blue zoo

Part three of our in-depth series on Blue Zoo focuses on animating for storytelling amidst the realities of production at an animation studio

Animation is storytelling, from character rigging to a simple walk cycle and the most explosive of action, everything in animation helps to tell a story. Nowhere is this more true than at Blue Zoo. If you’ve been following 3D World’s in-depth series on the UK animation studio you’ll know that story is at the heart of everything they do. In this third installment of our Blue Zoo series, we’ll be diving into the animation process, with a focus on the studio’s long-form children’s series. We sat down with directors to find out how popular shows like Pip And Posy, The Adventures Of Paddington, Go Jetters and Digby Dragon are animated, as well as how the team overcomes the numerous hurdles involved in production.

THE ANIMATION PROCESS

Matt Tea is the series director of Pip And Posy, Blue Zoo’s animated series for three to five-year-olds based on the popular series of picture books by Axel Scheffler and Camilla Reid. Having joined Blue Zoo as an animator in 2007 and worked on shows like Digby Dragon and Go Jetters, Tea is perfectly placed to discuss animation, storytelling and the various challenges they present. “My main role is a problem solver,” he explains to 3D World. “Everyone is so capable. They bring their skills and talents to every department they work in. My main job is to steer the show.”

PLAN OF ANIMATION MATT TEA, DIRECTOR OF PIP AND POSY AND EXPERIENCED BLUE ZOO ANIMATOR, SHARES HIS ADVICE FOR ANIMATED STORYTELLING