Welsh Animation Group [INFO]

Welsh Animation Group:

Background:
W.A.G. (Welsh Animation Group) was established as a direct result of an event held at the Welsh International Film Festival in 1999. Its aim was to bring together everybody working in animation in Wales, "to build on the creative and economic successes of animation in Wales… to promote Welsh animation both nationally and throughout the world… to lobby for economic growth and the creation of jobs in the industry, and nurture the creative talent that has already brought Welsh animation international acclaim."

In its existence, it has held regular, well attended meetings where animators can show their work, network, and voice their opinions. Guest speakers at its regular meetings include Peter Lord from Aardman, Colin Rose from the BBC Animation Unit, and Oscar winning Mikael Dudock De Wit. It has produced independently edited newsletters. It helps organise the Animation Day at the International Film Festival of Wales, helped organise the annual CARTOON FINANCE master in Cardiff. It has representation on the PACT animation subcommittee that is currently exacting concessions from Westminster.

The CARTOON FORUM, the biggest animation coproduction event in the world, took place in North Wales in 2002 because of an initiative of WAG's chairman.

WAG has successfully lobbied S4C to introduce and develop schemes for first time animated filmmakers, including the "Short Shorts" commissions. "W.A.G" has succeeded in bringing together quite diverse elements in our industry", said spokesman Robin Lyons. "We have broken down most of the barriers dividing us. There is a real feeling of community, that things are really beginning to happen."

Welsh Animation Industury:

Background:
The Welsh animation industry began with the formation of S4C in 1981, and two animation companies who could see the obvious advantages of being in Wales; Siriol and Hanner Dwsin. At its inception, the Welsh industry employed and supported approximately 40-50 individuals, and has grown to an industry employing some 146 people*. The profile has changed from a situation where virtually all commissions came from S4C, to one where a part of Welsh commissioned animation is outsourced or co-produced overseas, but where a significant amount of animation in Wales is supported by non-Welsh finance sources and commissions. The studio and producer landscape has changed, with partnerships dividing and re-forming, some of the original members leaving and new faces arriving. Today, the Welsh animation industry produces approximately 1500 minutes (25 hours) of animation per year across a wide range of programming types, including TV series, Feature Film, Computer Games, Short Films, Commercials and Web-based animation. It is estimated the total annual turnover of Welsh animation is approximately £7.5m