Animated Animation

Animated Animation

Animated feature films are breaking box office records world wide and next month New Zealand film makers have an opportunity to find out what it is that is making that happen, thanks to the British Council New Zealand. How did Aardman (Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run) hit the international big time? Are New Zealand’s creators about to break into the lucrative animation feature market? In late November, the British Council New Zealand British Council New Zealand, in association with SPADA brings to New Zealand Michael Rose, the man who spearheaded UK animation studio Aardman’s success with movies like Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit., Michael Rose.

Michael will be joined by local luminaries Paul Swadel and James Cunningham to give free seminars in Wellington and Auckland looking at the past, present and future worlds in animation. He will also appear at SPADA’s conference, Small Country, Big Picture 2003 in Wellington from 22 - 24 November.

Until recently, Michael Rose headed up the feature film division of Aardman, having led the UK animation studio’s its move into feature production. He was Executive Producer of hit animated picture Chicken Run (2000) which took over $100m at the US box office, in 1995,. He was also joint Producer of Nick Park's Academy Award winning Wallace and Gromit film, A Close Shave. Michael was closely involved with the subsequent development of Wallace & Gromit into a hugely successful worldwide brand.

Michael has now teamed up with producer Martin Pope to create Magic Light Pictures, developing and producing live action and animation feature films for a worldwide, commercial audience. He continues to work with Aardman as Executive Producer of Nick Park's long awaited Wallace and Gromit feature film, scheduled for release in 2005.

Paul Atkins,Director of the British Council New Zealand, Paul Atkins, says he is thrilled delighted to be involved with Michael’s visit, which provides a fantastic opportunity to build relationships between the animation communities in the UK and New Zealand.

“Michael is’s a world leader in his field and his visit is extremely timely. His work in New Zealandhere will give local animation talent a terrific insight into the challenges – both creative and financial – of producing animated feature films in the international market. Michael He is already working on an animated feature with James Cunningham and his producer Paul Swadel and we’re sure that he will make many more connections during his time here”, he said.

Free seminars featuring Michael Rose with Paul Swadel and James Cunningham will be held as follows.

Wellington – City Gallery Cinema 4.00pm, Monday 24 November Old Public Library Building, Civic Square, Wellington

Auckland – 4.00pm, Friday 28 November Kodak Theatre, 27 Napier St Freemans Bay, Auckland

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