A new animation studio based in Gateshead is already reaping success after only a few months trading and already looking to grow the business.
Kuro Dragon, based in Gateshead’s International Business Centre was launched in mid April by serial entrepreneur Stuart Howard. Using the latest animation software, Kuro Dragon are able to create unique, innovative promotional videos and adverts for use across all media platforms.
Having worked in the industry for over four years in his start up business straight from Northumbria University, Stuart saw a gap in the market to take this knowledge and experience in a new direction and capitalise on the benefits of animation.
Stuart said; “I’m really excited about the future for Kuro Dragon, we‘ve already had flattering interest from potential investors who have seen the potential of the business. We're already looking to expand and will be opening a London based office in the coming few weeks.”
Kuro Dragon recently fought off tough competition from some major players to undertake a project for Sunderland Software City. The six-minute-long animation, aimed at 11-17 year-olds and available on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFGmaFbufNs), sees a pair of teenagers discovering how a career in software can take them places they’d never imagined - like music, fashion, computer games, films and sport - and that people who work in the industry aren’t really geeks at all.
Sunderland Software City is the regional initiative supporting the growth of the software industry in the North East and Chief Executive Officer Bernie Callaghan says that building a talented workforce in the region is key to continuing the growth of the local software sector.
He said: “If the local software industry is going to continue its recent expansion we’re going to have to keep growing that talent pool, but we know a lot of young people are put off even thinking about a career in software because they think it has nothing to do with the things that interest them and it’s not somewhere people like them work.
“That couldn’t be further from the truth, and we thought an animated film would be an appealing and relevant way to set the record straight.
The film is designed to be shown in schools, where it can be accompanied by visits from local companies like those shown in the film – which includes local companies such as 4Projects, Isherwoods and Sonodrome - lesson plans where Key Stage 3 students can use software to design their own planet, and fun and interactive workshops.
John Hart at Sunderland Software City stated: ‘Stuart and his team have a wealth of experience between them and we were thrilled with the outcome. We have already had fantastic feedback on the animation and we look forward to continue to use this animation to promote jobs within software in the region.’
Stuart said on the film “We produced the 2D animation within a very tight time scale while collaborating with the talented guys at Yourfilm and Mudshark Audio to composite the final piece. We are extremely pleased with the outcome and will be entering the animation into upcoming national awards.”
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