Impossible Pictures will expand its operations outside London by acquiring Manchester-based animation company Firestep. The acquisition will open doors in the children’s market while also enabling Impossible to explore new ways to approach factual and drama productions.
Co-founded by award-winning animation producers Steve Maher and Jonathan Doyle, Firestep was best known for its work on The Infinite Quest, an animated Dr Who adventure for the BBC.
Impossible Pictures Managing Director Jonathan Drake will chair the Firestep board. ‘This is an important stage in the development of our business, which is based firmly on creativity and the ability to bring innovation and ambition to everything we do,’ he comments. ‘Jon and Steve are two huge talents in their field’and great fun’who we’ll be proud to work with.’
‘From our earliest meetings with the team at Impossible Pictures we felt instantly at home,’ says Maher. ‘Their proven track record of breaking new ground both in factual and drama programming gives us confidence that with them we can take animation into new and exciting areas.’ Doyle adds, ‘Impossible’s commitment to Firestep’s continuing growth within the North West was hugely attractive and we are all focused on building a vibrant creative business firmly rooted in the region.’
