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andylatham · Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Manchester, UK

Does anyone know any british animation studios that specialise in 2D animation?

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DavidN · Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 52 Location: Orlando, FL

It's difficult to find anyone specializing in only hand-drawn animation these days. It's a reality of the business that studios must offer both "2D" and "3D" to survive.

One British studio that has done a lot of hand-drawn animation in the past is Uli Meyer Studios.
I know that Uli's studio is currently making a CG animated feature , but I don't think that Uli has given up the pencil permanently. (I hope not ! He draws so well, I would hate to hear that he had given it all up.)

Geoff Dunbar Animation does seem to specialize in hand-drawn animation. (although I'm not entirely sure if Geoff Dunbar maintains as fully staffed studio at this time ... like a lot of places he probably staffs up for particular projects , but doesn't maintain a regular studio staff beyond himself and a few assistants . I could be wrong about that ,but that's how it seems to me)

Sylvain Chomet's Django Films does mostly hand-drawn animation, but with CG very cleverly integrated with the hand-drawn stuff (see "The Triplettes of Belleville") . At this time they are working on a hand-drawn feature film called "The Illusionist" .

Passion Pictures in London still does a lot of hand-drawn animation , but their work is also characterized by a hybrid blend of hand-drawn and CG .

"Hybrid" is a word that describes a lot of the work being done today that has a primarily "2D" look, but may in fact involve quite a bit more than simply hand-drawn animation .
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andylatham · Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Manchester, UK

Thanks David, I had no idea that Sylvain Chomet had a studio in the UK. I just assumed he was entirely based in France. I love Les Triplettes, it's a fantastic film.

I guess no studio can stay afloat these days on hand-drawn alone. I know a lot of people are skeptical about Disney's recent decision to pick up pencils again, but I hope they follow it through to the end and that they are successful as it would probably do great things for the 2D industry.
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DavidN · Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 52 Location: Orlando, FL

Here's another London studio I forgot about :

Klacto Animation which is Oscar Grillo and Ted Rockley . Mostly hand-drawn animation on their showreel . Not sure how active they are currently.
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Nancy Beiman · Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 50

Uli Meyer is using Flash for his feature, I believe.
don't forget Joanna Quinn's BERYL PRODUCTIONS in Cardiff.

There hasn't been 'pure hand drawn' feature animation for nearly twenty years. CGI is useful for things like carriages, wheels, and other things that take a long time to do by hand. Character animation may be hand drawn using Wacom tablets. It's the same art, just a different vector. I'm in favor of anything that takes some of the donkey work out of animation.

Sylvain Chomet's Django films was set up in Edinburgh, Scotland nearly two years ago. They have a website and received a moderate amount of publicity at the time. I am looking forward to seeing the Illusionist.

Incidentally, TRIPLETTES OF BELLEVILLE was about 30% CGI. (trucks, bicycles and their riders, cars, and cycle runs on characters).
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Animation isn't the illusion of life. Animation IS life. --Chuck Jones

Nancy Beiman · Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 50

A GORILLAZ feature is in preproduction. Terry Gilliam is 'attached' to the project, as a director.

This is probably being done through Passion Pictures, which produced all other Gorillaz videos.

I like the videos but absolutely hate the interface on their DVDS. I don't want to shop all around a room looking for the films!
A feature film might be extremely interesting. I am enjoying the 'biography' of the band. It's a great idea....it remains to be seen whether they can sustain interest for 78 minutes rather than 8.
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Animation isn't the illusion of life. Animation IS life. --Chuck Jones

lenneth · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 3