Summary
Managing Director of Blue Zoo Animation Studio Tom Box joins Kursty to discuss how they almost doubled their staff during the pandemic. They talk about how to successfully set up a hybrid working environment, ensure you are true to your corporate values, and what doesn’t work well when going fully remote.
Tom Box is the co-founder of Blue Zoo Animation Studio and AnimDojo. Blue Zoo animation started when a few friends at university decided to start an animation studio from their bedrooms. Today, Blue Zoo has been responsible for creating some of the most popular children's TV animations. Their clients include Nickelodeon, the BBC, Disney, and many more.
Timestamps
[00:35] Episode overview: Growing an animation studio in the pandemic.
[02:01] Who is Tom Box, and how has he doubled the size of his team during the pandemic (Blue Zoo Animations)?
[05:24] What allowed Blue Zoo animations to thrive during the pandemic (satellite studios and company values)?
[09:50] Why you should never send a blanket email to all your staff about following the rules.
[12:00] A litmus test to check if you have a culture of trust in your workplace.
[14:56] How can a creative animation studio run on remote working?
[17:37] How Blue Zoo adapted to the pandemic (technology, communicating with clients, mental health).
[20:52] Lessons learned from running a fully remote animation studio in the pandemic.
[24:06] Why this animation studio will NEVER go fully remote.
[27:37] The undocumentable learning experiences you miss out on if you only work remotely.
[34:11] 3 things to consider before setting up a hybrid workplace.
[39:32] Making physical changes to your office to make it more democratic.
[42:00] Why companies who won’t figure out hybrid working will lose out.
[43:55] The future of Blue Zoo, B Corp certification and sustainability.
[46:16] Do you need to know how to draw to work in animation?
[48:51] How to connect with Tom Box.
5 Key Highlights
Links
Young Animator of the Year UK: Website
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