Animation studios join forces to shake up the industry in the South of England; with two greenlit projects and commitment to flexible work models born from the pandemic, the joint venture hopes to spark new regional opportunities and growth in animation.
Blue Zoo and Plug-In Media are teaming up in a joint venture to produce animation and innovative new content. Winner of a Daytime Emmy for The Adventures of Paddington, Blue Zoo has experienced significant growth over the past year that has seen its staff double. The two companies are no strangers; Blue Zoo has collaborated with the Brighton-based Plug-In Media, creator of multi-platform content, since 2010.
The new partnership has kicked off with the greenlight of two preschool series that includes the commission of a 52-episode 2D preschool action-comedy series for a major public broadcaster. The show, which goes into production later this summer, brings the promise of new jobs and widening of the animation talent pool in the South of England.
Committed to a new working model that is inclusive of both remote and in-studio production, Blue Zoo has expanded out of London and is offering roles across a regional spread, providing staff increased flexibility. Blue Zoo and Plug-In Media aim to strengthen the UK animation industry, while furthering new models of hybrid work pipelines that were born out of the pandemic.
“Blue Zoo has been talking about creating regional hubs for a while,” commented Blue Zoo co-founder Adam Shaw. “When the opportunity arose to build a studio with our admired friends at Plug-In in Brighton, we leapt on it. The next step is to grow the studio, so if you are a talented creative working in either 2D or 3D animation, want to live in the Brighton area and start this incredible journey with us, get in touch.”
“Plug-In Media is thrilled to be working more closely with Blue Zoo as well as to widen opportunities for animation professionals in the South of England,” said Plug-In Media CEO and owner Juliet Tzabar. “The partnership between our companies is founded on shared values, and the opportunity to build on our combined strengths in long-form, short-form, and interactive children’s production, is one that we’re super excited about, and which we hope will take the South Coast by storm!”
Source: Blue Zoo
