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Aardman have made a rare move and actively advised the Government in how to act. They urge them to be careful with taxes and not to make life even more difficult for animators and professionals who could be lured away to better jobs abroad.
Joining forces with other animations like HIT Entertainment they have written to the Telegraph and pick on some of the best known British animations – from Wallace and Gromit to Bob the Builder –making the bold statement that British-made films could be killed off if people are forced to move abroad.
We hear arguments about losing bankers and big business-people regularly, but this is indeed a situation we should keep a close eye on.
Even if it doesn’t get through to the Government, at the very least it should ring in the ears of fans of the companies who, when the time comes, must help make the correct decision using their votes. Feel free to leave comments here too.
The original letter:
SIR – The English animation industry is at a tipping point: it either survives or dies.
Thomas and Friends, Bob the Builder, Noddy and Wallace & Gromit are all programmes that have turned England into a recognised centre for animation. However, within a matter of years, we will not be producing any such fantastic properties as a result of tax breaks and government incentives in other countries.
As a group of broadcasters, production companies and animators, we are calling for the Government to put English animation on a level playing field with the rest of the world. We must remain competitive and change must come soon, before talent leaks abroad, taking the industry with it.
The Government spends millions on educating some of the best talent the industry has, only for them to ply their trade abroad, lured away by the promise of jobs. Animation has contributed millions to the British economy. As an industry that has a heritage that we can be proud of, it would be unforgivable for it to disappear from England.
The Government has the ability to save the industry. It has already put in place a system to support film-making; it can do the same for animation. We hope that come 2012, the year of the Cultural Olympiad, we still have an animation industry we can be proud of.
Oli Hyatt
Founder, Blue Zoo Productions
Gregg Lynn
Managing Director, Chapman Entertainment
Howard Litton
Managing Director, Nickelodeon UK
Miles Bullough
Head of Broadcast, Aardman Animations
Jeff Dunn
CEO, HIT Entertainment
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