Blink is a British development studio and production company. They make TV series, commercials, music videos, short films, branded content and video games. The company structure comprises Blink Industries (TV & Film), Blinkink (commercials & music videos with a focus on mixed media/animation), Blink Productions (commercials & music videos with a focus on live action) and Blink Games (video game development). The group operates from 3 studio locations in London.
Overview
Blink is known for discovering and developing new creative talent. Having started out as a TV commercial production company, Blink has evolved into one of the UK's rising independent entertainment studios with several completed productions and a slate of original IPs in development. Their roster of directorial talent is drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds, whose work incorporates a variety of film crafts, including live-action, stop motion, puppetry, 2D animation and CGI.
Blink Industries
Blink Industries was founded in 2012 by James Stevenson Bretton to focus on long form development for TV and Film. They are best known for the series Don't Hug Me I'm Scared created by Becky Sloan, Joe Pelling and Baker Terry. After building an audience as a YouTube series running from 2011-2018, where it has reached over 300 million views and 3.26 million subscribers on the platform, it was developed into 6 x 22 minute episodes for Channel 4 with support from the BFI's Young Audiences Content Fund and aired in Autumn 2022. Don't Hug Me I'm Scared was awarded the BAFTA for Outstanding Production Design at the 2023 BAFTA Craft Awards.
Their other major series to date is Dead End: Paranormal Park, created by Hamish Steele. It was developed from Steele's original graphic novel series “Deadendia” into 20 x 22 minute episodes for Netflix. Season 1 was released in the summer of 2022 and Season 2 was released soon after in the autumn.
Other notable work includes:
"All Through The House", an episode in season 2 of Tim Miller & David Fincher's animated anthology series, 'Love, Death + Robots' (Netflix 2021). Directed by Elliot Dear]. 'All Through The House' was awarded an Emmy for Best Character Animation in 2022.
'Enkai', an episode of Triggerfish Studios' Afro-futurist animation anthology 'Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire' (Disney+ 2021). Directed by Ng'endo Mukii. Executive Produced by Peter Ramsey.
'Peter & The Wolf', a half hour special made in collaboration with BMG for HBO Max & Cartoon Network, with international distribution through BBC Studios. It was developed from the 2003 album & book by Gavin Friday and Bono, who also served as Executive Producers. Directed by Elliot Dear & Stephen McNally and produced by Adriana Piasek Wanski. Proceeds of the film will go to support the Irish Hospice Foundation, as with the original book and album release.
Blink Industries are currently in production on 'The Sunnyridge 3' a 20 x 22 minute episode original series for Disney+. Created and directed by Stevie Gee & Essy May.
In 2012, Blink Industries produced a mini series for Cartoon Network entitled 'The Grumpy King'. Written and directed by Jonny Sabbagh and Will Harper, it was nominated for a BAFTA in 2012.
In 2019, Blink Industries produced 'Get Real Dude' a sketch show pilot written by and starring Edinburgh Comedy Award 2022 winner Sam Campbell for Channel 4. It was directed by Joe Pelling.
Blinkink
Blinkink was founded by Bart Yates in 2005 to specialise in animation and mixed-media filmmaking, predominantly for commercials, music videos and broadcast promos.
Their projects often make use of a combination of analogue and digital animation techniques, with a focus on unusual characters and comedic storytelling.
They have been the recipients of several advertising industry awards including D&AD (Design & Art Direction) Pencils, British Television Advertising Awards and the Cannes Lions Festival Of Creativity Grand Prix.
Blinkink are active in the UK music industry and have made videos with artists including Dua Lipa, Elton John, Iron Maiden, Ashnikko, Jon Hopkins & Gorillaz.
Notable projects include:
'The Bear & The Hare' for British department store chain John Lewis, in their popular series of Christmas commercials. Directed by Elliot Dear. The character animation was led by former Disney animation supervisor Aaron Blaise and featured a Lily Allen re-recording of the Keane ballad 'Somewhere Only We Know' which went on to become a commercial radio success.