Aardman Names New CTO, Head of Stop Frame Production

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Aardman has appointed Steven Shapiro to the position of chief technical officer and Harry Linden to head of stop frame production.

Shapiro, who will start in his new role on March 28, will oversee the technology teams and develop a technology strategy reflecting the long-term plans of the studio. He joins Aardman from The Walt Disney Studios, where he served as principal architect for motion picture innovation.

Previously, Shapiro helped build the production technology team at Marvel Studios in his role as director.

Linden, who joined Aardman on March 14, will support the studio’s specialist teams to deliver an expanding stop-frame slate, which includes feature films, shorts, specials and series. The slate also includes commercials and content produced for partners. Linden will work closely with the head of CG production, Jess McKillop, to ensure an integrated approach across all techniques, as well as collaborate with producers and production teams.

Linden has worked in film and TV for 25 years across advertising and promos, trailers, series and features.

Shapiro will report to Kerry Lock, director of finance and operations at Aardman, while Linden will report to Carla Shelley, executive director of production.

Sean Clarke, managing director of Aardman, said: “This is an exciting time for Aardman. We have an ambitious slate over the next five years, and it is crucial that we continue to lead in the industry in relation to technology and our production planning to do justice to the stories we want to tell. The hiring of Steve and Harry will bolster our continued development and strategic planning around the future use of new techniques and innovations, alongside effective oversight around production planning across all areas of the studios business. Their appointments represent the next phase in a hugely exciting period for the studio, and I look forward to seeing the results of their contributions in the years to come.”