DreamWorks SKG, the company behind "The Prince Of Egypt," and distributor
of PDI's "Antz," has expressed their pleasure with England-based Aardman
Animations' forthcoming feature "Chicken Run," by signing the Peter
Lord/David Sproxton/Nick Park company to a four feature deal. Set to be
released June 23, 2000 in the US, "Chicken Run" is a stop-motion animated
comedy feature about two chickens, Rocky and Ginger, and their attempt at a
"prisoner of war"-type escape from a farm in the 1950s. The film is
currently in production in Bristol, England, under the direction of Aardman
co-founder Peter Lord ("Adam," "What's Pig") and three time Oscar winning
director Nick Park ("Creature Comforts," "The Wrong Trousers"). DreamWorks
SKG signed on to co-finance, and distribute "Chicken Run" in the U.S. and
most international territories outside of Europe. In addition, DreamWorks
will be the exclusive worldwide licensing and merchandising rights holder
for the film. The other co-financier, French company Pathe, which has been
involved in the production since it went into development at Aardman over
two years ago, will distribute the film in Europe.
Aardman's four feature deal, while groundbreaking, is no surprise. It is the result of careful business development and continuous success. In
addition to the tireless persistence of DreamWorks' Katzenberg, Aardman was
wooed by the likes of Warner Bros., Disney and Fox for distribution rights
to the debut feature film, but they have been very cautious in finding the
right U.S. partner. A model company, Aardman has amassed an impressive
series of nominations and awards for its amazing collection of clay
animation shorts, including three Oscars for Nick Park, as well as an Emmy
Award, and the Judge's Award for the studio's "eclectic and original" work
at the Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards in London. Legendary
characters like Wallace and Gromit have made so many novices realize that
animation is more than 'cartoons' that we should give them an award for
"best contribution to the discovery of animation as a multi-faceted art!"
Read Wendy Jackson's interview with Aardman's Peter Lord in the
May 1997 issue of Animation World Magazine.
Jerry Beck reviewed
"Creating 3-D Animation: The Aardman Book Of
Filmmaking" in the February 1999 issue of Animation World Magazine.
Andrew Osmond wrote about animation companies in Bristol for the
February 1999 issue of Animation World Magazine.
The video
"Creature Comforts, An Aardman Collection," is available for sale in the AWN Store for $US 14.98. Available for sale in US only.
