“Shaun the Sheep” studio is running out of dough: after one film it’s over

Studio Aardman
There’s still enough for one film – then it’s over: the “Shaun the Sheep” studio is running out of dough

Film studio Aardman captured the hearts of its fans with crazy clay creations. Now they are running out of material. But there is at least two pieces of good news for fans.

Whether it’s the over-the-top flock of sheep from “Shaun the Sheep”, the charmingly crude Wallace and cheese-loving dog Gromit, or the clever chickens from “Chicken Run”: Even if only a few people know the name of Studio Ardman – the clay figures are likely to be familiar to almost everyone be. But the decades-long success story could soon come to an abrupt end: the dough supplies are running out.

The Telegraph reports this in a detailed piece about the studio. Since its founding in the 70s, the studio has relied on the so-called for its clever animations Lewis Newplast. Invented by the art teacher of the same name, the material combines numerous advantages. It is easy to model, but retains its shape even under the hot lights of a film studio. But now it is almost used up: it closed in March Torquay the only factory in the world that manufactured the miracle material.

Gigantic clay consumption for the studio of “Shaun the Sheep”

Of course the studio prepared. The newspaper’s employees report that every single lump of Newplast that was still found in the factory’s warehouses was bought up. That’s enough for exactly one film: a new part of “Wallace and Gromit”, which should be completed by next year. If a suitable replacement for the special clay is not found, the studio’s idiosyncratic creations would be ruined.

Why this shouldn’t be so easy can be seen from a video from 2018. During a visit to the factory, Studio Aardman revealed how complex the production of the dough is. After all, Shaun the sheep’s fur has to look the same in minute 52 as it did in the first minute of the film. The clip also reveals the studio’s incredible consumption: the animators need up to half a ton of Newplast – for a single film.

Hand made

The effort required for the studio’s productions is already gigantic. Each individual image must be constructed by hand and then photographed. Then tiny changes are made – and the next photo is snapped. Even on a good day, an entertainer can manage a second of film a day. The employees revealed to the Telegraph that they worked on particularly complicated scenes for up to four and a half months – ultimately for 30 seconds in the film.

But even if the studio has to close down, fans can still look forward to two films. In addition to the new part of “Wallace and Gromit”, the studio is currently finishing the second part of its biggest success to date: “Chicken Run 2: Operation Nugget” is scheduled to come to cinemas and Netflix this year.

Sources:telegraph, Adam Savage’s Tested