Impossible Pictures Acquires British Animation Company

LONDON, December 13: Independent British television producer
Impossible Pictures has acquired the Manchester-based animation company
Firestep.

The acquisition expands Impossible Pictures’ operations outside of
London and will enable the company to explore new ways of approaching factual
and drama, as well as tap into opportunities in the children’s market.

Co-founded by Steve Maher and Jonathan Doyle, Firestep is best
known for its work on The Infinite Quest, an animated serial for the BBC based
on the British series Doctor Who.

Founded by company directors Tim Haines and Jasper James, Impossible
Pictures specializes in producing factual and drama programming for prime time.
Recent productions include Prehistoric Park and Primeval for ITV and Ocean
Odyssey
for the BBC.

Jonathan Drake, the managing director of Impossible Pictures, who
will also chair the Firestep board, said: "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. Jon and Steve are
two huge talents in their field—and great fun—who we’ll be proud to
work with. There’s already a real buzz around the new opportunities we can
pursue together. At the same time we hope to contribute to the energy and
creativity that’s there to be tapped in the Manchester production community.”

—By Irene Lew