"If there is no change, the UK’s animation sector is likely to continue to contract. More players will exit the business, and the survivors will gradually do a diminishing number of projects," according to a new report on the state of the British animation industry and the case for its support by Animation UK.
Animation UK was formed in 2010 to represent the UKs animation industry. They campaign for fairer trading conditions for UK animators and to help protect or increase the ownership if IP. Its aim is to work with the Government to get the best possible trading conditions for UK producers.
‘Securing the Future of UK Animation’, written by Robert Kennedy and Tom Broughton, can be downloaded online, and analyses the animation industry in the UK and abroad, attempting to find a way to make British animation thrive in an ever growing market. The report suggests that the current funding available for UK animators has to come from a wide range of sources ranging from domestic broadcasters to family and friends. Producers can access funds from the EU but these are held for a wide genre of media and not specifically for animation.
According to the report, other countries offer greater funding options for animation projects; France operating a range of national and regional support, the most important being the CNC (Centre National de la Cinematographie). Animation UK’s report notes that the French Government distribute funds through a wide variety of programmes, which in 2010 provided €29.5m for French animation projects. In addition to CNC there is also a tax break for investors and production companies to encourage investment. The report found that “as a result of the support offered, the volume of animated content produced in France has increased considerably over the last 20 years”.
The report suggests that opportunities such as those in France have encouraged British talent to travel overseas. Animation UK found that 76% of animators surveyed said that they were currently, or had considered moving overseas for work.
Animation UK are therefore proposing that an approach similar to the French system is introduced to the UK. They argue that this will stop home-grown talent moving abroad and encourage investors to use British animators in their projects.
There is already a well-established animation sector in the UK and it is an important part of the creative industries. Not only does it involve blockbuster movies, it also helps the retail market with books and DVDs. UK talent is known worldwide thanks to the creators of Wallace & Gromit and Thomas & Friends, to name a few. Animation
UK suggests that this is a good basis for Government investment as it is already an established industry.
At the moment, the UK does not have any funding supporting TV animation specifically, although the UK Government provide one pot of money for all types of media and film creation.
Mark Field MP (Con) is backing British animators in their plea, “Our animators have never wanted hand-outs. They are confident that they have the skill, flair and ideas to attract work. Nor do they argue against the free market. The problem lies in the fact that at the moment the market is far from free. The government has been consistent in espousing its support for the creative industries. Here is an opportunity to turn a sympathetic ear into a lasting difference for British animators. Their case now deserves a thorough hearing.”
The full report can be found on the Animation UK website.
Do you think there should be greater state support for the animation industry? If so, what support would help you out as an animator, or your business? Leave your thoughts in the Comments below.