The Curse of Dracular – Jack Paterson’s Handcrafted Claymation Tribute to Childhood Imagination
Jack Paterson’s The Curse of Dracular is the kind of student film that instantly stands out—beautifully sculpted, lovingly handmade, and dripping with personality. A claymation short rooted in family history and fueled by a lifelong love of stop motion, Paterson’s film combines classic Hammer Horror theatrics with a personal creative journey that stretches back to his childhood.
A Story Born From a Family Treasure
The film’s origins are as charming as its visual style. While sorting through old schoolwork, Paterson’s father stumbled upon a story he had written at around nine years old—a miniature Hammer Horror adventure featuring a fearsome vampire, spooky showdowns, and wonderfully earnest spelling mistakes. One detail in particular stood out: he had repeatedly spelled “Dracula” as “Dracular.” Paterson found the misspelling hilarious and endearing, and decided to keep it as the official title of his final-year university film.
More than just a humorous relic, the story became a meaningful creative bridge between father and son. Paterson credits his dad as one of his biggest artistic influences, recalling early memories of sculpting characters and creatures out of Play-Doh and Plasticine together. The Curse of Dracular became a tribute to those memories, transforming a childhood imagination piece into a fully realized stop-motion short.
Clay Animation Crafted by Hand
What makes The Curse of Dracular particularly striking is its authentically tactile look. Paterson animated the film entirely himself, sculpting the puppets, building the props, and constructing the sets—most of it inside his dining room. This intimate, one-man-crew approach gives the film a unique visual identity.
The character work is exceptional. The puppets have a bold, expressive quality reminiscent of classic British claymation but with Paterson’s own contemporary twist. Their design calls back to the exaggerated drama of old Hammer Horror icons such as Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, an influence the film wears proudly.
The sets add an additional layer of charm. Painted wooden panels stand in for walls, mirrors, coat hangers, doors, and Victorian-style exterior facades. The result feels like a miniature theatrical production, where every backdrop looks handcrafted and intentionally stylized. It’s a world built from paint, clay, and personality—perfectly suited to the playful horror tone of the story.
Synopsis
In this comedic claymation homage to classic British horror, viewers are invited into the deadly domain of Count Dracular. The film playfully reenacts the archetypal battle between vampire hunter and vampire, but through the lens of a story written by a nine-year-old. The dialogue and action reflect the earnest awkwardness of childhood storytelling while still delivering charming character moments, atmospheric lighting, and plenty of miniature visual flair.
At just over seven minutes, the short moves briskly through its gothic set pieces, blending campy horror, handcrafted artistry, and heartfelt nostalgia.
Festival Recognition and Awards
Despite its humble dining-room origins, The Curse of Dracular has already earned impressive recognition on the festival circuit.
Awards:
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Best Stop Motion (sponsored by Aardman) – Animation Dingle
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Undergraduate Craft Skills: Production Design – Royal Television Society East (RTS East) Student Television Awards 2024
Festival Screenings include:
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Manchester Film Festival
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Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology
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Additional screenings at several independent and student-focused festivals across the UK and internationally
This level of acclaim highlights not only the film’s charm but also Paterson’s craftsmanship and eye for design—skills promising a bright future in stop-motion filmmaking.
A Promising New Voice in Claymation
The Curse of Dracular has all the hallmarks of a breakout student project: a deeply personal origin, a handcrafted aesthetic, and a sincere love for the medium. Paterson’s clay animation skills, inventive set design, and heartfelt approach to storytelling all come together in a short film that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
What began as a rediscovered childhood story ended as a festival-recognized stop-motion gem—and a touching tribute to the artist who inspired it.
Sources
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The Curse of Dracular – Official YouTube Release
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjd6jETfd5c -
Deskfable Films – Project Page / Trailer
https://www.deskfable.co.uk/my-work/v/the-curse-of-dracular-trailer -
Norwich University of the Arts – RTS East Award Announcement
https://norwichuni.ac.uk/news/norwich-graduate-wins-national-royal-television-society-award/ -
IMDb – The Curse of Dracular
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34507066/ -
Letterboxd – The Curse of Dracular
https://letterboxd.com/film/the-curse-of-dracular/ -
Horror Guys – Short Film Review
https://www.horrorguys.com/short-film-the-curse-of-dracular-2024/
