Aardman: An Epic Journey

The multiple Oscar winners have also brought out some of the biggest animation films in recent decades such as Chicken Run , Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists and Arthur Christmas . Coinciding with their new blockbuster EARLY MAN starring Eddy Redmayne . But how did Peter Lord and David Sproxton grow the company from such humble beginnings to their world-class studio in Bristol ? How did they develop their unique style of animating clay? How did they meet the brilliant Nick Park ? And how on earth did they conquer Hollywood ? This is the intimate, revealing, fascinating and funny behind-the-scenes story of Aardman Animations , told in their own words by Peter Lord, David Sproxton, Nick Park and Richard Starzak . THE STORY INCLUDES: TURNING POINTS: Key moments that changed the company's future forever e.g. Pitching Chicken Run to Steven Spielberg , the Sledgehammer video , going to speak at Nick's film school. THE LOW POINTS: How Aardman was forced to pull production on a film called The Tortoise and The Hare which almost destroyed the company's reputation forever. HILARIOUS descriptions of tough early days when there was no money at all. E.g. a year spent penniless in Malton eating nothing but lentils. THRILLING MOMENTS: We get a rare glimpse into the heart of the Hollywood beast through the eyes of Nick Park as he bags his first Oscar . STARS: What is it really like to work with Mel Gibson, Sir Ian McKellen or Hugh Jackman ? And why did Julia Sawalha get stopped by Canadian customs? GETTING FIRED... A devastating account of the cruel and ruthless world of Hollywood INSIGHTS into how to run a multi-million pound business by two men who both freely admit they are not at all 'business minded'.