Ethos
Small in size, big on purpose
The Big Picture
In every project we take on, we believe in the project wholeheartedly. Once we’re in, we are hook, line and sinker. Committed. Often we’re coming on board years after those initial development stages, and we are inhaling those well-thumbed treatments. We actively want to immerse ourselves. We’re not looking to create surface meaningless bubble gum imagery, there’s enough of that floating around instagram, usually in soft pastels. We’re looking to deep dive. We want to get passionate. Commit. Be horrified. Lost. Enamoured.
Joyous Artists = Joyous Clients
And while our passion to our work is unbridled, we actively maintain that our employees are just as important as our clients. Our studio is purpose-driven and we are committed to our position as a socially responsible mission-led company. Our primary focus is effectively balancing people, planet and profitability.
We believe in work/life balance, and breaking the glorification of over working. At six daily, our mice retire and our wacom pens are lowered. Competent planning, effective client relations and thorough work practises allow us to maintain this balance without compromising on delivering exceptional work.
We believe in transparent work practises. We don’t offer thinly veiled corporate strategies like free lunches so that artists work through their lunch break. We insist on substandard cheese toasties (okay let’s admit, work from home lunchings need a little inspiration). In addition to this, we recognise the requirements of life. We don’t dictate your lunch breaks, and then over run them with meetings. Your life, this work, our balance.
We also don’t believe in employee segregation. As a boutique, we are gifted without borders between departments. When we’re idea generating, or considering proposals – we believe in all voices, where we can have a truly valuable discussion without ego and hierarchy.
See below for what our clients have said about us recently
“Well sh*t. We won an Oscar. And a BAFTA! We did it. I’m left with a deep well of gratitude… All the graphics in this movie look amazing and I’m grateful for the love and care you guys put into this film. To quote John Wayne, “You done good, kid!” Sending you a million thank yous! You had the courage to walk through the fire with us. For that I’m forever grateful.”
Daniel Roher, Director, Navalny
“Allison and her team are an integral part of every production I work on. She is always responsive to the directors vision and never fails to deliver extraordinary work”
George Chignell, Producer, Ex- Head of Production, Passion Pictures
“Working with Allison and her team at Past Curfew is a professional and creative joy. I’ve returned to collaborating with PC on a number of projects because of the diligence, insight and emotional intelligence that is core to their process. They’ve executed with excellence on a range of animation styles, distilling a singular and fitting aesthetic each time.”
Daniel Cowen, Director
Creative Commitment
Alongside working on contributing to the narratives of films globally, we are also committed to the creation of telling our own compelling stories to audiences across cultures. Our first film, The Amazing Adventures of Awesome, screened at a multitude of international festivals, including Oscar and BAFTA qualifiers.
We dedicate a percentage of our profits into the creation of these stories, and are currently in development on another beautiful 2D animated short film.
The film is about Odette, an enthusiastic young girl with an intellectual disability, who discovers the true meaning of success with the help of the most popular sport in the world. Football.
Our mission is to continue telling stories that have the capability to inspire change, growth and new understandings within audiences globally. More about our film, here.
Moving Forward
Our longer term strategies are ambitious. We’re looking to enhance our diversity commitment, specifically in internships and mentoring.
We’re also aligning ourselves with B Corp philosophies with the longer term endeavour of certifying. We would love to certify, to give us the opportunity of quantifiable improvements and holistic goal setting with accountability. We believe passionately in the transformation of standardised industry practises which put clients needs above all else, at all costs to human physical and mental well being.
We’ve started this process by choosing to bank with a B Corp bank, re-invest profits into creating stories with strong social themes and running our Diversity Placement Scheme (more on this below.)
We want to be actively part of facilitating this change, and that starts with us. Here. Now.
Our pledge to Socially Minded films
Over the years we have worked on many films with issues pertaining to social justice, and we’ve absolutely loved doing so. We would like to continue supporting film makers in the creation of these critical films, which, for many reasons, often do not receive adequate funding to support graphics budgets.
In our ongoing commitment to social justice films, we pledge to work on a socially minded film for a reduced rate, every twelve months. If your film is low budget and socially minded, please do reach out as we’d love to discuss.
Our Social Justice Commitment Film for 2022 was the critical film: Chocolate Milk.
“Chocolate Milk explores racial inequities in birth and breastfeeding in the US by following the stories of three Black mothers in South Los Angeles over multiple years – a new mom, a WIC employee and a homebirth midwife.” For more information: chocolatemilkdoc.com
And for more information about our involvement, please see the following post.
Diversity Placement Scheme
Last year we launched our Diversity Placement scheme, offering an eight week paid part time placement working on one of film projects.
We created the scheme because we believe in diversity. Diversity of thought, identity and lived experienced is fundamental in creating a rich collection of voices who can drive meaningful creations.
We were so overwhelmed by the incredible quantity of talented individuals whom applied, our initial offering of one placement quickly extended to two!
We were thrilled to have Yu-Ching Chiu and Ellie Bannister join our team, illustrating for one of our films. After the placement, Ellie then joined us for several months as a Junior Illustrator and we continue to work with her (when she’s not busy designing!)
Our diversity commitment also extends to our wider hiring process. We encourage applicants who identify as minoritised ethnic, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent and/or are from disadvantaged backgrounds. As a female led company, we also encourage individuals to apply who identify as women, including cis, trans and non-binary. Furthermore we encourage individuals who are parents/carers returning to the workforce and/or single parent/carers.
We are financial supporters of the fine folk over at Art of Title. We are also involved in the Women in Film and TV E-Mentoring scheme.