Sing the Nation releases animated ad

LONDON - Sing the Nation, the community-based organisation set up to bring the nation together in song, has created an animated ad to encourage people to join in the event.

The organisers have teamed up with the BBC to stage a series of national events that will take place in 19 major cities across the UK.

The events will happen at the BBC outdoor big screens that are currently broadcasting the Olympics on Sunday August 24 when Beijing hands over to London in preparation for staging the next Olympics in 2012.

The 60-second animated spot, created by former RCA animator Nuno Costa, will be aired on the BBC Big Screens and seeded on the internet.

Chris Arnold, who co-wrote the ad with Spanish creative director Victoria Gallardo of Gallardo V, said: "Nuno is tipped to be one of the hot new names on the animation circuit with his innovative style and approach. It's quirky, fun and captures the spirit of the project."

Each frame was produced by hand using traditional animation techniques with all the people in the ad being shot instead of photographed.

The national sing-a-longs will be led by community choirs -- each choir has picked a song ranging from Blackpool's 'I do like to be beside the seaside' to Swansea singing the Tom Jones hit 'Delilah'. All the events are free.