredibly excited about my ideas, and when I have a story in my head, I want to see it brought to life as quickly as possible. But filmmaking doesn't work like that, especially animation.
When I first started out, I'd hold auditions for writers, voice actors, animators, and artists, without fully appreciating just how much each stage of production depended on the one before it. For example, a writer might need to complete four drafts of a screenplay before it's ready. Then the artists need time to develop the characters and produce the concept artwork and storyboards.
Voice actors need to understand their characters, and animators need the necessary artwork, dialogue, and other production materials before they can properly begin their work. It's a bit like building a snowman, really. You start with all these separate pieces, and individually they might not look like much, but once you bring everything together, you've created something special.
That's one of the biggest things I've learned about filmmaking. You can't rush creativity, and you certainly can't expect everyone to work at the same pace.
Sometimes you simply have to trust the process and the people you've brought on board. Strangely enough, patience is something I had already learned quite a lot about in my personal life, although under very different circumstances.
When I was around nine years old, my dad was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). As I grew older, I gradually took on more responsibilities helping to care for him. At first, it was little things, helping him with the television, fetching his tea or bringing him dinner. But as his condition worsened, he began losing the ability to walk, and there were times when I had to help lift him after he'd fallen, sometimes entirely by myself.
Eventually, he became bedridden, and he passed away when I was 18. And believe me, looking after that man certainly taught me a thing or two about patience! (Laughs)
But there's something else from that experience that has stayed with me, and I think it's probably one of the most important lessons I could share with anyone pursuing a creative career.
Before I founded Devine Animation Studios, I actually ran a small software business that I'd started when I was just 13 years old. I developed mobile applications, and at the time of my dad's passing, I was trying to balance that business with college and everything happening at home.
For years, I'd never told my dad about the business. I suppose I was worried he'd react the same way some other people had, asking whether I was making any money and losing interest if the answer was no. But a few weeks before he died, I finally told him. And his reaction was something I'll never forget. His face absolutely lit up. He started asking me all sorts of questions about the business, what I was doing and what I hoped to achieve.
By that point, his health had deteriorated considerably. He'd suffered numerous infections that had affected his memory and his ability to think clearly, but despite all that, he remembered my business. He kept taking an interest in it. I think, in his own way, he was relieved to know that I had ambitions for my future and that perhaps one day I'd be in a position to help support the family.
After he passed away, I pushed myself incredibly hard to keep developing applications and pursuing my ambitions. I think part of me wanted to prove that his belief in me hadn't been misplaced. And that's something I'd say to anyone who's just starting out in filmmaking, or any creative industry for that matter.
Don't measure your success entirely by how much money you're making, how quickly you're progressing, or whether other people understand what you're trying to achieve. Be patient with yourself.
Be patient with the people you work with. Listen to them, learn from your mistakes, and understand that creating something worthwhile takes time. And most importantly, don't give up on something you genuinely believe in simply because somebody else can't see its potential.
You might spend years working towards a dream that other people don't understand, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth pursuing. I'm still learning myself. Devine Animation Studios is a young company, and we've got a very long way to go before we achieve everything I've envisioned. But I think that's part of the excitement.
Every challenge teaches you something, every setback gives you an opportunity to improve, and every little achievement brings you one step closer to where you want to be. So, if I had to sum up my advice, it would be this: be patient, believe in what you're creating and surround yourself with people who believe in it too. Because sometimes, all it takes is one person believing in you to make you believe in yourself a little more.
Who would you love to work with and why?
Wow! That's a great question, and there are so many people I'd absolutely love to work with!
If we're talking about actors from any period in cinema history, my number one choice would have to be Robin Williams. I've always considered him one of the greatest actors to ever live, simply because of how incredibly versatile he was. He could have you crying with laughter one minute and absolutely heartbroken the next.
Whether it was his hilarious performance as the Genie in Aladdin, his emotional performance in Good Will Hunting, or his incredible work in Awakenings, he had this extraordinary ability to make you feel something. I think that's what made him so special. He wasn't just a comedian or a dramatic actor; he was a storyteller who could do practically anything. I would have absolutely loved the opportunity to work with him.
As for filmmakers who are still with us, Steven Spielberg would definitely be near the top of my list. He's been involved in so many films that I absolutely adore, including The Goonies, Back to the Future, Gremlins, Empire of the Sun, and A.I. Artificial Intelligence. I admire his ability to balance spectacle, adventure, and genuine human emotion. He can make you feel like a child discovering the magic of cinema for the first time, and then turn around and absolutely break your heart!
There are plenty of actors I'd love to work with too, including Adam Sandler, Tom Holland and Brendan Fraser.
They're all incredibly talented performers who can bring something special to a character. But here's the interesting thing: as much as I'd love to work with those big names, I'm actually far more interested in discovering new talent.
I'd love Devine Animation Studios to become a place where undiscovered actors, independent performers and professional voice actors are given opportunities they might otherwise struggle to find. Everyone has to start somewhere, after all. Even the biggest names in Hollywood were once unknown performers hoping somebody would give them a chance.
One thing I've noticed about modern animated films is how heavily some productions rely on celebrity casting. Robin Williams' unforgettable performance as the Genie in Aladdin helped change the way Hollywood approached celebrity voice casting, and since then, having recognisable names attached to animated films has become an increasingly common marketing strategy.
Now, don't get me wrong, there are some absolutely phenomenal performances from Hollywood actors in animation, and I certainly wouldn't turn down a talented celebrity simply because they're famous! (Laughs) But I don't believe a recognisable name automatically makes someone the right choice for a character. Sometimes, the perfect voice belongs to somebody you've never heard of.
That's why I believe casting should always come down to talent, suitability and the ability to bring a character to life, rather than how many millions of followers somebody has or how recognisable their name is. I'd much rather discover an incredibly talented unknown voice actor and give them their first major opportunity than hire a famous actor simply for the publicity.
And who knows? Maybe one day somebody will look back at a Devine Animation Studios production and say, "That's where that actor got their big break!" I think that would be something pretty special.
What's next for you in your career after this film?
Well, Waldo VS The Polar King is really just the beginning of what we have planned for Devine Animation Studios!
We've already got several other animated shorts in development, some of which we're hoping to release throughout 2027. We're constantly developing new stories, characters, and worlds, so there's certainly no shortage of ideas keeping us busy! (Laughs) We're also developing an original fantasy television series, which I'm particularly excited about.
Unfortunately, I can't reveal too much about it just yet, but we're currently envisioning a first season consisting of approximately eight episodes, each running for around 20 minutes. The series will follow a princess living in a magical world filled with mysterious creatures and monsters. We're currently aiming for a 12 age rating, although that could change as the project develops.
That's about all I can reveal for now, but I'm really looking forward to sharing more about it when the time is right!
Looking further ahead, we also have several feature-length animated films planned. However, one of the realities of running a small, entirely self-funded independent studio is that our ambitions can sometimes be bigger than our current budget.
Producing a feature film requires a significant financial investment, and at this stage, it's simply not something we can afford to undertake without additional funding or outside investors. But that's certainly not going to stop us from working towards it!
My goal is to continue building Devine Animation Studios through our short films and television projects, gradually expanding our audience, developing our team, and hopefully attracting the investment needed to bring our larger productions to life.
Ultimately, I don't want Waldo VS The Polar King to be the film people remember us for and nothing else. I want it to be the film people look back on years from now and say, "That's where it all began." We've got plenty of stories left to tell, and we're only just getting started!
Find out more about Devine Animation Studios on their website - https://www.devineanimation.co.uk/
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