WallaceAndGromit.net

Last week Wallace and Gromit came home with a BAFTA for A Matter of Loaf and Death in the Best Short Animation category.

Receiving the Bafta, Nick Park said: “A great big thank you to my wonderful team – all those in Bristol, the animators, the model makers and all those who worked in post and sound and music and lighting – I always feel they are the best team in the world. This is for them – although I’m going to keep it.”

BBC News: Bafta success for Bristol films

He did indeed keep it, and in a small mishap broke it! Wallace and Gromit Creator’s Award Accident:

The creator of BAFTA-award winning animation WALLACE AND GROMIT is having to send his trophy away to be repaired – he broke the gong as soon as he was presented with it on Sunday (08Feb09) night.

Accidents aside, well done Nick Park and Aardman for creating yet another enjoyable, award winning short!

First off, as reported by the BBC “Panda and dog win cartoon awards” Wallace and Gromit picked up an Annie Award for Best Animated Short Subject for A Matter of Loaf and Death. Well done lads!

Speaking of AMoLaD, there is now a UK release date for the DVD of March 23rd. But if you are dying to see it again Aardman announced in their January 30th newsletter that it’s also available on iTunes. Unfortunately no release date or availability notes for a US release just yet.

We already knew that Telltale Games was developing a Wallace and Gromit game, but now they’ve officially announced Wallace & Gromit launching on XBLA [Xbox Live Arcade] and PC this spring! This is the first news we’ve had about a release timeframe, and the XBLA news is completely new. Along with the announcement, they’ve also published some new screen shots and if you haven’t seen the trailer yet, check it out!

Wallace and Gromit are also keeping up with charity, according to Tamebay’s article: Wallace and Gromit help Blue Peter raise funds:

Nick Park the creator of Wallace and Gromit has designed a one off collectible plate as part of a collection being auctioned in aid of the current Blue Peter appeal.

To mark their 50th anniversary Blue Peter has partnered with three charities, ContinYou, FCFCG and Save the Children to raise funds for Mission Nutrition. The appeal has the ambitious aim of putting 2 million meals on plates for children around the world and many celebrities have decorated plates for the eBay auctions.

And BrandRepublic.com reports Not for Profit: Wallace and Gromit help Bristol’s young:

Campaign Bristol’s Big Give Client Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal PR team Spirit Public Relations Timescale October-December 2008 Budget c. £5,000

Finally, in case you were ever curious, Licensing.biz now has a brand profile page for Wallace and Gromit. At the time of writing this, Wallace and Gromit have about 30 UK licensees.

First up, we’ve got a great little Gallery from guardian.co.uk showcasing 18 photos from Wallace and Gromit from their first short until now: Gallery: Wallace and Gromit in Pictures

In preparation for A Matter of Loaf and Death I read over at Animation Magazine (Promo Deals for Wallace and Gromit), the duo teamed up with Kingsmill for a promotion that includes prizes, and a whole Wallace and Gromit section of their site! kingsmillbread.com/wallaceandgromit/

Another deal was struck with Pyrex, as mentioned in several articles including licensing.biz Wallace and Gromit sign promotions:

A further tie-in with Pyrex offers exclusive collectables free with selected non-stick bakeware at Asda Living adn Superstores and independent retailers. Five sets are available including an oven glove, tea towel, shopper bag and pan rest.

Aardmand Rights head, Sean Clarke said: ” Wallace and Gromit coming back to BBC1 is truly a big event and Aardman has been very happy to develop some fun adn entertaining Wallace and Gromit BBC1 idents to support A Matter of Loaf and Death’s premiere.

“We have also developed some fantastic promotional partnerships based on the obvious baking themes of the story with Kingsmill and Pyrex that provide a good platform to reintroduce fans to the world of Wallace and Gromit.”

And while on the subject of endorsements, Bacheldre Watermill is producing a Wallace and Gromit flour! Bacheldre Partners with Aardman Animations for new Wallace & Gromit adventure film

Bacheldre Watermill is proud to announce its partnership with AardmanAnimations and Pyrex, for the launch of Wallace and Gromit’s new adventure film ‘A Matter of Loaf and Death’.  Bacheldre Watermill is offering fans the chance to copy the pair’s latest baking bonanza by launching a range of limited edition Wallace and Gromit stoneground organic flour.

Bacheldre Watermill is a small family run mill, which has won numerous awards for their flour and is used is in some of the best kitchens around the country. Using Artisan skills and only the highest quality grains they have been able to grow the business year on year, and now are looking forward to the future working with such great brands as Wallace and Gromit and Pyrex.

Next up, Nick Park recently discussed some of his experiences working with Hollywood: Aardman animator on US culture clash:

Plasticine duo Wallace & Gromit are as British as tea and crumpets, but according to their creator, Hollywood tried to make them as American as apple pie.

…

He said: “DreamWorks took us on as a British team, but at times things could get very focus-grouped around what would appeal to American audiences.

“They love Wallace and Gromit over there, I think they just tried to Americanise the films without thinking because everything’s got to be about America.

“I’m not trying to please some kid in some suburb in North America, whom I don’t understand.”

Aardman produced some short segments for the BBC back in December, you can see one of them over at guardian.co.uk: Wallace and Gromit star in BBC1 Christmas idents

The telegraph published a fantastic article about the success of Nick Park and Wallace and Gromit: Wallace and Gromit: one man and his dog

The AP reports a published copy of A Matter of Loaf or Death was pirated on YouTube prior to the official release on Christmas day, with Aardman saying they have “no idea” how the leak could have occurred: Wallace & Gromit pirated on YouTube

Nigel Kendall over at Times Online did an interview with Nick Park on A Matter of Loaf and Death, filming only took 7 months! Check it out: Nick Park on Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death

Edward’s Bakery made some Wallace and Gromit cakes in celebration of the premiere: Cake tribute to TV heroes Wallace and Gromit

Son Duncan Edwards [pictured above] said: “We’ve baked some special Wallace and Gromit cakes to mark the screening of the new short film.

“The plaques that go on them are exclusively available only to members of the Master Bakers’ National Association so we were pleased to get hold of some.

“There are some posters up in the shop too and it’s going down well with customers.”

Telltale Games has published some new screenshots and concept art of their upcoming Wallace and Gromit game: The Telltale Blog: Cracking screenshots, Gromit! and Telltale Games Wallace and Gromit Page

In case you were wondering, A Matter of Loaf and Death topped the charts for most viewed program on Christmas day in Britian, with 14.3 million viewers: The return of Wallace & Gromit helps BBC win Christmas ratings race

For those of you lucky enough to be in the UK, the new Wallace and Gromit film A Matter of Loaf and Death will be airing Christmas Day at 8:30PM on BBC One.

I haven’t posted much news/pictures about this, but a page all about it is in the works, as well as some tidbits from the past few weeks.

Happy Holidays!

After weeks of checking www.wallaceandgromit.com for updates and trailers, a google search today found three clips from the new adventure!!

Check them out below: (Beware: Spoilers)

Puppy Love 

Toasted Teacakes 

Top Bun

All the above clips can also be found at a very popular video upload site, as well as two new clips, including the introduction and a clip of Gromit.

Also the official site has been updated with downloads etc. at www.wallaceandgromit.com

Only 15 days till broadcast (BBC only) – I can’t wait!

Dan Faulks from Radio Times magazine contacted me today to let us know that our beloved Wallace and Gromit will be gracing the cover of the upcoming Radio Times magazine cover, all decked out in holiday garb created for the magazine by Nick Park!

He also said:

“Inside the magazine is an interview with Nick Park and more pics of Wallace and Gromit, plus an offer to send off for a double-sided A1 size poster featuring an image of the Radio Times picture on one side and an image from A Matter of Loaf and Death on the other.”

How exciting – well done lads!

First off, following my last post about the Harvey Nichols ad campaign starring Wallace and Gromit, Ben Riches sent me high resolution photos of a couple of the, you can download them here:

• Lady Tottington (1.3M)
  
• Wallace (1.2M)

Thanks again Ben!

Next in the news is the Science Museum in London announcing the hosting of a Wallace and Gromit inventions exhisibt in 2009:

• Science Museum Press Release
• WallaceAndGromit.com Announcement
• Science Museum Exhibit Page

Aardman has also launched their own YouTube channel, check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/aardman

What has the Wallace And Gromit Children’s Foundation been up to? They are now planning a Tea Party! Check out their site for how to donate and take part: Wallace & Gromit’s Tea Party

RSVP and we will send you a fantastic Wallace & Gromit Tea Party pack with all you need to make your tea party a great success ! Included in your Tea party pack are some fantastic Wallace & Gromit invitations so you can invite your friends, family and work colleagues to join your party !

Big update to the filming of the new film, A Matter of Loaf and Death they met their shooting deadline on the 10th of October. Now what?

Once we’ve finished we’ll send all the footage to Nick Park. The next stage is called the ‘picture lock’ where Nick finalises all the shots he wants to use in the final cut of the film. The finalised version is then passed on to several departments to add the finishing touches. This includes finishing off the visual effects in the CGI department and adding music and sound effects. This process is extremely important – we have already gone through 2 versions of the music trying to make sure that it is right for the look and feel of the film – it’s amazing how much of a difference it can make!

Well done!! More details on the site: Film Production Blog: Filming on AMOLAD…1 day left!

Wallace and Gromit have changed their trousers, signing a contract with Department Store Harvey Nichols:

WHEN a designer store launches an advertising campaign it’s likely it will hire a top model – such as Kate Moss or Agyness Deyn – to display its expensive outfits.

But posh department store Harvey Nichols has broken the mould.

Instead, the shop’s bosses have decided Nick Park’s plasticine pals Wallace and Gromit are the perfect models for their ads.

In a change from his usual white shirt, green tank top, red tie and brown trousers, cheese-loving Wallace is dressed in designer sunglasses, a navy Alexander McQueen suit, Dolce and Gabbana shirt and Giorgio Armani tie.

His faithful sidekick Gromit is kitted out in a Paul Smith scarf and Ray-Ban sunglasses in the pictures”

– TheSun.co.uk: He’s in the right trousers now

For more, check out these related articles:

• AWN: Harvey Nichols Puts Wallace And Gromit In The Right Trousers
• MediaBistro: UK Department Store Gets Wallace and Gromit Into Designer Duds
• BBC News: Wallace given designer trousers

Finally, the Harvey Nichols website has a photo shoot flash video on their site:

Harvey Nichols has worked with top models and local residents, Wallace and Gromit, to launch the Bristol store this September. To see their photo shoot, view the video (here)

I’m a bit late to the party with all this news, but Shaun is coming to the DS! The DS is currently my favorite console, probably my favorite one ever, imagine my delight when I discovered plans for a game, and then started seeing the screenshots come out. At E3 there was a preview.

“As for the game itself, Shaun must complete a series of fetch-quests and mini-games while ensuring he stays well out of the way of the farmer’s keen eye. For example, his first objective is to round up 15 sheep – who’ve escaped from the pen – before the farmer returns from market.”

ING: E3 2008: Shaun the Sheep Hands-on

I also really enjoyed the Curse game for the PS2, so I have high hopes for this game. More screenshots here and a trailer from shaunthesheep.com:

But I’m not done with game news! There is now a website up for the upcoming Telltale Games: Wallace and Gromit Grand Adventures game! There are dozens of articles out there about it, but Adventure Gamers has a nice one: Telltale nicks Wallace & Gromit license for new series and so does CNN: ‘Wallace and Gromit’ venture into new video game. Word is that it’ll be for the Wii and PC, suppose this means I have yet another reason to get a Wii! WallaceAndGromit.com has more information on an article on their website as well: Aardman and Telltale announce “stories you can play” based on W&G

A reminder, Aardman has combined blog and forum for their Film Production Blog, so be sure to skip over there, sign up, get involved and read the latest news about A Matter of Loaf and Death.

There is now an exhibit called Animated Adventures – Leicester New Walk Museum 7th June -12th October.

 “Animated Adventures, a travelling exhibition featuring original sets and models from the hugely-successful Wallace and Gromit films, is opening at the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery in Leicester this Saturday.

…

For more information on directions and opening times, visit: http://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council–services/lc/leicester-city-museums/museums/nwm–art-gallery”

– Animated Adventures Exhibit Moves to Leicester

Speaking of Art, there is not another floral sculpture of the duo, this time of their motorbike and sidecar!

The very successful Wrong Trousers day has gathered a lot of support, most recently from Desmond Tutu!

 “Famous cartoon characters Wallace and Gromit posed with Nobel Peace Prize-winning Archbishop Desmond Tutu recently to promote a fund-raising even in aid of their children’s foundation.”

And an one article of many about events that happened on Wrong Trousers day, this one was from a supermarket in Beckenham: News Shopper: Checking out wrong trousers

..and did they reach their goal of 100 million pounds? Sure did – plus more! Trousers pocket £217 for hospices