New animation provides new entrants with first taste of production

Image: © KENSUKE’S KINGDOM LIMITED, MELUSINE PRODUCTIONS S.A., LE PACTE, BFI, FFILM CYMRU WALES CBC 2023

Animated feature film Kensuke’s Kingdom receives a nationwide cinema release this week. The acclaimed production, already a winner at both the British Animation Awards and Annecy Film Festival, tells the story of a young boy as he adjusts to life on a deserted island.

By contributing to the Animation Skills Fund it also acts as an example of how ScreenSkills works with industry to support the workforce by investing in training opportunities for those across the UK looking to join or progress within a career in animation.

One such initiative is flagship new entrant programme, Animation Trainee Finder, which offers tailored training and a paid production placement to candidates taking the first steps of their screen career. During its production Kensuke’s Kingdom welcomed two trainees from the programme onto set, providing a vital hands-on experience to entry level candidates.

Production shot from Kensuke's Kingdom of boy in shorts overlooking a mountain range at sunset
Image: Kensuke's Kingdom © 2022 Melusine Productions S.A. Le Pacte

Adam Jackson-Nocher is the Head of Production of the film’s production company, Lupus Films. He said: “We were delighted to continue our long-standing collaboration with ScreenSkills during our recent animated feature film Kensuke's Kingdom. We had the pleasure of working with two of ScreenSkills' talented Trainee Finder cohort, both of whom went on to secure full-time roles on the production following their successful training placements. Eilidh subsequently re-joined Lupus Films in the Artworking department, while Ashleigh remains a full-time Lupus Films employee working across several productions. ScreenSkills Trainee Finder is an invaluable resource for UK film productions and we look forward to continuing our hugely successful relationship in years to come.”

Ashleigh Pearce received a 24 week-placement as an accounts trainee on the production via the Trainee Finder programme and has since become an assistant production accountant at Lupus Films. She said: “It's difficult to summarise an experience that so vastly enriched my career. I got to work on a project that provided intellectual stimulation, work with a wonderful team that gave constant support, and gained an abundance of industry knowledge. I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity that ScreenSkills and Lupus Films gave me, and more proud that my name is now attached to such a beautiful film.”

Image: Eilidh Nicoll

Fellow trainee Eilidh Nicoll was a 2D Animator Trainee on Kensuke’s Kingdom. She said: “As part of ScreenSkills’ Animation Trainee Finder, I was lucky enough to secure a role on Kensuke’s Kingdom as a 2DFX animator. I couldn’t have asked for a better first industry job – everyone on the production was a delight to work alongside and I felt truly supported, in particular by Sim Marriot, the head of 2DFX, who was so generous with his time and knowledge. I learnt so much – both practically, in terms of animating physics and using TV Paint, and more generally about the production pipeline and process of making an animated feature film. It was such a joy to watch the film come to life and play a part in its creation!”

If you’d like to learn about how your production can get involved contact matt.brothers@screenskills.com

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