Darlington Tower Clock Animation

Animation by: John T Lefebvre - Pittsburgh USA
Story by: John Dean - Darlington UK

WHEN aspiring American artist John Thomas LeFebvre III decided to base a college project on a major landmark, he was spoiled for choice. There was, after all, the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge or even the mighty Grand Canyon. But from a seemingly endless list of national and internationally recocognised landmarks the Pittsburgh artist chose Darlington’s Town Clock!

Now Mr LeFebvre is nearing the completion of an animation project based entirely on the town centre clock after spotting it on on the Darlingtontown website, which promotes information and events for residents, visitors and ex-patriots.

Mr LeFebvre III, who has never been to Darlington, has been attending the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for two years as he tries to forge a career in animation. He said: “This all started out as just a three-month project for a class I was taking at the school. We were each given an assignment to produce a realistic piece about some type of mechanical object. “I said “Well, clocks are pretty cool and innovative since way back when” so I decided to go with a clock tower. I went straight to the Internet and searched through images of clock tower pictures then I saw a few really detailed pictures of this one tower and it just so happened to be in Darlington. “I said to myself “Hey, now that's a really cool looking clock tower” and there were already some pictures that I could get straight to work with.” He then e-mailed Mark Burton, who runs the website as a not-for-profit community resource.

Mark was able to help further to by providing encouragement, background history and more images to allow the project to develop. “Mark has been the greatest help and I totally appreciate every effort he made in helping me with this project. I’m sure the website is a brilliant resource for local residents as well as those further afield and a real ambassador for the town both at home and abroad. Things are really taking shape on the assignment and I can't wait to see the final animation,” said Mr LeFebvre.

Mr Burton, who originally put the images on his site as part of a feature about the town clock, said: “Most people have a desire to know things. This can range from wanting to know what’s happening and what’s going on to finding something out, in this case to complete a project. We have lots of contact from people who used to live in the town or who have visited but want to know a little bit more information. When you delve into the history surrounding the town it can be really interesting and it’s great to hear how we have helped with such a great project especially one so far away.”

Mr LeFebvre said: “I hope my work will inspire others' and help people to appreciate and take into consideration the of process animation can play in recreating pieces of history. I wouldn't mind making another 3D animated model out of another landmark within the town, perhaps something that builds upon the heritage the town has from the birth of the railways.”

To download the finished Animation click here or you can link to it from the main image above.
(Windows Movie Player .wmv - Size 6.73mb)

Images from where Mr. LeFebvre lives - Pittsburgh USA
Click to view larger (800x600) size

6th St Bridge	7th St Bridge	PPG Building
PPG Palace	Viper