I have to admit to not being the greatest technician, but stop motion animation gives me licence to create machines that wouldn't otherwise be possible - inventions that seem real and actually work.

The nice thing about animation is that you can realise your inventions without understanding all the hard theory.

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.

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

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

After studying in Sheffield, I went down to London to do my post-graduate degree at the National Film and Television School, embarking on the movie that would eventually become 'A Grand Day Out.

My father, an architectural photographer, was an incurable tinkerer, maker and mender.