Rewind 21 years and Kong’s producer Emma Burch was working as a runner at stop-motion studio Loose Moose Productions. Her first task was to reply to the many showreel submissions. Little did she know that one of those plucky animators would end up being a future business partner.

Here is the very rejection letter typed out by Emma and sent to Kong’s Bill Elliott all those years ago. The letter resurfaced during a clear-out and is now framed in the office. Bill hung onto it, not knowing what the future may bring, just for the pure reason that someone had taken the time to watch his showreel and respond in a personal way.

It’s a reminder to be courteous to everyone. You never know when you may cross paths again!