Stop-motion animation studio Aardman is in trouble. The manufacturer that has provided Aardman's clay over the decades, Newclay Products, has closed up shop earlier this year. Aardman bought up its remaining stock before the shutdown and now they only have enough clay left to produce one more film, set to release next year.
You may be asking, "Can't they just switch to another manufacturer?" It's not that easy. Newclay exclusively produced a unique plasticine-type clay called Lewis Newplast--it doesn't dry or melt as easily as other types of putty, and is malleable and reusable, so Aardman can't just easily switch to Play-Doh or a lower-quality material.
Chicken Run studio Aardman is apparently running out of clay
The factory that made the studio's go-to modeling clay has apparently shut down, and Aardman only has enough for one more film
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You may be asking, "Can't they just switch to another manufacturer?" It's not that easy. Newclay exclusively produced a unique plasticine-type clay called Lewis Newplast--it doesn't dry or melt as easily as other types of putty, and is malleable and reusable, so Aardman can't just easily switch to Play-Doh or a lower-quality material.