MAGIC LIGHT PICTURES, TWENTY YEARS OF PASSION FOR STORIES

MARTIN POPE AND MICHAEL ROSE , CO-FOUNDERS AND MANAGING DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, HAVE BEEN BRINGING JULIA DONALDSON AND AXEL SCHEFFLER’S BELOVED CHILDREN’S BOOKS TO THE SCREEN FOR TWO DECADES IN A COMPLEMENTARY AND PASSIONED WORK.

The filmmaking partnership of Magic Light Pictures' co-founders Martin Pope and Michael Rose has lasted for twenty years, where they've built one of the most enduring British animation production companies, bringing Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's beloved children's books to the screen. Señal News spoke with them to describe the work of their Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning company.

How would you describe the story behind Magic Light Pictures?

MP: "Michael and I became friends in the early 1990s when I was producing my first feature film, and Michael was a buyer at Channel Four. While I continued running my own business making feature films and TV dramas, Michael joined Aardman in Bristol. In 2002, Michael moved back to London and saw my film 'The Heart of Me' at the Closing Gala film of the London Film Festival. We got back together over coffee and realized the possibilities of working together."

MR: "We talked a lot about what we wanted to do. We realized we had very different skill sets and experiences, but we could build something special by joining forces. We were sufficiently different that we'd complement each other, while we shared the belief that what matters is not the technique you use but the stories you tell and the passion they're told with."

MP: "I think we were standing on Wardour Street when we came up with three ideas which formed the bedrock of our business plan: make live-action films first, develop animation, and if we could find the right property, build that into a lasting brand. So even at the beginning and even though we didn't know the exact next steps, we already had the idea of a trajectory and where we wanted to go."

What is the most popular Magic Light IP in these twenty years?

MR: "It has to be 'The Gruffalo.' We knew that if we could develop an animation IP for the whole family, it could have lasting worth, positively impact people over time, and underpin our business. We were sure it was the 'one' and that we could create a special classic, but it took a long time to get the rights, from 2003 to 2007. 'The Gruffalo' was already a huge publishing success, and we had to convince Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler, and publisher Macmillan that we were the best partner to bring it to the screen."

MP: "Many companies wanted it, some as a series, others as a feature film, but we wanted to stay true to the book and determined it was perfect as a half-hour Christmas special. There are various moments where I can remember Michael saying confidently, 'we're going to produce it for BBC1 on Christmas Day,' and my heart was pounding, thinking, how on earth are we going to pull that off?"

What values are the heart of the company?

MR: "We've built a business known for wonderful films, some of which are enduring classics, viewed repeatedly, which we're pleased to think to deliver an incredible pleasure to our family audiences. But alongside that, we've built a company with outstanding values at its root, and those values cascade through all our work. We want to ensure that 'The Gruffalo' is still a much-loved classic brand in 50 years. If we err on the side of caution, it's because we need to get it right. In everything we do, we're pushing for high quality with strong values which can have a long life."

When you look back on the past 20 years, what are you most proud of?

MR: "I'm proud that we've built a business known for great films with an incredibly high-quality threshold. Above all, I'm proud that we've built a company with great values underpinned by integrity and quality and a desire to delight audiences. Those values cascade through our work and all the people working with Magic Light."

MP: "I'm very proud of our team. There are people here who are doing great work. Also, of course, it makes me proud when we get comments from parents who are amazed their kids have watched one of our films every day for two months or where a film has helped and connected with a child. It's just amazing to be making things that families embrace."

By Romina Rodríguez