A TEAM of talented artists brought an iconic cartoon character to life onboard the Waverley as she sailed to Greenock.

Merik Tiz and Sean Patrick Campbell, who are part of a collection of artists called Sweætshops®, filmed their own 'live-action' version of the 1928 animated Mickey Mouse feature, 'Steamboat Willie' on the paddle steamer. 

The duo chose to remake the classic to mark the copyright expiry of the original film, and to celebrate the fact that Mickey Mouse is now 'in the public domain' as a result.

'Steamboat Willie' is considered to be the screen debut of Mickey and Minnie Mouse on screen. 

Merik dressed as Mickey Mouse for the production and Sean took all of the photos and video board the paddle steamer as she sailed downriver from Govan to Greenock. 

Greenock Telegraph:
The artists chose the Waverley as they wanted to show their interest in the industrialisation of both Govan and Greenock. 

Merik added: "The Waverley is the last fully-operational paddle steamer in the UK, and the last one capable of going on the water. 

"I live in Govan and Sean is from Greenock, so the voyage between the two locations was a perfect fit for the project. 

"We had intended it just be a day of getting test footage but it worked out really well.

"The team at the Waverley were fantastic. They were fine with me going around dressed up and being beside all the machinery!

"We wanted to take a character that's now out of copyright and bring it to life. I did a bit of work before on copyright law and how it can prevent ideas from developing naturally. 

"We want to get across that inspiration and ideas come from within."

Greenock Telegraph:
Merik and Sean are now planning a full-length feature which they say will be a more 'faithful' version of the original film - and will even star Minnie Mouse. 

They added: "We've been absolutely delighted with the response to the film. 

"It's been viewed all over the world. 

"It's great to see something take off like that."

Greenock Telegraph:

Sean added: "The landscape of Inverclyde occupies layered and difficult political spaces. 

"James Watt, father of the commercial steam engine, critical agitator of the industrial revolution and lynchpin of modern capitalism was born in Greenock, and his presence is memorialised throughout.

"My original landscape is a place of weirdness, of loss, the death of possible futures and sometimes a glimpse into 'somewhere else'.

"It is, and will always be, home."

Samuel Brown, marketing manager at Waverley Excursions, said the team were delighted that the paddle steamer was chosen to appear in the film. 

He added that the video 'showcased a unique and atmospheric perspective' of the vessel and said several filming projects are planned for later this year. 

Samuel added: "Following the highly successful 2023 season we are currently developing an exciting and innovative sailing programme for 2024 which will see a further expansion of Waverley’s calling points and the cruises she offers."

To watch the film visit https://youtu.be/uW9lNW6mhR8