We’re starting to think this James Cameron guy was onto something. Apart from the films produced by Aardman, all films after Shrek 2 and Shark Tale would be entirely CG. 1 Filmography 1.1 Feature films 1.1.1 Released films 1.1.2 Upcoming films 1.2 Television series/series of shorts 1.3 Short films 1.4 Music videos 1.5 Commercials 1.6 Idents 1.7 Apps 2 Crew 3 In Production 4 Accolades 4.1 Academy ⦠Months ⦠In 1986, Peter Gabriel suggested that they collaborate with director Stephen Johnson and the Brothers Quay to create a new rock video. The major feature films produced are: The studio has had ten Oscar® nominations, and has won four. With films like Early Bird (set in a local radio station) Aardman demonstrated that real people could be characterised with insight, humour and sensitivity. Agencies appreciate the contribution that Aardmanâs directors and creatives can make to an original idea and the company has built up an impressive client list including Chevron, BBC, Serta, Department of Health, Nike, McVities, Kellogg's, Macmillan and Cartoon Network to name a few. Steve Box, Nick Park's key animator on both The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave, directed Stage Fright. Later that year the studio partnered with Tate Museums and Legacy Trust UK on a major filmmaking project, a challenge to get children across the UK to come together and contribute ideas for an animated movie via a successful online community. One of Aardman’s best qualities is their ability to craft genuinely heartfelt stories that never devolve into cloying sentimentality. The studioâs first animated television series for youth and adults, Rex The Runt, created and directed by long time Aardman associate Richard Goleszowski, was first shown on BBC2 in 1998 and garnered many top international awards. In 1989 the studio was again commissioned by Channel Four Television to create a series of five 5-minute films, Lip Synch. While being an ignorant slob, he does know his plumbing (due to being a sewer rat). BBC Three commissioned a second series which played a major part in the channelâs launch. For over four decades, Aardman has delighted audiences with a whimsical, generous spirit that imbues all of their creative projects. Pirate Captain agrees to enter Polly into Royal Society’s competition for Best Scientific Discovery, but Darwin has more sinister plans in mind for the rare bird. Worst of all, the CG animation looks cheap and hurried, a particularly notable offense considering the studio’s stellar style record. In March 2015, an exhibition celebrating the art of Aardman opened at Art Ludique in Paris ahead, of the company celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2016. Flushed Away, the studio's first CG film was released worldwide by DreamWorks in November 2006, it was nominated for a BAFTA in 2007. The Curse of the Were-Rabbit pales in comparison to Park’s original short films, mostly because an extended Wallace and Gromit exploit lends itself to some slack pacing and dull moments. Filmography [edit | edit source] Main article: Aardman filmography. More than that, Arthur Christmas understands holiday fatigue, and how the season can bring out everyone’s dissatisfaction and fears. Already a subscriber? Directed by Sarah Smith and co-directed by Barry Cook, the film stars the voices of James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, ⦠Aardman continue to develop its attractions and live events business across the world, with an ever expanding portfolio of interactive experiences, theme parks, live shows and exhibitions in development. The trail culminated in an exhibition in September, and a thrilling auction, led by TV celebrity auctioneer Tim Wonnacott, which raised a huge £2,357,000.00 for Wallace & Gromitâs Grand Appeal and Bristolâs Childrenâs Hospital. In each episode, Shaun tries to liven up mundane farm life with low-stakes schemes that eventually spiral into farcical, slapstick situations. All rights reserved. Aardman’s flagship man-dog team make their big-screen debut in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, about Wallace and Gromit’s efforts to subdue an enormous rabbit who terrorizes Tottington Hall’s vegetable gardens in the nights leading up to their annual Giant Vegetable Competition. The studio began to expand with the founding of a brand new Digital department, a division dedicated to producing digital content and creating engaging online communities, teleporting Aardmans entertainment expertise into the virtual world. Don’t let this hidden Netflix action gem slip through the cracks this weekend. Peter and David met Nick Park at the National Film and Television School when he was working on his student film A Grand Day Out. The film received phenomenal success and reception. Production continues at the studio, with the fifth series of Shaun the Sheep in production, a half hour special Shaun the Sheep: The Farmerâs Llamas being produced for Christmas 2015 and a number of feature films projects in development. All 10 films were then shown on BBC1 over the 2002 autumn and Christmas schedule. Wallace and Gromit are still the crown jewels of Aardman and remain cultural luminaries to this day. On October 27, 1999, Aardman signed a $250 million deal with DreamWorks to create 5 films that would be completed in 12 years. Founded in 1972 by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, Aardman made its name on the success of short films for British television, as well as featured animation work in music videos like Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” and Nina Simone’s “My Baby Just Cares for Me.” The studio won its first Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 1990 for Nick Park’s Creature Comforts, which follows zoo animals being interviewed about their living conditions. The rest, as they say, is history. 1. Though a bit rudimentary and light on gags, A Grand Day Out showcased Aardman’s imaginative worldview, steeped in classical film history and influenced by a techo-modern sensibility. Log in or link your magazine subscription, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, French Actress Dons Donkey Costume, Strips Nude in César Awards Demonstration, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez Didn’t Break Up, They Just Had a Bad Friday, Dr. Fauci Tells Stephen Colbert He Can’t Go Clubbing Yet, Fiona Apple Explains Why She Won’t Be Attending the Grammys, “I’m just not made for that kind of stuff anymore.”, Every Awards Show Should Open With Kenan Thompson Singing a Song, “Let’s Go Everywhere” is the new “What Up With That?”, Kid Cudi Really Doesn’t Like What TikTok Is Doing With ‘Day ’N’ Nite’. Aardman has always embraced their home country, not just by almost exclusively employing British actors, but also in their humor — wry, self-aware, and constantly teetering on the line between silly and absurd. The two work together to bring Roddy back home and stop the evil Toad (Ian McKellen) who wants to drown the entire city because of his long-standing hatred of rodents. Shaun, Bitzer, and the rest of the flock feel out of place in their new environment, not just because they’re animals, but also because they’re used to a smaller life, one with less danger and fewer complications. As the studioâs reputation has grown both in the UK and overseas, so has the demand for its commercials, branded content and digital work. Directed by Dan Binns, Aardman has produced a series of short films, uniquely co-created with the audience it sets out to support, ensuring it has an authentic voice and is genuinely representative of the challenges to mental wellbeing faced by the demographic. Too often we hear about movies “for the whole family,” but that are really just for kids. The film will be directed by Sam Fell, from a screenplay by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell, and story by Sam Fell. Their award-winning work produces a unique brand of independent film alongside work for broadcast and advertising spots. In 2007, Aardman produced the stop-motion TV series Shaun the Sheep, a spinoff of the Wallace and Gromit franchise, starring the clever, enterprising Shaun, who first appeared in A Close Shave. Angry Kid, directed by Darren Walsh, was Aardmanâs first series released exclusively on the internet via Atomfilms.com. 1 Films 1.1 Released films 1.2 Upcoming films 1.3 Films that are in development Also in 2007 Aardman produced a US version of Creature Comforts. When a sewer rat by the name of Sid (Shane Richie) spews out of the sink, greets Roddy, and decides to stay at his house and enjoy the environment, Roddy plans to make Sid leave by taking him to the toilet and tries to convince him that it's really a "big jacuzzi". Following the success of their first collaboration, Aardman and StudioCanal have gone into production on a new film from Academy award-winner Nick Park, a prehistoric adventure titled Early Man which will be released in 2018. In April 2007, Aardman signed and in 2010 renewed a three-year deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment to finance, co-produce and distribute feature films. Its best for Aardman creators of pib and pog peter sailis Wallace And Gromit and Chicken Run with animations and from nick park stop motions play doh After over three years of painstaking work (only a single minute of film could be completed each week), DreamWorks’ then-burgeoning animation arm released Chicken Run to widespread critical acclaim. Though the plot itself is a little tired, the characterizations are compelling, especially that of Darwin as a petulant, lovestruck schlemiel, and it contains some of Aardman’s best comedy to date, including an intelligent chimpanzee who communicates in flash cards. Votes: 201 Directed by Dan Binns, Aardman has produced a series of short films, uniquely co-created with the audience it sets out to support, ensuring it has an authentic voice and is genuinely representative of the challenges to mental wellbeing faced by the demographic. Roddy St. James (Hugh Jackman) is an upper crust pet rat who makes his home in a posh Kensington flat. Aardman was founded in 1972 as a low-budget project by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, who wanted to realise their dream of producing an animated motion picture. This ground-breaking series further explored the world of animation based on true characters and real voices and included Peter Lord's War Story and Going Equipped, Barry Purves' Next, Richard Goleszowski's Ident and Nick Park's Creature Comforts, which went on to win the 1990 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015) In 2007, Aardman produced the stop-motion TV series Shaun the Sheep, a spinoff of the... 4. 10/02/2021 7:58 am. In 1993 Aardman passed another milestone with the completion of Nick Park's Oscar winning The Wrong Trousers, Aardman's first 30 minute film. Surrounding the square are the teal and green gears a⦠Aardman's humour sometimes seems dated but Grant is pleasing, the visuals are enchanting, Staunton's Queen Victoria is ⦠Every Aardman Animation Film Ranked from Worst to Best 1. But it’s Arthur’s determination to make sure no kid gets left out that reminds his whole family that Christmas, at its best, provides a tiny light on an otherwise cold, dark day. Though Early Man’s aesthetic is a welcome respite from digital’s omnipresence, and some of the caveman-related gags land beautifully (e.g. The films were also released online in the US via AtomFilms who went on to offer a subscription package for all ten. It’s up to Arthur, Santa’s grumpy, senile father (Bill Nighy), and an enthusiastic elf Briony (Ashley Jensen) to save the day using Evie, Santa’s old magic sleigh. The next year, Aardman released a new Wallace and Gromit short film, called A Matter of Loaf and Death. In a limited series for Warner Bros. Television. Our job was to create a global buzz about the film and get as many people as possible to watch it online. Service. Directed by Peter Lord and Nick Park, Chicken Run largely succeeds by doubling down on the animation style Aardman developed over two decades of short films, expanding and elevating it for the big screen. When Dreamworks SKG became Dreamworks Animation SKG, Jeffrey Katzenberg took over as head of the division. The film presents a world where Santa Claus (Jim Broadbent) employs hundreds of Christmas elves who help him command a high-tech spacecraft that delivers presents all around the world in record time. Though there’s some Anglophile-friendly material (the climax hinges on people waiting until halftime at the World Cup to use the bathroom) and there are shades of Lord’s initial pitch for a gender-reversed African Queen, it’s difficult to view Flushed Away as anything but a compromised Aardman film, a cheap attempt to contain their style so it’ll fit into the standard kid’s-movie box. Add clips to the playlist by clicking the stars. An immediate success, it confirmed the studioâs reputation as well as establishing Wallace and Gromit as household names. Interestingly enough, however, it represents Aardman’s most self-consciously British feature in their filmography. With The Pirates!, director Peter Lord combined Aardman’s traditional stop-motion with CGI for the seas and larger scenery, adding a digital sheen to their otherwise handmade Plasticine technique. We are working through some things.”, The Future Is Ours to See, Now That Kaley Cuoco Is Set to Play Doris Day. James Coburn starred in the 1967 political satire as psychotherapist to the American head of state. 1. All 10 films were then shown on BBC1 over the 2002 autumn and Christmas schedule. “, Disney Channel Picks Weird Time to Announce, Chita Rivera, André De Shields, Joel Grey, and More Did a Pop-Up Broadway Show, On Friday, March 12, Broadway performers commemorated a year of the shutdown with a show called “We Will Be Back.”. The film topped the box office charts in both the US and UK and garnered many prestigious international awards including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film and a BAFTA for Best British Film. But that same year, Park would debut a short film starring what would become Aardman’s most enduring duo: Wallace and Gromit. Aardman Animations, Ltd. (also known as Aardman Studios or simply Aardman) is a British animation studio based in Bristol, England.Aardman is known for films made using stop-motion clay animation techniques, particularly those featuring Plasticine characters Wallace and Gromit.After some experimental computer animated short films during the late 1990s, beginning with Owzat ⦠Band of Misfits! Early Man represents Nick Park’s return to feature filmmaking since The Curse of the Were-Rabbit in 2005 and his first directorial effort in over a decade. Films produced by Aardman Animations. In 1996 the studio produced Peter Lord's Oscar nominated 11 minute short film, Wat's Pig (for Channel Four) as well as a children's series based on Morph, The Morph Files. Aardman’s last film with DreamWorks underwent a troubled production and led to their split, and boy, is it the nadir of their filmography. Aardman makes films targeted for kids — but because they refuse to talk above or below their audience, they end up working for everyone. To mass critical acclaim and outstanding box office results, Wallace and Gromit's first feature film The Curse of the Were-Rabbit was released by DreamWorks in October 2005. But when the Farmer accidentally lands in the big city with an amnesia diagnosis, it’s up to Shaun and his pals to remind him of his identity and bring him back to the farm before Animal Control nabs them all. In April 2013 Aardman announced an exciting new independent filmmaking partnership with StudioCanal to create the first feature length Shaun the Sheep movie which saw a worldwide theatrical release in 2015. The world famous, four times Academy Award® winning animation studio, creators of Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Creature Comforts, Chicken Run and Morph. In the film, Wallace and Gromit travel to the moon on a cheese expedition, but when they land, they encounter an eager robot desperate to return to Earth with them. This following is a list of films produced and/or released by Aardman Animations. You\'ll receive the next newsletter in your inbox. Aardman Animations Chicken Run Chicken Run 2 is an upcoming 2021 American stop motion animated film produced by Aardman Animations in partnership with DreamWorks Pictures and Pathe. Season 13 has found its footing again with a satisfying spin on a dependable challenge and some high-stakes shake-ups. It’s only Arthur, the true believer, who never loses sight of what the season means, while the rest of his family tries to exercise their own egos. A second series was commissioned and shown on BBC2 in 2001. On June 23, 2000, Chicken Runwas released. Aardman's television series, Shaun the Sheep debuted on BBC1 and CBBC in March 2007. The films debuted on the Internet and were viewed by hundreds of thousands of people world-wide. Led by the plucky and determined Ginger (Julia Sawalha), the chickens repeatedly try to get past the farm’s high fence to no avail, but when a cocky rooster (Mel Gibson) suddenly flies into their midst, they see him as their last chance to finally break free before the whole lot is turned into pot pies. In 2009 Wallace and Gromit featured in âThe World of Cracking Ideasâ a major exhibition held at the Science Museum in London that attracted over half a million UK visitors to date. Though most Aardman productions owe debts to Chaplin and Keaton’s films, Shaun the Sheep Movie is their first feature to arguably wholesale adopt the rhythms of a silent film while still retaining the studio’s more modern sensibility. Aardman's adeptness of engaging audiences with compelling stories told through animation, has earned the company a deserved worldwide reputation. After creating a segment called "Greeblies" (1975) using clay animation, became what was the inspiration for creating Morph, a simple clay character. It’s a shame that the film suffers from a rote narrative and one-dimensional characterizations, which renders its emotional core, involving the difficulty of transcending ancestral heritage, dead on arrival. Case in point: their underrated holiday film Arthur Christmas, a story about Santa Claus’s earnest son trying to deliver one last present before Christmas morning that doubles as a portrait of generational strife.