Multi award-winning, London-based animation studio Lupus Films has teamed up with training provider the JGA Group to deliver a special training scheme aimed at attracting new talent into the animation industry. The scheme was supported by The JGA Group as part of ‘Creativity Squared’, an initiative to help Londoners, particularly those who are currently out of work, to gain industry relevant skills to help them move into jobs in the creative sector.
Held at Lupus Films’ Islington studio, the scheme saw eleven entry level animators take part in an intensive ten-day training course in 2D assistant animation. Led by Head of Assistant Animation, Denise Dean, the trainees were guided in the principles of keying and inbetweening shots, as well as artworking, using rough animation from Lupus Films’ award-winning production The Tiger Who Came to Tea. The training also included a session of life drawing at North London’s Candid Arts space to help the trainees brush up their anatomical drawing skills.
Five of the animators have now been taken on to work as assistant animators and members of the artwork team on Lupus Films’ exciting new hand-drawn animated special for Channel 4 Mog’s Christmas, based on the picture book by Judith Kerr published by HarperCollins Children’s Book.
The 11 trainees were selected from a call out to recent animation graduates from Middlesex University, Central Saint Martins, London College of Communication, Goldsmiths College and University for the Creative Arts. Whilst all London based, they hailed from China, Portugal and Hong Kong, as well as the U.K.
“It can be exceptionally difficult to get your first break in the animation industry so we are delighted to offer these talented newcomers the opportunity to do just that,” said Abigail Addison, Training and Development Producer, Lupus Films. “The training not only allowed them to brush up on their technical skills but also equipped them with the tools to work on a busy production which they are now putting to great use on Mog’s Christmas.”
Richard Goodwin, MD at The JGA Group, added, “A big thank you is due to the West London Film and Television Skills Hub for making this collaboration possible. It has been great supporting Londoners to upskill into their dream careers in animation and we look forward to helping many more in coming years.”
Lupus Films’ latest hand-drawn animated special, Mog’s Christmas was commissioned by Gwawr Lloyd, Drama Commissioning Editor and Caroline Hollick, Head of Drama at Channel 4 and produced by studio founders Camilla Deakin and Ruth Fielding together with executive producers Juliet Matthews at HarperCollins Children’s Books, Judith Kerr’s children Tacy and Matthew Kneale and Ann-Janine Murtagh.
The film is directed by Robin Shaw (director, The Tiger Who Came to Tea; co-director, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt; asst. director, The Snowman and The Snowdog) and written by Joanna Harrison (adaption, The Tiger Who Came to Tea; co-director, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt; co-writer/art director, The Snowman and The Snowdog).
