U.K. f/x house Framestore Feature Animation has already started work on its first big-budget project, Sylvain Chomet's for Universal.

The pic is adapted from the children's book by American author Kate DiCamillo. Producers are Allison Thomas and Gary Ross, whose shared credits include Seabiscuit and Pleasantville.

Lipman, who joins as managing partner of Framestore's feature division, served eight years at DreamWorks Animation, first as co-head of production then as co-exec producer on Shrek and producer of Shrek 2.