Introducing…Kate Ellis

As we welcome in the new year, we also welcome a new producer to our production team…introducing Kate Ellis!

Picasso Pictures: Welcome to Picasso Kate! So where are you from?

Kate Ellis: Born and bred in South London

PP: How did you get into the Animation Industry?

KE: My parents took me to see Monsters Inc when I was still at school and in the usual Pixar fashion the short “For the Birds” was played beforehand. I clearly remember telling my parents that was what I wanted to do and my love of CG and animation grew from there.

A young Kate hugging cat after watching Pixar.

Later I took an Foundation Art course where I pretty much spent the year building small sculptures out of plaster & balloons and turning them into flick books.  I followed that up with a Digital Animation degree at Hertfordshire University and I’ve been really very lucky since graduating to have worked in various areas of the animation industry and have met some incredible and hugely influential people along the way.

PP: What do you consider important traits for a good producer?

KE: Personally I am hugely grateful that I understand the 3D technical side to animation having studied animation at uni, so I can fully appreciate when something unexpected crops up. It also allows me to help problem solve and find a solution and therefore empathise with directors or artists. I want them to feel my support, and that I’m not just that evil producer standing over their shoulders cracking the whip chasing for work.

Organised / Evil Producer from an early age.

PP: What aspect of producing do you love the most?

KE: I love love love being part of the story telling process from start to finish. Seeing an animation grow from a few scamps that started life on a piece of paper through to a beautifully crafted piece of animation is immensely satisfying. Seeing those creative ideas on a big screen is even better.

PP: What is your production weapon of choice?

KE: Haribo. They bring a smile to everyone’s face no matter what.

Kate's production weapon of choice: Haribo.

PP: Why Picasso as your next adventure?

KE: I’ve been stalking Picasso (in a non weirdo way) for years, and having come from a Previs animation company before it seemed a natural progression to move on to produce higher end spots for broadcast. I’m hugely excited to be part of a very dedicated team that appear to love what they do and who want to have a good time at the same time

PP: What do you like to get up to when you're not working?

KE: I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie and am happiest outside & running around causing mischief. Being cooped up indoors is not always my idea of fun, however, skiing and other fun silly sports need to be paid for so here I am working in London. I’m assuming cake, chocolate and wine count as a hobby too?

Adrenaline Junkie Kate

PP: You haven’t decorated your desk yet – have you got plans for your corner?

KE: Give it time!!!  My home & nesting place here at Picasso will take shape in the coming weeks.

PP:  Tell us your best joke.

KE:  How do you get Pikachu on a bus…?

         …Pokémon

PP: Tell us a secret.
KE:  I have become hugely dyslexic when it comes to telling my lefts from my rights! Test me out!

2013 in a nutshell!

We selected a few of the great projects and people that made 2013 such a great one, hope you enjoy!

We launched two exciting new divisions; The Pod and The Playroom. The Pod is where we nurture new directing talent and The Playroom is where we showcase our interactive art projects. Check out Nuformer's Interactive Window!

The year started off with The Penny Sale and ended on Snail Gel! We are very proud of our prolific and ongoing campaign for Holland & Barrett with Pod director Steven Lenton, with more to come in 2014.

Aakash Nihalani joined our roster this summer and created an exhibit at Picasso HQ - hence the fantastic tape art evident all over our building. (We are never repainting!)

Remy Dupont directed his first commercial for Goodwill with Saatchi NYC. A charming charity spot encouraging everyone to donate their 'stuff'.

Graphic Artist Si Scott joined The Pod, looking to expand his talents further into the moving image arena.

Iria Lopez joined The Pod with her award winning film Jamon and her beautiful illustrations, from which Picasso exhibited her 'People on the Tube' series.

Peter Vaçz's charming film Rabbit & Deer has won over 30 awards worldwide in the last 12 months. Peter's film magically fuses stop motion and 2D animation and has enchanted audiences worldwide.

We also travelled quite a bit this year;  The Saline Project directed and animated a fun campaign for Panda Express in NYC and LA.

and FAQ created three short films for Emirates Aviation Experience by the O2, which we filmed in Dubai and animated in-house.

In Branding and Ident work; weareseventeen created a whole new graphics package for BT

and Rain or Shine created this vintage circus style teaser for C4's British Comedy Awards.

The year was jam-packed with lots more exciting projects, too much to choose from! Have a browse through our website to view more and explore. We are as grateful as ever for our wonderful Directors and Artists and Producers. We look forward to 2014 and whatever is in store!

Ever wondered what Santa does in his down time? Here's Jens & Anna's latest short film Tis the Season.

Steven Lenton helps Radley find Christmas!

Picasso director and illustrator Steven Lenton was commissioned by publisher Nosy Crow to create an exclusive, stylishly charming Christmas picture book for well known British brand, Radley.

On the premise of a new take on the classic Christmas song ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, Steven and the creative teams at Radley worked to produce the perfect look and feel for the book.

Once the 32 page book was ready, Steven directed a stylish trailer and a fun blooper produced in house at Picasso Pictures. Take a look at the book trailer HERE and blooper HERE

The book was published on Friday 1st November and is available online and in-store at radley.co.uk. £2 from the sale of each book is donated to the Kids Company charity to support vulnerable inner-city children.