YOUNGSTERS were given the chance to create a 3D animation using cutting-edge computer technology.

The 14 budding film-makers from Swindon, aged between 13 and 18, came up with their three-minute film at a studio in the Wyvern Theatre.

Entitled Prehistoric Pet Shop it focuses on a caveman who thinks he has bought a parrot egg from his local pet shop. But after it hatches he realises he’s been given a tyrannosaurus rex egg. The dinosaur then chases him out of his house.

The funny animation was made possible thanks to a £4,000 grant from First Light Movies in conjunction with the British Film Council.

The youngsters were helped along the way, using the same computer software the Madagascar animation films were based on, by twin brothers James and Mark Carroll.

The Park South brothers set up evil.twin.artworks and have successfully run their own animation studio for the last decade. They use traditional animation for television, interactive online games, music videos, corporate videos, architectural visualisation and special FX.

Greendown School pupil Lewis Rogers, 15, of Haydon Wick, said: “It’s great to get support from James and Mark who have so much experience in animation. I came up with the idea of the cave man and it’s great to see it come to life from drawings on screen.”

Pal Ben Keep, 16, of Peatmoor, said: “You’ve got to have a lot of patience but I would definitely like to make a career out of animation.”

All the kids enjoyed getting to grips with the computer technology and their enthusiasm was picked up on straight away.

“I was blown away by the maturity and enthusiasm of the team,” said professional writer John Byrne.

“But equally so by the excellent balance of positive support and direction they were given by evil.twin.artworks."

The kids had met in February to design story boards, but had only a handful of days to produce their work on screen this week.

“All 14 students really benefited from having a professional writer from London to teach specialised techniques that they have never had the chance to learn before,” said Mark Carroll, the director evil.twin.artworks.

“There is a great bunch of young talent in Swindon.

“We want to make the town a hub for animation and who knows we might develop the next Spielberg.”

Professional musician Matt Kilford added: “Their knowledge of film is sometimes quite astonishing and it’s comforting to know that they are out there learning their trade, respecting the classics, yet at the same time also embracing the technology that surrounds them.”

The short film will be premiered in Swindon in June.