Creative Skillset have joined up with us to run our annual Animation Industry Event and we’ve got all manner of topics being covered, by special guests from a wide range of very different areas. Each of them are ready to impart their knowledge and answer your questions in four carefully chosen panel sessions. For anyone working in the industry, thinking of working in the industry or just plain curious these four sessions are indispensable. The following event will be chaired by Saint John Walker, Creative Skillset.
Read Saint John Walker’s blog entry about this event here
This last year the animation industry got its wish – tax breaks and incentives to help our industry compete on the world stage. This year is year zero for the new scheme, which went live in April. What’s the progress? How are they affecting skills and culture? Are we tooling up, and how? Have we got the skills we need to make sure the industry grows?
In last year’s panel we looked forward to what tax breaks would do for the industry- and now we bring some of the key players back to tell us how things are going, how we are tooling up, and what we can expect over the next few years. Are there signs of a renaissance so soon? How are companies adapting? Are Universities ready to meet demand? What about VFX and Games? If you want a stake in animations future it might be worth hearing what they have to say….
At Barbican book tickets
Confirmed Panelists
Oli Hyatt – Managing Director at Blue-Zoo Productions
Oli Hyatt is the Co-Founder and Head of Development at one of the UK’s leading animation studios; Blue-Zoo, where he has created a number of BAFTA award-winning and nominated shows. He is also the Chairman of Animation UK the group that originally played a central role in lobbying the government to introduce tax breaks to the UK, allowing the industry to compete on a level playing field with the rest of the world.
www.blue-zoo.co.uk
Gary Thomas – Associate Director at Animate Projects, Film Adviser at British Council
Gary Thomas works in the British Council’s film team, leading on animation and experimental film, and overseeing projects in East Asia and China. When not at the British Council, he is producing and curating at Animate Projects, the arts charity that explores and champions artists’ animation, supporting the production, exhibition and development of this artistic field. Animate Projects supports artists to make new work and to develop their practice, often presenting experimental animation online and on digital platforms. They commission cross-platform projects with international partners to present work in other media, including broadcast, cinema and gallery. He also coordinates the advocacy network Animation Alliance UK
www.animateprojects.co.uk
Tony Collingwood – Director at Collingwood O’Hare Productions
Tony Collingwood produced his debut film RARG in 1988 and has gone on to adapt and direct numerous animated television series and specials for children. His credit list includes The King’s Beard, Eddy & the Bear and Dr Suess’ Daisy Head-Mayzie, and high profile series including The Beano’s Dennis & Gnasher, Oscar’s Orchestra, Yoko! Jakamoko! Toto! and The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! Tony has won 6 BAFTAs across the writing and direction categories.
www.collingwoodandco.co.uk
Tim Searle – Director and Producer at Baby Cow Animation
Tim Searle’s award winning animation production skills combine with the comedy talents of Steve Coogan and Henry Normal at Baby Cow Animation. They produce cutting edge animation including Horrible Histories, and a major series for the BBC entitled I am not an Animal (written by BAFTA award winner Peter Baynham) as well as work for Alan Partridge, John Bishop, Dara O’Briain and Lee Evans. Tim is also a board member of Animation UK, the group who successfully lobbied government for a UK Tax break. Before that Tim was Managing Director of Triffic Films, probably most famed for the Have I Got News for You titles over the years.
www.babycow.co.uk
Other LIAF Animation Industry Events
Bit-Players – Is Coding Creative?
Living Long & Prospering in Animation
The Importance of Sound in Animation
