On Tuesday the 30th of April as part of my “Work Based Learning” module, I will be performing a presentation covering 7 topics which will be based upon industry research around selected companies and their work-based issues. This presentation is designed to address the Learning Objective “Select and analyze a work-based issue within your vocational sector” within my “Work Based Learning” module whilst simultaneously developing my research, analysis, and diagnostic skills in identifying sector specific issues and problems in concise manors through clear and apparent representation. This scripted blog post will form the basis of research I will utilize to inform my PowerPoint Presentation ensuring that the information I discuss during my group critique will be relevant and informed. Therefore, throughout this blog post I will be researching and discussing various international and local animation studios and agencies to decipher their “work-based issues” for discussion within my presentation. This opportunity for research will also grant me the opportunity to outline potential directions for future development upon graduation and will be heavily disscussed and referenced throughout this blog post.
/////Companies & Industry - North East Based
Arcus Animation is a 2d animation studio based in Gateshead that creates broadcast animation, promotional videos, video installations, inhouse original content as well as developing new IP. The company was originally created off the back of a successful competition entry into the annual e4 ident live brief which as a competition encouraged the submission of short animated sequences portraying a logo reveal of the channels iconic symbol. Shortly after winning this competition the company was born and has been creating popular commercial animations for clients such as the BBC and NHS as well as SEGA. Predominantly Arcus creates 2d animation utilizing a combination of hand drawn traditional animation composited alongside modern motion graphics utilizing software such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects.
Due to being based in the Tyne and Wear region of England, Arcus Animation are right on my doorstep regarding possibilities for future progression upon graduation should I decide not to continue onto a full degree top-up year. Although Arcus does not communicate an internship program, I am aware from word of mouth communication that Arcus do hire freelance creatives on through a Junior designer scheme which could be an avenue for progression should I aspire to fit the role they could offer. It is likely that should I pursue gaining work or a junior scheme through Arcus Animation that I would be able to gain first-hand insight and experience into appropriate industry production that likely would ensure the next stage of development as a creative aspiring success within industry. Arcus have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with within the commercial animation space in the north east of England and should I decide that I desire to stay rooted within my local area then Arcus is an obvious choice for career direction regarding my future development.
Three Motion is a video production and animation company based in Newcastle Upon Tyne in the North East of England. Three Motion perform as a full-service creative video agency with the self-acclaimed goal of supporting mid to large companies, brands, and organizations across the United Kingdom. They have become a popular company to work with if you are within the corporate sector around the North East England and have worked with companies such as: Sec-Tech, Hobbyweld, and Ubi-soft. Three motion as a company utilize a combination of hand-drawn digital animation, 2d motion graphics, and 3d animation techniques alongside specialist compositing.
As a student animator currently studying in Newcastle Upon Tyne, it is pretty clear that they are local to my current location regarding potential avenues for future progression. Past students that have been on my current foundation degree have been successful in working with and as part of this company as either a hired-on member of staff or on a freelance basis. I believe due to the location and demonstrated portfolio of the company that I likely have developed a skillset that is capable of taking advantage of any opportunity's that present themselves around and from Three Motion. Three Motion as a company have established themselves as a reliable company for animation production within my local area and I believe getting in contact with this company upon graduation is promising opportunity at future progression should dedicate my time to contacting them.
Atom Hawk Design is a visual development specialist company producing Concept Art, Motion Graphics, Ux-Ui Design, and Marketing artworks for games developers, film studios, and product designers, in the North East England, South of British Columbia Canada and around the globe internationally. Atom Hawk have 2 studies at present, one based on my door step in Gateshead, England and one based in Vancouver, Canada. Typically, Atom Hawk produce content utilizing concept artists and illustrators to flesh out the shape, form, color, and ideas of conceptual visual development for companies seeking to realize their ideas in a visual communications format. However, Atom Hawk have a collective of motion designers who assist them in the development of animations, storyboards, animatics, animated Ux and Ui interfaces, motion comics, and other motion-based content should it benefit the aims of their clients. The majority of the content I have witnessed demonstrated within their portfolio utilizes motion graphic software such as Adobe After Effects and is devoid of traditional animation methods such as hand-drawn.
As a creative with passion embedded within the motion design space, it is undeniable that there is a high likely hood that there is the potential for future progression at the Gateshead based Atom Hawk studio should I dedicate my time to fleshing out my Motion Graphics skillset. However, it is important to note that my aspirations as a creative lay firmly in the creation of short films as well as utilizing techniques such as hand-drawn animations for commercial advertisements such as those produced by Three Motion and Arcus Animation. On the flip side, the kinds of work that Atom Hawk does produce which I would be most keen to work on is the storyboards and Animatics that they generate for film studios and game developers. My desire to work on these specific aspects for Atom Hawk are embedded in the roots that tie to my passion for the creation of Short Films and expressing narrative.
Kuro Dragon is an Animation and Motion Graphics studio based in Gateshead, the North East of England. Kuro specialize in the creation of animated narrative based content for commercial organizations and company's seeking to communicate their ideas to a broader audience. Kuro sports a range of work such as creative 2d advertisements, vivid explainer videos, and clear corporate communication videos for a plethora of clients such as Metro travel service, ITV, and the NHS. Typically, they work in 2d based software such as traditional hand-drawn animation in Animate CC and Toon Boon harmony or through motion graphics utilizing the industry standard software After Effects. However, Kuro have created many 3d animations for the goals of their clients. I personally find the animated video that Kuro created for Metro to resonate with my personal desires the most regarding content that I aspire to produce in quality and style. Due to this I have found Kuro an interesting studio to keep track off.
Similar to my interests in Arcus Animation, I find the content that Kuro Dragon has produced as part of their demonstrated portfolio resonates with my personal interests and aspirations in animation regarding commercial narrative. Not only do they offer a local opportunity for development upon graduation but they also utilize an approach that I am keen to pursue regarding my aspirations upon graduation. Throughout my development over my foundation degree I have discovered that my prime passion as a creative is to convey narrative, I feel this passion as the act, practice and process of creating and communicating visual narrative resonates with me. I believe should I pursue a potential internship or freelance contract alongside Kuro Dragon as a studio, that I will likely find a place I can grow in the next stages of my developmental journey towards been a successful industry standard creative in a way I can express with passion.
/////Companies & Industry - United Kingdom Based
Blue Zoo animation studio is one of, if not, the biggest animation studios in the United Kingdom as off 2019 and are based in London where the entire team is housed under one huge firm. At present, Blue Zoo functions as a large scale 3d production studio covering the entire spectrum of modern pipeline practice from start to finish. They work both in the entertainment and commercial advertisement industry's producing content for big brands and children's televisions shows both nationally and internationally. In late 2018 it was announced that Blue Zoo would be producing a 2d specialist firm under the ’Blue Zoo’ branding directly across the road from primary studio to account for the demand of 2d animation that is currently in high request in the market. Outlined in a blogpost on their company website, this new studio opening is expected to produce 60 new jobs in the 2d animation space as well as offering an annual 2d animation internship each summer to produce a short film. Due to the reputation of this studio as well as the vacancies available for potential in regards to future progression Blue Zoo’s new 2d animation studio provides me with a potentially life changing opportunity should I decide to pursue any avenues that open up to me.
As a student with passions firmly planted in animation pipeline and narrative communication there is a plethora of jobs and intern opportunities available due to the creation of the new 2d specialist Blue Zoo Studio being created in London. Now the cons in comparison with to North East based studios such as Arcus Animation is that is opportunity is not local and would require either moving, or working away from home for a period of time whilst I executed a potential internship. The pros in contrast to the local studios in my area is that there is a huge jump in opportunity available should I pursue this avenue as a potential source of progression upon graduation, in contrast to my local options, Blue Zoo hold a guaranteed annual internship program with high likelihood of being kept on through a full time position should I demonstrate my capabilities effectively. This essentially balances the challenge of distance with the reward of potential regarding this opportunity. Job security is another pro of potentially pursuing Blue Zoo as a studio for my progression due to working alongside many children's tv shows where long standing contracts are held leaving no shortage of workload available should hard times fall on other studios who only work in the advertisement industry.
Studio Aka is a multi-award-winning independent animation studio who are self-identified as being known for their idiosyncratic & innovative work defined across an eclectic range of projects. They produce animated commercials for big brands, creative projects for innovative ideations, as well as a children's tv show that have won a plethora of bafta awards. I originally became familiar with Studio Aka due to their children's television show ’Hey Duggie‘ which features a selection of short narratives around a dog called duggie who is a scout leader to a troop of different children animals. I was drawn to this show due to the unique application of modern animation techniques specifically utilizing motion design practices that gained traction within the commercial animation space utilizing software such as Adobe After Effects. Although I was drawn to Studio Aka due to their motion graphic influenced children's tv show, it is important to note that Studio Aka cover a broad range of animation techniques including hand drawn and 3d animation methods which are utilized within several of their commercial advertisements. I find Studio Aka as a compelling and inspiring studio to aspire to work alongside or with and I am keen to engage with their productions on a more intimate level.
Studio Aka are based within Clerkenwell, London which is not within traveling distance from my current location. In the same fashion as the Blue Zoo work scenario I would be required to temporarily or permanently travel down the country to be able to work in the flesh on Studio Aka’s production pipeline. It is important to note however should I manage to gain their attention whilst conveying myself online through social media or through my online portfolio, there may be a possibility that I could gain some progression experience from working on a project remotely as a freelance creative on one of their projects should the opportunity manifest. This however is not guaranteed and would appear to require an attention-grabbing stunt from my part. Regarding an internship opportunity at Studio Aka, I have not heard one at present and there is no position advertised. That is not to say there would not be one available should I contact them, rather that they clearly are not pursuing one within their ranks. I am confident should an opportunity regarding the collaboration of myself with the Aka team be presented to me, that by taking advantage of this situation, I would be able to grow my skillset and firsthand experience exponentially as a byproduct my proposed role.
Passion Animation Studios is a facet of the collective company ’Passion Pictures’ who were established in the early 1990s. Passion pictures is divided up into 4 defined departments each dubbed with a different title. ’Passion Picture Films’ produces live action shorts and narratives, ’Passion Planet’ produces documentaries and television shows, ’Passion Experience’ produces installations and on-site experiences, and finally ’Passion Animation Studios’ produces motion design commercials, animated shorts, and music videos. Passion Pictures as an organisation has several different onsite studios but I have confirmed that there is a Passion Animation studio based within London that could offer me a potential avenue for future progression. Due to the scale of the organisation as well as the many directors and creatives that they represent, their portfolio defines a wide range of styles and approaches meaning that all manner of production process is utilised including a wide range of software's including: Stop motion with Dragon frame software, hand-drawn animation with Adobe Animate, Adobe Photoshop, and Toon Boon, Motion graphics in Adobe After Effects, and 3d software in Cinema 4d, Blender, and Maya.
There are several different avenues that I could pursue if considering future progression with or alongside this studio such as an internship, freelance work, a full-time job, or representation as a director managing his own team direct to client. At present my passions lay within narrative based 2d animation content which still offers me access into all of these avenues for progression. I identify that one of my strengths is within thinking skills and software knowledge which leads me to lean on not needing to earn an internship but rather take a stab at directing with representation from the studio as a director. The only issue is that I do not have a large enough of a portfolio to navigate this potential direction regarding examples of directing abilities which would reduce my chances of success. Therefore, getting a foot in the door with such a thing as an internship or as a runner could offer the opportunity to form connections with the establishment whilst I develop the portfolio needed to succeed as a director within my desired projected path. It is important to note that the con of this internship is that it is based within London and therefore has little ease of access in contrast to a studio such as Arcus Animation which is based locally.
Red Knuckles identifies themselves as an independent animation studio who specialise in character animation for tv series, music videos, commercials, and feature films. I originally caught wind of Red Knuckles as an animation studio due to their direction, production, and involvement with the animated music video “Into the night” For artist and producer “Nero”. The animation style of the video clearly plays homage to the popular cyberpunk movement instigated by feature films such as Akira and Ghost in the Shell which resonate with my interests within animation as a medium. Red Knuckles are based within London in close proximity to Studio Aka who they have collaborated with in the past speaking homage to the quality and prospects of potentially working alongside or with them. Although they have several spectacular examples of 2d animation, when reviewing the studios portfolio, it appears they specialise in 3d animation over 2d. Having said this, they still have a varied degree of balance when producing 3d and 2d content regarding character animation as a medium. Aside from potentially concept development or story-boarding the 3d aspects of design do not appeal to my interests as a creative, on the flip side I resonate deeply with the 2d animated content that Red Knuckles has produced for their clients as demonstrated by their portfolio.
When considering future avenues for development I cannot help but view the current portfolio produced by the studio and use that as a frame for reference asking the question, would I like to make that? Upon reviewing many of the 2d animated pieces that Red Knuckles have produced for their clients I cannot help but resonate with the idea that I would find deep passion in working on projects to the same nature that Red Knuckles as a studio have produced. Therefore, I believe if I could potentially get in touch with Red Knuckles requesting an in person or remote internship or freelance contract that I would successfully secure an avenue for future progression that would benefit me to a marginal standard. Again, it is important to note that this opportunity also holds the risk and difficulty of not being on my doorstep and requiring a distance of travel from me to commit to any opportunity that should come my way.
/////Companies & Industry - International studios (Dream studios to work for)
Sun Creature is a project-driven international team of artists, animators, directors, and producers, that identify as being dedicated to delivering high quality content from concept to final piece. They strive for a dynamic studio atmosphere with constant movement and they aim to generate meaningful impact and a unique personal perspective to each project that will connect with their clients and audience. Through the medium of 2d animation Sun Creature as a studio seeks to communicate experiences that share compelling visions, builds community, and encourages conversation. Originally the studio was formed through the collective connection of two talented Danish graduates from the ’Animation Workshop’ and 2 talented French graduates from ’Gobelins’. Each student from each university had produced an impressive short film which form the basis for the studio's portfolio. Moving forward from there they have successfully funder 2 Kick-starter campaigns fuelling their short-film episodic series ’Tales of Alerion’ as well as working and collaborating with clients and studios such as: Coca cola, Travel Oregan, and Riot Games.
First and foremost, Sun Creature studio is based within Copenhagen meaning it would require international travel to be able to take part in any in-person role or internship which would be an expensive investment on my behalf, however the cost to reward possibilities is balanced should I be presented with such an opportunity. Sun Creature are now a well-established and respected studio not only warranting themselves a space as a dream studio to work for but also
Chromosphere
Buck.Tv
Genesis Motion Design
Rudo Company
///// Companies & Industry - Conclusion
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