• Hey everyone, staff have documented a list of banned content and subject matter that we feel are not consistent with site values, and don't make sense to host discussion of on Famiboards. This list (and the relevant reasoning per item) is viewable here.
  • Do you have audio editing experience and want to help out with the Famiboards Discussion Club Podcast? If so, we're looking for help and would love to have you on the team! Just let us know in the Podcast Thread if you are interested!

Film BREAKING: in a major blow to the UK's contributions to pop culture, Aardman Films (Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep.) is running out of clay

Reader mode
Krvavi Abadas

Krvavi Abadas

Mr. Archivist
Pronouns
He/They


Ever since its founding in the early 1970s, Aardman has moulded its characters from Lewis Newplast – a modelling material named after one Mr Lewis, an art teacher from Chislehurst who concocted the stuff in his garden shed.

This Plasticine-like substance is an animator's dream: it's easy to mould, yet keeps its shape under hot studio lights. But in March this year, the only factory that made it, on the outskirts of Torquay, shut up shop. When its closure was announced, Aardman bought up every last block of Lewis Newplast that remained in the warehouse – enough for just one more film: the new Wallace & Gromit, coming in 2024. After that, until a suitable replacement can be found, or invented, that's it.
Click to expand...

truly devastating news. Wallace & Gromit are iconic characters, and losing out on their animation style is a big loss to claymation as a whole.
Aardman could switch to 2D or 3D CGI animation (which was previously done with Telltale's video game adaption.) but some of the magic would be gone.
 
While they've obviously thought about it, I wonder how feasible it is for them to get the formula for production from the original manufacturer and either set up in house production or have it licensed to another manufacturer.
 
This is like how they are running out of the material to make curling stones, only more immediate.
 
0
I'm sure a suitable replacement material could be found, the bigger question is cost.
 
0
couldn't they buy the company and keep them manufacturing the special clay perhaps on a smaller scale if they're shutting down?
 
0
I hope they can keep going with it (or find a suitable replacement). Their work is iconic and something would definitely be lost if they had to move to something like CGI.

Their statement is reassuring. Wouldn't exactly put it past a rag like the Telegraph to turn 'temporary supply issue that is being actively worked on in the background' into 'Aardman have enough clay for ONE MORE FILM!?!'.
 
Reader mode
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top Bottom