Buzz
Last week, fans of Aardman Animations—the British studio famous for Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, and other cherished titles—were alarmed by rumors that the studio might be depleting its supply of the unique clay essential for its stop-motion films. This week, Aardman sought to reassure everyone.
The rumor began with a report in The Telegraph, which claimed Aardman was running low on Lewis Newplast plasticine, a specialized clay containing nylon fibers perfect for stop-motion animation. (This clay is flexible yet holds its shape without needing extra steps like glazing.) The material, used by the studio since the 1970s, is no longer produced by Newclay Products, its original supplier, after the company shut down its factory in March.
The Telegraph further stated that Aardman acquired Newclay’s leftover stock, which was just sufficient to finish a new Wallace and Gromit project. (The remaining supply totaled around 900 pounds, approximately half the amount usually required for a full-length feature.)
The outlet mentioned that Aardman initially declined to comment on the story when it was published. However, this week, the studio shared a statement that offered a more optimistic outlook.
“We are deeply moved by the recent concern regarding the future of our cherished clay creations, but we want to assure fans that there is no cause for alarm. We have substantial reserves of modeling clay to support both current and upcoming projects … and have strategies in place to seamlessly transition to new supplies, ensuring our iconic productions continue.”
The Telegraph suggested that Aardman will likely find a new supplier for clay akin to Newplast. Regardless, the studio had enough material to complete their newest film, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, which debuts on December 15 via Netflix.
