PP3- Identifying 2D Generalist Studios

As uni comes to a close I need to be on the eye out for work in whatever form that may take, animation or otherwise. The nature of the industry, with the majority of work being fixed term contracts, essentially means everyone is a freelancer and the hunt for work doesn't necessarily end when you get your first job in the industry. As a 2D animation generalist I have identified several UK and Ireland based studios I feel I would benefit from collaborating with in the near future, identifying the pro's and con's for me working at each one in order to determine some sort of ideal path to work and where I am best suited to based on my skills and availability.

Arcus Animation Studio: Multidisciplinary Commercial/Creative based studio with a variety of clients.

Pros:

• Within commuting distance of home. (Based in Gateshead)
• Variety of styles I can see myself fitting into. 
• Variety of different clients.
• Have collaborated with Gas Tank Productions on TV pitch. 

Cons:

• Within commuting distance of home.
• Might need to become acquainted with Toon Boom Harmony. 

Paper Owl Films: Irish television production company based in Holyrood. Produces 'Pablo' for CBeebies.

Pros:

• Have had an internship there and it was a very good experience. 
• Small team, all in the same building. 
• Am a fan of their 'Pablo' art style.
• Already have a foot in. 
• Currently hiring in Dublin for Pablo S2.

Cons:

• Uncle works there.
• Looking for animators trained specifically in CelAction.

Sixteen South: BAFTA nominated Irish television production company based in Belfast. Has worked on childrens television.

Pros:

• Variety of eclectic art styles. 
• High profile programmes for television networks. 
• Multidisciplinary. 
• Already know a layout artist who works there. 

Cons:

• I don't live in Ireland and would have to move quite far.

Brown Bag Films: Multifaceted animation studio based in LA with studios in Dublin, Manchester as well as Toronto.

Pros:

• Produce a wide variety of 2D and 3D children's programming. 
• Wide variety of styles and types of project.
• Creates programming for big clients such as Disney and Nickelodeon. 
• Currently hiring in the UK.

Cons:

• Produce a lot of 3D work too. Might be difficult to find suitable 2D jobs. 

Factory: BAFTA nominated studio based in Manchester which works across 2D, 3D and Stop Motion.


Pros:

• Large multidisciplinary studio.
• Based in Manchester.
• A real charm and character to their output.

Cons:

• Judging by recent output, they haven't been putting out many 2D animated projects as of late. 

The Line: Commercial / Creatively focused animation studio based in London. Does everything from music videos to original content.

Pros:

• Lots of really cool 2D design work across multiple styles. 
• Small studio creating original content.
• In touch with trends in viral marketing and social media.

Cons:

• Based in London. (Very expensive to live there.)
• Judging by how cool their output is, they're probably one of the most sought after places to work. 

Boulder Media: Irish Animation company based in Dublin. One of the largest studios in Ireland which produced 'The Amazing World of Gumball' and 'Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends' and currently 'Danger Mouse' for CBBC.

Pros:

• Has worked on big projects for Cartoon Network. 
• 2D Generalist across the board. High quality content. 

Cons:

• Don't live in Ireland. (Again, would have to move quite far.)

Karrot Animation: Creators of Sarah & Duck for CBeebies. Produces 2D children's shows as well as commercial work.

Pros:

• Wide range of eclectic styles.
• Created Sarah and Duck. 
• High level of high quality 2D output. 
• Seems broadly 2D generalist. 

Cons:

• Again, based in London. (Living there would be expensive.)

Keyframe Studios: London-Based studio creating 3D animation as well as 2D motion graphics work for television and stage.

Pros:

• A large part of the studios output incorporates 2D into 3D. Mix of the two styles.
• Produces work for stage. 

Cons:

• Seems mostly focused on 3D work. (Not for me.)
• Again, based in London. (Living there would be expensive.)

Gas Tank Productions: London based studio consisting of a network of freelancers. Am working with them currently.

Pros:

• On brand with where I see myself going as a 2D practitioner.
• Variety of interesting projects. 
• Have already worked with them and they're nice people. 
• Have ideas I want to pitch to them. 
• Essentially am already working for them. 

Cons:

• Say it with me. Living in London is expensive.