There is something about the Australian psyche that seems to like films that are slightly offbeat.

When I was a teenager, my dad watched my films and told me I could go to art college and study animation. He made me see that I could do this for a living.

Gromit was the name of a cat. When I started modeling the cat I just didn't feel it was quite right, so I made it into a dog because he could have a bigger nose and bigger, longer legs.

Americans like the British kind of quirkiness and the strange accent. They find it kind of cute or something, with a certain charm.

I'm always there at home thinking of Wallace and Gromit ideas.

I think we all have a Wallace and Gromit inside us. Wallace is the part that has wild plans. Gromit is the sensible side, reining you in.

Get out and make films. There are so many cameras now to suit any budget, so there are no excuses.