Ben Collier Marsh is really excited to share a new self-initiated animation project, created in collaboration with poet Harry Baker.
Harry is a UK-based mathematician and poet, and the youngest-ever Poetry World Slam Champion (2012). His work is known for its warmth, honesty and humanity, and his poem “Maybe” was written, in his words, “for anyone who’s ever been made to feel small by someone else.”
Ben first saw Harry perform alongside his wife’s choir in Margate and was completely captivated. Harry’s delivery, humour and emotional depth stayed with Ben long after the performance. When he later revisited “Maybe”, he felt a strong pull to respond creatively — so he reached out to see if Harry would be open to collaboration.
The poem explores overcoming bullying, believing in yourself, and building confidence in who you are. Ben wanted the animation to support that message without overpowering it.
The piece is built around a single walk cycle that subtly transforms as the poem ebbs and flows. His aim was to challenge himself to create something structurally simple, but visually and emotionally engaging — allowing the animation to breathe with Harry’s pacing and delivery, and letting image and voice work together.
This project also arrived at a time when Ben needed it. After a difficult year personally, the process of making this piece became a quiet source of focus, resilience, and reflection.
Ben is a passionate advocate for standing against bullying. It has no place in modern society, whether in schools, workplaces, neighbourhoods, or families. Bullying can have long-term emotional and behavioural effects, and many artists — poets especially — have used their voices to speak out against it.
As Thea Voutiritsas writes: “In the face of such pain, many have sought refuge in poetry and literature.”
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Motion with emotion.
Ben Collier Marsh is really excited to share a new self-initiated animation project, created in collaboration with poet Harry Baker.
The poem explores overcoming bullying, believing in yourself, and building confidence in who you are. Ben wanted the animation to support that message without overpowering it.
This project also arrived at a time when Ben needed it. After a difficult year personally, the process of making this piece became a quiet source of focus, resilience, and reflection.
As Thea Voutiritsas writes: “In the face of such pain, many have sought refuge in poetry and literature.”
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Credits:
www.wecanmake.co.uk
Animation: Ben Collier Marsh
Production Company: WeCanMake
Poet: Harry Baker
Instagram: @wecanmake.co.uk @harrybakerpoet
X/Twitter: @bcmdrawsmotion