New Proposal For Animation Studio In The South
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Southern Institute of Technology film tutor Patrick Gillies has just submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Culture and Heritage for a 2D/3D animation studio in Invercargill.
If successful, the initiative will employ a team of digital animators primarily sourced within the south, and offer job opportunities to graduates from SIT’s School of Screen Arts animation programme.
Purrplwurrx Studios would develop a diverse slate of high-quality children’s screen content for global audiences, over a period of 15 months.
Patrick said it would also bring international money to the local economy through series funding and residuals.
‘Kiri and Lou’ is an example of a successful animation series made in Christchurch, using hand-crafted creatures made of clay, in a forest of cut out paper. Aimed at a global audience, it had already gained much international interest.
“We need to emulate that model of success,” he said.
Patrick hoped his proposal would deliver to a global audience too, and after 15 months they would then take the new content to the Annecy International Animation Markets in June 2023 and June 2024, and the American Film Market in November 2023.
“At these markets, we hope to secure international financing that will make the studio fully self-sustainable beyond June 2024, and enable us to employ more full-time animation staff.”
Another driver of the proposal was to be able to retain animation talent in the region, as many students who graduated from the course were not utilising their new skills.
“We were getting these amazingly talented students graduating but then losing them to other industries,” he said.
Beginning his career in TV news, initially training as a cameraman and then video editor, Patrick’s screen credits include ten short films, three independent feature films, and three broadcast television comedies. Collectively, his short films have been selected for over forty international film festivals.
He has been working on ‘The Ratbaggs’ series for the past two years.
Patrick is looking for support for his new animation studio proposal, by inviting feedback from the public on the funding proposals, that can be viewed here.
The Ministry of Culture & Heritage survey is open until November 13 – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z5TY528