Clare Kitson

British animation: the Channel 4 factor

Encounters celebrates a slice of British animation history with a lively launch of ‘British Animation: The Channel 4 Factor'.

The success of Channel 4's animation in the 80s and 90s was a case of right place, right time. As former commissioner of animation, Clare Kitson told a packed house at Encounters, the collision of the station's remit with state funding, available advertising revenue and an abundance of talent resulted in an innovation explosion. The era crucially coincided with a public appetite for new animation and saw the discovery of today's popular favourites such as Aardman's War Story and Dianne Jackson's The Snowman. It also resulted in an armful of awards and a reputation of championing animation that the channel retains to this day.

But the television landscape has changed drastically since Kitson departed in 1999, leaving behind a ten-year legacy that is now looked on as a golden era of TV innovation. And with the economic climate once again facing a downturn, what does the future hold for animators?

While Kitson was realistic about times being rough, and formats such as sitcoms just not being feasible at the moment, she was optimistic about the survival of true talent. She also said that flexibility is key to honing those survival instincts, ensuring that even the most adverse of circumstances can offer up opportunities. For example, new funding streams are emerging from unlikely commercial sources and animation is thriving in new formats such as gaming and mobile phones.

And Kitson's legacy goes on, with Channel 4 continuing its quest to support new animation talent. New commissioning editor, Jan Younghusband, was in the audience to give the Encounters delegates her views and updates on the new platforms such as 4MATION TV. This new site offers film makers the chance to upload their clips for feedback and reaction from viewers, including talent scouts at Channel 4 and Aardman.

See www.4mations.tv

Animators are staying tuned!