Leah Taylor

Task 3.
Aardman Animations Report.

Who are Aardman?

Aardman Animations, Ltd., also known
as Aardman Studios, or simply as
Aardman, is a British animation studio
based in Bristol, this is where the
founders grew up. Aardman is known for films made using stop-motion clay
animation techniques, particularly those featuring Plasticine characters Wallace and
Gromit. After some experimental computer animated short films during the late
1990s, beginning with Owzat (1997), it entered the computer animation market with
Flushed Away (2006). Aardman films have made $973.2 million worldwide and
average $163 million per film. All of their stop motion films are among the highest-
grossing stop-motion films, with their debut, Chicken Run (2000), being their top-
grossing film as well as the highest-grossing stop-motion film of all time.
Who were the Founders?
Aardman was founded in 1972 as a low-budget project by Peter Lord and David
Sproxton.
Peter Lord:
Peter lord in Bristol, England on November 4, 1953. He is a
producer and director, known for The Amazing Adventures of
Morph (1980), Chicken Run (2000) and The Curse of the
Were-Rabbit (2005). In co-operation with David Sproxton, a
friend of his youth, he realised his dream of "making and
taking an animated movie". He graduated in English from the
University of York in 1976. He and Sproxton founded
Aardman as a low-budget backyard studio, producing shorts
and trailers for publicity. Their work was first shown as part of
the BBC TV series Vision On. In 1977 they created Morph, a
stop-motion animated character made of Plasticine, who was
usually a comic foil to the TV presenter Tony Hart. With his
alter-ego Chas, he appeared in a series of children's art
programmes including Take Hart, Hartbeat and Smart. From 1980-1981, Morph
appeared in his own TV series The Amazing Adventures of Morph.
David Sproxton:
David Sproxton was born on January 6, 1954 in Bristol, England.
He is a producer and director, known for The Curse of the Were-
Rabbit (2005), Chicken Run (2000) and Flushed Away (2006).

David graduated from Collingwood College, Durham University

before starting as an animator, producing segments for the
Vision On TV program, Sproxton and Lord created the character
of Morph for Take Hart (which featured Tony Hart, the artist from
Vision On).

He is credited as the cinematographer for the BAFTA Award

nominated War Story, and the Oscar nominated Adam, as well
as the Oscar-winning Creature Comforts directed by Nick Park.

Other production credits include Chicken Run, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the
Were-Rabbit and Arthur Christmas.

In May 2006, Sproxton (along with Peter Lord) visited the "Aardman Exhibit" at the
Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan, where he met Hayao Miyazaki. Miyazaki
has long been a fan of the Aardman Animation works. Sproxton was appointed a
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) on 17 June 2006.

What is the history of Aardman?

In 1986, Peter Gabriel suggested that they
collaborate with director Stephen Johnson and
the Brothers Quay to create a new rock video.
Sledgehammer went on to collect almost every
award that year. That original combination of
rhythm, energy, style and visual flair was also
harnessed to provide the visual accompaniment
to the late Nina Simone's My Baby Just Cares
For Me and Robert Parker's Barefootin'.
In 1989, the studio was again commissioned by Channel Four Television to create a
series of five 5-minute films, Lip Synch. This ground-breaking series further explored
the world of animation based on true characters and real voices and included Peter
Lord's War Story and Going Equipped, Barry Purves' Next, Richard Goleszowski's
Ident and Nick Park's Creature Comforts, which went on to win the 1990 Academy
Award for Best Animated Short Film.
In 1993 Aardman passed another milestone with the
completion of Nick Park's Oscar winning The Wrong
Trousers, Aardman's first 30-minute film. Acclaimed world-
wide and winner of over thirty awards, The Wrong Trousers
has become one of the most successful animated films ever
made.
In 1995 Aardman produced Nick Park's third Oscar winning film A Close Shave. An
immediate success, it confirmed the studio’s reputation as well as establishing
Wallace and Gromit as household names. In 1996, the studio produced Peter Lord's
Oscar nominated 11-minute short film, Wat's Pig (for Channel Four) as well as a
children's series based on Morph, The Morph Files.

In 1998, Aardman won a BAFTA for Stage Fright, an 11-minute short film
commissioned by Channel Four Television. Steve Box, Nick Park's key animator on
both The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave, directed Stage Fright.

The studio’s first animated television series for youth and adults, Rex The Runt,
created and directed by longtime Aardman associate Richard Goleszowski, was first
shown on BBC2 in 1998 and garnered many top international awards. A second
series was commissioned and shown on BBC2 in 2001. Angry Kid, directed by
Darren Walsh, was Aardman’s first series released exclusively on the internet via
Atomfilms.com. BBC Three commissioned a second series which played a major
part in the channel’s launch.

Chicken Run was Aardman’s first full-length theatrical feature film to be funded by
DreamWorks. Directed by both Peter Lord and Nick Park it was released in June
2000 in the US and UK to excellent reviews and outstanding box office receipts.
Chicken Run has grossed over $220M at the worldwide box office. And they have
continued to produce high quality and very popular animated movies till now.

What do they produce?

Aardman produces animated films. Using

clay to create most of their character in
their animated films, using the clay they
create the caracters and then they have to
move them slightly each time they take a
picture of the scene. To make these films
it takes a very long time because when
they make a mistake they will have to start
again. But in most cases they rarly make
mistakes because they want to production of making the aniamted film to go as
smoothly and efficiently as they can possibly make it. Once they put the animated
film together it has to go through testing where people to watch it to see if it runs
smoothly and there are no mistakes because if there are any mistakes then they will
have to go back and do it again.
What have they produced?

Aardman have produced many films. They have produced some of the most
well-known animated films in history, these include: the Wallace and Gromit
series, Shaun the sheep movie, chicken run, early man, the pirates! Band of
misfits, flushed away, a close shave, Arther Christmas, not without my
handbag, Pib and Pog, wat’s pig, confessions of a foyer girl, war story, the
Pearce sisters, dot, loves me… loves me not, minotaur and little Nerkin,
humdrum, going equipped, Owzat, down and out, Adam, Next, On probation,
and so many more. The easiest way to tell if you’re watching a film produced by
Aardman Animations, a British animation studio based out of Bristol, is to check for
fingerprints. If you look closely enough at any frame of their stop-motion short or
feature films, you can see fingerprint ridges left by an animator who literally moved
the Plasticine figures with their own fingers to create movement and expression.
Computer animation may be the dominant model for commercial cinema, but there
may not be a better illustration of the power of “homemade” animation than literal
impressions on the screen.
How are their finances?
Originally Aardman was a British company, all of the animations what Aardman have
created and produced so far have been created in Britain. Britain have animation tax
credits which are very expensive, and they were and many be still are struggling to
release their new animation as it is too expensive for them to do so and if they do
this could mean a loss in money when they want to gain as much money as they
can, they could only really release this animation overseas because the animation
tax credits aren’t as expensive.
Within the company financial problems have not been very common, the only big
scandal the company have had to face was an internal one and this is where an
employee was using the company credit card for personal use, this is one of the
biggest stories I could find on financial problems within Aardman. The person who
did this was called Sarah Folan and she used the company credit card to spend
about £5,000, to buy herself things. After some time, the money was retrieved
through the employee’s salary and the company’s insurance.
Aardman animations have a film sector (Aardman films) they have made an average
of $163 million per film since they have started production films and they have also
made $972.1 million worldwide. Aardman had quite a big reduction in their profits in
2012 comparing it to the year before. In 2011, their profits were at £66 million then in
2012 they dropped to 22.22 million, they lost £43.8 million in just a year, they said
that there was no reason for this loss, but in that year, they had a few smaller
projects which they didn’t do so this could have had an effect on it. Then in 2013
Aardman was very successful in the television and the film divisions and had a
turnover of £18.7 million.
Who works there?
201 to 500 employees.
Neil Hatton (Chief Executive, UK Screen)
Alex Hope (Managing Director, Double Negative)
Mike Kelt (Chief Executive, Artem)
Lesley Marr (Operations Director, Molinare TV & Film)
Will Cohen (Chief Executive, Milk VFX)
JP Dash (Founder, Dash Media Ltd)
Rich Moss (Managing Director, Gorilla Group)
Eric Stevens (Global Sales Director, Pinewood Studios Group)
Claire McGrane (Director of Operations, Company 3)
Kate O'Connor (Executive Chair of Animation UK Council)
Oli Hyatt MBE (MD, BlueZoo)
Kerry Lock (Finance Director, Aardman Animation)
Phil Dobree (CEO, Jellyfish Pictures)
Sean Costelloe (MD, The Mill)
Fiona Walkinshaw (Global Joint Managing Director of Film, Framestore)
Kerry is the Finance Director at Aardman Animations (Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the
Sheep, Timmy Time, Chicken Run), a role he has held since 2003, after joining the
company in 1996.
A qualified accountant, prior to Aardman, he held a variety of financial roles in the
retail, engineering, construction, software and insurance industries. He is currently a
Trustee of Spike Island, an international centre for the development of contemporary
art and design, and is also a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of The SS Great
Britain Trust.
From 2010 to 2014 this is the list of how many employees they had ove these 5
years:
2010: 239
2011: 239
2012: 222
2013: 172
2014: 165

What is their level of responsibility- Manager to Warehouse worker?

1. Main purpose of the role:
The CGI department is involved principally in the production of commercials.
Occasionally it also gets involved in the production of short films and test pieces for
series work.
Lighting
 To openly exchange ideas, techniques and procedures to enhance the
creative process and the development of all others within the department.
 To provide high level of lighting, texturing, rendering and compositing on all
productions and tests as required.
 Knowledge using Vray is essential
 To collaborate closely with production crew members on other parts of the
process where lighting input is required to achieve the highest production
quality.
 To ensure collation of project files during production and appropriate archiving
on completion.
 May be required to do some look development work for shaders/design.
Modelling
 To provide finished characters, sets and props for productions when required.
 To provide proxy characters and props for layout and blockthroughs when
required.
 To maintain a good level of modelling skills using Maya is essential.
 Zbrush experience would be ideal but not essential.
Person Specification:
 High level modelling, lighting, texturing, rendering and compositing skills and
knowledge of all aspects of computer animation production.
 Demonstrates positive attitude to work and strives to reach highest standards
 Has strong communication skills
 Takes responsibility for work and shows thoroughness and attention to detail
 Is keen to develop in new areas
 Is supportive of other team/dept members.
 Is highly self-motivated
  Team player. Willing to both lead and follow
 Highly creative in both artistic and technical problem solving in a positive and
pro-active manner.
 Able to work effectively under pressure.
 Ability to prioritise and provide accurate assessments of task requirements.

2. Main purpose of the role:

The CGI Animation Team is involved in the production of CGI characters for Early
Man. The primary focus of the role will be to animate digital puppets that will be
integrated into the final shots as background characters. You will need to replicate
the Aardman style of stop frame animation so their motion is indistinguishable.
The Assistant Animator will provide vital support for the whole team from animating
background characters’ cycles to providing animation for Pre-Vis.
Duties & Responsibilities:
This is a summary of duties and responsibilities and is not intended to be exhaustive.
Assistant Animator
 To animate on assigned sequences according to the brief set by the director
or Head of Animation.
 To create block through animation and carry out any required animation tests.
 To collaborate closely with production crew members on other parts of the
process where animation input is required to achieve the highest production
quality.
 To work under the guidance of senior animator and Head of Animation.
 To observe the provisions of the Health & Safety at Work Act.
Person Specification:
 Demonstrates good animation skills and a good understanding of all aspects
of computer animation production.
 Ability to take feedback and direction.
 Has an understanding of character modelling.
 Demonstrates positive attitude to work and strives to reach highest standards.
 Team player with strong communication skills.
 Takes responsibility for work and shows thoroughness and attention to detail.
 Is highly self-motivated.
 A technical proficiency in the use of computers, software and peripherals.
 Able to work effectively under pressure.
 Responsible to: Head of Animation and Senior Animator.
Specific Functional Contacts: Producers, Directors, Head of Animation, CGI team
and other departments as required.
 3. Role of the Department:
The Partner Content Department creates short form animated or interactive content,
which is commissioned by Advertising and Digital Agencies, TV & Online Channels,
Publishers, Brand Owners, Charities and internally through Aardman Rights.
Main Function of the Role:
Reporting to the Head of New Business this role supports the Partner Content Team
with sales and social media activities to raise awareness of the breadth of different
types of content and animation styles we create. It manages the social media profile
for the department and supports the sales team with events and presentations as
well as ensuring the CRM system is kept up to date.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Social Media & PR:
 Social Media Profile - To grow and manage the social media profile for the
department, spotting opportunities and suggesting ideas for activity across a
range of platform.
 Overall studio social media strategy – Liaise with the Studio Publicist to
ensure a consistent and appropriate tone of voice and that posts are timely in
terms of the studio’s overall social media strategy.
 Asset Bank –Create new and prepare existing assets for use on social media
and in other PR– such as GIFS, video clips, stills & credit lists liaising with
production teams as appropriate.
 Social Media Support – Support and advise other senior team members with
their social medial channels as required and as time allows.
 New Opportunities – Engage in relevant conversations online which may
create new sales opportunities and share this information with the Head of
New Business.
 External Environment - Keep an eye out for any new social media trends &
platforms where we can reach and engage with agencies and clients.
 PR - Support the Studio Publicist with enquires or assets for press and PR
purposes related to Commercials, Interactive & Short Form.
 Website – Keep the Partner Content section on aardman.com up to date with
new productions and keep the back-end system organised.
 Awards - Assist in arranging award-entry deliverables as required.

New Business and Sales:

 Sales Events - Support the Head of New Business in the preparation of
presentations and
 organisation of hospitality and travel arrangements as required.
 External Sales Agents (UK, US & Canada) – Respond to external sales
agent's requests for support as required and ensure they are kept in the loop
 with social media, PR and new productions so that they can use them on their
own websites and social media activity.
 CRM Database - Keep Team-leader CMS system up to date with all new
enquiries and contacts as well as managing any productions through the
system until they are confirmed.
Person Specification:
 Minimum 2 years’ experience of creating social media, blogging and/or
community management.
 Experience of working in a sales environment.
 High level of ability in copywriting.
 Competent skills in design, image & sound manipulation.
 A good understanding of social media platforms, tech and etiquette are
essential.
 Experience of managing a CRM system preferred especially Team Leader.
 Good organisation, administrative and communication skills, with an excellent
eye for detail.
 Team player with a flexible and proactive approach to work.
The list below is all the directors who work for Aardman, they are very reasonable for
most of what goes on when they are creating and producing an animation.

 Asa Lucander
 Andy Lavery
 Bram Ttwheam
 Danny Capozzi
 Darren Dubicki
 Lucy Izzard
 Magdalena Osinska
 Matthew walker
 Merlin Crossingham
 Nigel Davies
 Peter Peake
 Rebecca Manley
 Rich Webber
 Sam Morrison
 Sarah cox
 Simone Giapaolo
 Steve Harding-hill
 Tim ruffle
 Will Studo
How is Aardman organised- is there an Organisational Structure?
When it comes to planning an Aardman
animated film, they have to plan it out very
well, so everyone knows what they are doing
so they don’t lose any time when shooting
the animation, they usually have many
different animators on set, as they have all
together 37 soothing units, this means that
lots of different scenes can be shot at the same time, this saves a lot of time
because in each of the different rooms something different can be going on, then
when a scene has been shot it need to be approved and then when it is approved,
on the schedule board there will be a black line through that particular scene then
this tells everyone that this scene has been shot and approved.
They have schedule boards which they put on what they should be doing on the
different days and where he animators should
be on what day, as the different animators
need to be doing something at all time because
if they are not then it is a waste of time as they
need to be doing something because they are
a very important part of the creation of an
animation. There is only a small amount of
people are allowed to change anything on the
schedule boards as they are planned so
precisely, that if it is changed then something
might go wrong. These schedule boards on each side represent 2 weeks of filming
time, so all together on one of the schedule, on both sides of it represents 4 weeks of
filming. Usually a month on the schedule boards is very tightly plotted and then it
gets a little bit looser as the time go on as some things might change and they might
have to swap somethings around. On the schedule boards they have elastic bands,
these represent where different animators will be going when they have finished a
shoot as they have to be doing something always, so when a set is getting ready, but
an animator has already finished a scene then they need to be doing something else
in one of the other rooms.
It is very important that the people who work for Aardman are very organised as they
have deadlines to meet, and every to run smoothly.
Job rolls what are available within Aardman:
Receptionist.
Assisted director.
Rigger.
Set dresser.
Assisted art directors.
Warehouse.
Architect design.
Computer and software.
Graphic design.
Pianist artist.
Machinist.
Multimedia production.
Assisted animators.
Storyboard artist.
Editors.
Directors.
Production manager.
Prop design.
Planning.
Shooting.
Key animates.
Canteen working.
Model making.
There are many more different jobs what are available in Aardman, the list above are
a few of them as they need people to work in all of the department in the company.