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Creature Comfort's Commissioned

Channel Four commission Aardman to produce the Lip Synch series of five films including the classic ‘Creature Comforts’ that earned Nick Park his first Oscar.

1989
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Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Canadian born animation master Richard Williams directs the animation for the hugely successful ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?’ Williams credits Bob Godfrey for helping him get started in England. It takes Williams almost 40 years to finish his magnum opus ‘The Thief and the Cobbler’.

1988
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Passion Pictures Produces High End Animations

Andrew Ruhemann establishes Passion Pictures in London – a high end production studio producing numerous projects including the long running tv commercial campaign ‘Compare the Market.com’, ‘Gorillaz’ and the Academy award winning short ‘The Lost Thing’.

1987
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The Black Dog

Alison De Vere produces ‘The Black Dog’ widely regarded as her best work.

1987
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Girl's Night Out wins big at Annecy

Joanna Quinn’s hilarious ‘Girls Night Out’ funded by Middlesex Polytechnic/Channel Four and S4C goes on to win top prizes at the Annecy International Animation Festival. Quinn’s outstanding drawing skills, humour and strong female characters make her one of Britain’s premier animators.

1986
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Sledgehammer Animated Music Video is an Award winning Collobration

Peter Gabriel’s ‘Sledgehammer’ was quickly produced in two weeks at Aardman with a large collaboration of animators. It went on to win dozens of awards and is one of the most successful music videos ever made.

1986
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Quay Brothers release Street of Crocodiles

the American born Quay brothers (Timothy and Stephen) produce their unconventional film ‘Street of Crocodiles’ widely considered to be a classic ‘ethereal gothic’ short film that won many film awards. The Quay’s also contributed to Peter Gabriel’s music video ‘Sledgehammer’ around the same time.

1986
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When the Wind Blows

The British nuclear disaster feature film ‘When the Wind Blows’ is released. It was directed by Jimmy Murakami and produced by John Coates at TVC London.

1986
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A Productions is Formed

A Productions in Bristol is formed and goes on to produce a variety of children’s television work.

1985
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Trap Door

he plasticine creatures of ‘The Trap Door’ series by Charlie Mills, Terry Brain (CMTB Animation) and Steve Box is first shown on ITV and gains a huge cult following.

1984
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Dreamland Express

David Anderson wins a BAFTA for ‘Dreamland Express’.

1983
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The Snowman Arrives

The television short film ‘The Snowman’ produced by John Coates (TVC London), was released featuring the popular flying snowman sequence to the song ‘Walking in the Air’ (by Howard Blake).

1982
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The Launch of S4C launches Welsh Animation

S4C was borne from a grassroots movement led by Welsh-language activists. The movement to enhance the scope of the Welsh language began in 1962, but the specific aim to have broadcasting channels in Welsh took hold in the 1970s. The funding that came with it that opened the floodgates for Welsh animation.

1982 Onwards
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The Arrival of Channel 4

Channel Four and S4C in Wales are launched. Channel Four soon employs Clare Kitson as Commissioning Editor for animation. In the 10 years from 1989 – 1999 Clare helps produce one of the most successful periods in British animation history. Many successful short films and commercials were made for Channel Four during this time. S4C go on to make the hit ‘Super Ted’ along with other successful animation projects.

1982
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Rupert and the Frog Song

Paul McCartney recruits Geoff Dunbar to direct ‘Rupert and the Frog Song’ and begins a creative relationship lasting over 30 years

1981