Aardman has signed Finnish 2D director, illustrator and animator Åsa Lucander for work in the UK.
With 10 years of industry experience working in illustration, animation and graphic design both in the U.K. and Scandinavia, Lucander has a passion for hand rendered drawings and exploring textures and mediums. She has directed commercials for TV and online, with recent clients including British Gas, Channel 4, Virgin Media and Radio 4. She has also worked with BBC’s popular Science Club, as well as directed multiple short films. Her latest short, Lost Property, is currently on the festival circuit.
“Åsa’s animations are lively and playful, with humor that is sometimes dark, yet offbeat and liberating,” said Heather Wright, EP of Aardman Animations. “She nimbly blends music, authentic dialogue, film segments, hand drawn characters and stop-framed pupped in innovative ways.”
Oscar and Emmy-Winning Composer Kris Bowers Joins Barking Owl For Advertising, Branded Content
Music, audio post and sonic branding house Barking Owl has taken on exclusive representation of Oscar and Emmy-winning composer Kris Bowers for advertising and branded content.
Bowers’ recent film scores include The Wild Robot and Bob Marley: One Love, alongside acclaimed past works such as The Color Purple (2023), King Richard and Green Book. His contributions to television are equally impressive, with scores for hit series like Bridgerton, When They See Us, Dear White People, and his Daytime Emmy Award-winning score for The Snowy Day.
In addition to his work as a composer, Bowers is a visionary director. He recently took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject for his directorial work on The Last Repair Shop. The emotionally touching short film spotlights four of the people responsible for repairing the musical instruments used by students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The Last Repair Shop reflects the positive influence that musical instruments have on the youngsters who play them, and the adults in the LAUSD free repair service who keep them working and in tune.
Barking Owl CEO Kirkland Alexander Lynch said of Bowers, “His artistry, diversity of style and depth of storytelling bring an unparalleled edge to the work we create for global brands. His presence on our roster reflects our continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound and music in advertising.”
Johanna Cranitch, creative director, Barking Owl, added, “Kris first caught my attention when he released his record ‘Heroes + Misfits’ where he fused together his jazz sensibility with a deeply ingrained aptitude for melody, so beautifully.... Read More