Animation sensation

Animator Jide Johnson has been selected for this years’ Sony Talent League in partnership with the Trojan Horse Unicorn.

The prize includes funding and mentorship from top industry animation directors, which will help Jide to develop his big animation idea – a series called Family Britannia.

Jide is using this opportunity to combine 2D animation, real-time 3D modelling, and music production to develop a teaser for the TV pilot for the show.

Set on a North London council estate, Family Britannia is about a Nigerian cyber security expert living with his interracial family. It draws on Jide’s own experiences of growing up in Haringey, and the contrasting international tech hub in Old Street, where his animation company, Aniboxx is located.

Jide said: “Creating a show about a family of characters from different ethnic backgrounds is an idea I’ve had for some time.

“Growing up in Haringey was a utopian interracial melting pot for me. Back in the day I came from residential housing, but most of my friends lived on council estates. We lived for pirate radio – making music for Heat FM, Mystic FM and Axe FM. I’ve always been in love with ‘the block’, especially during the rise of Grime music.

“Council estates hold some of my happiest memories and dearest friends. So, a Haringey council estate is the perfect backdrop for the humble beginnings of an interracial family, who go on a big tech rollercoaster ride throughout Britain and beyond.”

Although carving out a career in animation can be tough, Jide says the industry is “thirsty for new underground Brit stories.”

He adds: “I’m the first African to establish an animation company in the UK. Our company has had big wins and taken huge losses, but with time comes an understanding of your lane and direction.”

Jide recently produced an animation of the Black Wall Street for Spending Black − a documentary that’s on BBC iPlayer which tells the story of the Black Caribbeans who set up England’s first Credit Union.

He is now collaborating with music artist Wavy Boy Smith to make the soundtrack for Family Britannia, as he looks to “let the world know what it’s like to grow up and do business in Britain.”

Part of Jide’s plan includes supporting Haringey’s young creatives to build their animation skills, learning about everything from storytelling and storyboarding, to 3D animation, via the Aniboxx Animation Development Programme.

“Our programme is targeted at young people who can already demonstrate a creative flair to express themselves through animation, and [it will] connect them with the TV/animation industry.

“My goal is to bring through the next generation of animators from our borough. If someone like me can open a studio and work with brands like Cartoon Network and the BBC, there’s no reason why others like me can’t. There’s plenty of room for all of us.”