Stoke-on-Trent based animation company, Carse and Waterman Productions, has today announced its involvement in an ambitious, new animation project which will see the company work with the producers of hit films “Saving Santa” and “Nativity!” to produce a festive animation titled ‘The Claus Supremacy’.

The story itself places its audience in a world of alternative history. This forms the backdrop for an entertaining story of discovery where we, as an audience, learn how the Santa Claus that we’ve all grown to know and love can deliver all of those presents to millions of children across the world.

Development has now started on the family feature film and the team at Carse and Waterman are now busy modelling, rigging and animating key characters.

Company director Daniel Waterman, says that the project marks an exciting chapter of ‘growth and reflection’ for the business. ‘We (Daniel Waterman and Gary Carse) launched the business after our first year at Staffordshire University in 2009 and our first project together was a music video for The Prodigy.

‘Since then, we’ve worked tirelessly to build a diverse, imaginative team who have gone on to work on a range of notable projects, working with industry giants such as AT&T and United Nations.

‘Nine years since the launch of Carse and Waterman we’re very proud to remain in Stoke-on-Trent and we’re keen to share the message that digital creativity and youth aspiration are very much alive within this city.’

The animation will be produced by film producer Richard Turner and Terry Stone. Turner co-produced the highly acclaimed festive hit ‘Nativity’ while Stone who has carved an impressive career on both sides of the camera over the past 14 years.

Describing the animation as a ‘film for the whole family’, Turner explains his reasoning for choosing to work with a Staffordshire-based company on the project.

‘Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire have a fantastic range of digital and creative industries, fuelled by outstanding local talent and a vibrant, diverse business environment.

‘We’ve already received a huge amount of interest in the film and we look forward to working with Carse and Waterman throughout this project’.

The feature film is now in pre-production stage with the objective to launch in cinemas in December 2019.

– More information and a short trailer can be found at www.claussupremacy.com