Member Article

40 jobs created as Brown Bag Films sets up a UK animation studio in Manchester

Dublin-based animation company, Brown Bag Films, have taken more than 2,800 sq ft of space for their UK animation studio at The Sharp Project, Manchester’s digital content production complex, in Newton Heath, east Manchester.

The animation studio will initially have 40 staff based in their Manchester studio by January 2015.

The Manchester studio will build on Brown Bag Films’ track record by implementing a long form 2D animation pipeline using Toon Boom Harmony and Storyboard Pro software throughout and expanding their current output of animation production to the North West of the UK.

Having decided to move to the city, Brown Bag Films very much appreciated the welcome and support given by both MIDAS and The Sharp Project.

This is Brown Bag Films third studio, with the others located in Dublin and Los Angeles.

The firm, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, have produced some of children’s most popular TV shows including Doc McStuffins, Henry Hugglemonster, Peter Rabbit, Olivia, Noddy in Toyland and Octonauts.

Their most recent co-production with Acamar Films is Bing, a pre-school series for CBeebies, which premiered in June this year.

Brown Bag Films CEO, Cathal Gaffney, said “As we celebrate our 20th year in business this year, there is no better way to celebrate than by expanding and opening a new studio in Manchester.

“We are very excited to get back to our hand-drawn animation roots with this 2D studio and Manchester is such a brilliant and vibrant city with so much talent to offer.

“As we grow, we hope to have as many as 40 full time jobs in the new year.”

Founder of The Sharp Project Susan Woodward OBE said “This is a great win for the North West.

“Brown Bag is an exciting, original and successful creative-led animation studio.

“Manchester has a long history with animation production and there is little doubt that played a major part in choosing this city for their UK studio.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .