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U.K. Studio Points the Finger at U.S. for Animation Crisis

Nov 7, 2011  •  Post A Comment

The head of TV for beloved British animation studio Aardman, which created "Wallace and Gromit," “Creature Comforts” and "Shaun the Sheep," is blaming "cheap American products" for an animation crisis, reports the BBC.

Miles Bullough said the U.K.’s animation industry is in "crisis," with British shows losing out to cheaper competition, and says Aardman may have to shift production overseas because it has become too expensive, the story says.

He pointed at the recent purchase of HIT, a children’s animation studio behind "Bob the Builder," by U.S. toy company Mattel, the piece adds.

"Do we want to see Bob the Builder driving on the right-hand side of the road? That is what will happen if we don’t watch out," Bullough said. "And do you want our children thinking that the emergency services number is 911? If we let cheap American products come into the country we are selling our children short."

One Comment

  1. Aardman does fantastic animation. I am an American and a big fan of Wallace and Gromet, Shaun and all the other Aardman characters. I have all their films on DVD or Blu-ray, and pick up every Shaun DVD as soon as it’s available.
    However, considering the number of Aardman fans in the U.S., his statement is very offensive and surprisingly (coming from a representative of Aardman) indicates a degree of snobbish cluelessness. If he’s looking for cheap animation, he’s a continent off.
    And, FWIW, Bob the Builder is clearly produced with a degree of quality and professionalism that rivals Aardman’s television work.
    I can only hope that a authorized Aardman spokesperson will soon repudiate his thoughtless comments.

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