Poppy Parr is a game developer and award-winning CGI and animation artist from Wales. Poppy is storming the creative industry after posting her artwork online and has gained over 50,000 followers on social media and her short film showing her speed painting went viral after gaining over 200,000 views and engagements. Poppy was noticed in 2018 by the late and great Nik Powell a British Business man, film producer and one of the co-founders of Virgin Records with Richard Branson. Nik encouraged Poppy to apply to study to a highly prestigious institution, one of the top film schools in the world The National Film and Television School (NFTS) in London. She is now currently a Masters Degree student and has received a highly sort after scholarship through the NFTS which came from the head of the animation and film department at ScreenSkills Gareth Unwin a multi Academy and BAFTA Award-winning Producer and CEO of the London-based Bedlam Film Productions.
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This Masters Degree in Games design and development only takes a small hand full of students which they cherry pick from worldwide submissions. Poppy Says “I am beyond elated to have been accepted, it is such an honour to study where so many Oscar and BAFTA winners have also studied. When I went for my interview, I was met with so many awards it was overwhelming but it really shows how incredible the NFTS is for nurturing hard work and talent as they have achieved such great accolades. To also get support and belief in my future from Gareth is truly incredible and although Nik Powell is no longer with us, I wish I could thank him for his guidance and telling me about this school.”
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However, this has not been an easy feat for this young welsh artist. Having to leave her first college due health reasons. Suffering PTSD from losing a close family member and she underwent abhorrent harassment and dealt with pretty ruthless stalkers that travelled from a whole other country to cause her unwanted stress which escalated to severe threats. Leaving her afraid to leave her home and severely affected her health further. Then she was met with disparaging comments about being a woman in the games industry. Luscious blonde tresses and golden green eyes this Rapunzel has been hit with a stereotype many women know all too well ‘All blondes are dumb!’. Poppy thought she would not be able to cope with the pressure of it all but despite these events with sheer determination and remaining positive she rose above the adversity, became an ambassador for STEM, disability and mental health and graduated from university with an HND in illustration and Bachelor of Arts Degree full with honours in Game Art from University South Wales (USW) and aims to be a positive role model for other young women who wish to obtain a career in STEM related roles.
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In the future Poppy intends to focus on projects that go beyond entertainment and that will raise awareness for mental health, disabilities, bullying, and that encourage cultural understandings and that push the boundaries of storytelling and innovation, that herself and her team will be able to reach out to a diverse group of people who will be able to enrich the narratives they wish to tell to create the most authentic experiences. Poppy has always believed that games are the most powerful medium for engineering empathy as they allow the player to experience others’ lives first hand which is crucial in today's world to encourage understanding and acceptance.
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