Latest news with #LudoStudio
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Australian Studio Cosmic Dino Involved In ‘Bluey' Movie Signs With UTA & Fourth Wall; Unveils Expanded Facilities
EXCLUSIVE: Australian animation studio Cosmic Dino, which is providing end-to-end CG services for the upcoming Bluey movie, has signed with UTA & Fourth Wall for international representation. The Brisbane-based company has also unveiled details of its new 1,500 square meter (16,100 square feet) facility, which features a 40-seater 4K+ HDR cinema for reviews, creatively inspired edit suites, cutting-edge pipeline, and an expansive open-plan office aimed at fostering collaboration between directors, artists and producers. More from Deadline Former Axis Studios Execs Launch Animation Prod Co. Zaratan With Support From Aniventure Folivari International Takes Global Rights To 'Pil's Adventures' Spin-Off Series Indie Australian Distributor Umbrella Entertainment Rebrands As Umbrella Co-owners Ricard Cussó and Ryan Greaves say both developments mark a natural progression for the studio, which offers full-service CG animation, adaptable to a wide range of budgets and storytelling ambitions. Announced last December, the Bluey movie is a feature-length adaptation of the global hit animated series, written and directed by creator Joe Brumm, and lead-produced by Brisbane-based Ludo Studio in collaboration with BBC Studios and The Walt Disney Company. It is slated for theatrical release in 2027. Cosmic Dino is among a clutch of Brisbane-based companies working on the film alongside Ludo Studio. The high-profile collaboration marks a major milestone for Cosmic Dino. 'The driving force behind Cosmic Dino is our unwavering passion to collaborate with visionary creatives and studios; to take their projects to infinity & beyond,' said Cussó and Greaves. 'It was a pivotal part of our plans to sign with the brilliance of Alison Mann at Fourth Wall & Strawn Dixon at UTA to launch us full throttle into the U.S. market and showcase our exciting new facilities and the team of world-class artists we've assembled.' Cussó and Greaves will be at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France next week for talks on the company's expanded offering. It marks their second year at the festival, having attended in 2024 for the world premiere of The Sloth Lane, for which Cosmic Dino provided animation services. The feature was lead produced by Like A Photon Creative. Launched in 2021 by Spanish-Australian director Cussó and producer-screenwriter Greaves, Cosmic Dino's other credits include CG feature Scarygirl and the Tales from Sanctuary City franchise, which were also lead produced by Like A Photon Creative. Its latest completed service project, the adaptation of the New York Times bestseller, The Pout-Pout Fish, is set for theatrical release later this year. Best of Deadline 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More
The Age
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
Ibis, wombat or blue heeler? Former Bluey designer steps up in 2032 mascot quest
'I want the Olympic mascot to be something we can actually be proud of, something that's authentic to who we are and leaves no one behind... 'As far as I know, I'm one of the few people experienced in leading big design teams in showcasing Brisbane to the world.' Drummond was Bluey's original lead designer but quit the show after its first season. 'If you draw one background on Bluey, you've kind of drawn them all, and I had quite literally drawn every background on Bluey, more or less, at that point,' she said. 'I think ultimately that was the right decision, even though it was, you know, the opportunity of a lifetime.' Drummond said she in fact teamed up with her former colleagues at Ludo Studio to petition the Palaszczuk government back in 2022 for a chance to design the mascot. She said it was unlikely that Bluey herself could be the Olympic mascot due to rights issues with the BBC and Disney. 'If we can't get Bluey as the mascot, why not the next best thing, which would be the people who designed Bluey?' she said. Ludo Studio was approached for comment. Drummond said that designing Olympic mascots was a risky enterprise. 'Trying to represent everything and everyone, you end up representing no one,' she said. The much-criticised Wenlock and Mandeville, mascots of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, were an example of what could go wrong. 'Behold the one-eyed compromise monster,' jeered the Toronto Globe and Mail at the time, comparing the mascots to 'a drunken one-night stand between a Teletubby and a Dalek'. 'I'm sure [the Brisbane mascot] should have some kind of a sense of humour about it,' Drummond said. 'I think it should represent our amazing wildlife in some shape or form. And beyond that, it's just a matter of opening it up to the community.' The Brisbane 2032 spokesperson would not say whether the design would be chosen through a public competition as was Borobi, the koala mascot of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Back in 2022, former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that the mascot would be chosen by public vote, while former tourism minister Stirling Hinchliffe hoped it would be an ibis. Palm cockatoos, koalas, dugongs and 'Fatso' the wombat, a joke mascot first proposed by comedians Roy and HG for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, have also featured in the discussion. After 24 hours Drummond's post had 1300 likes and plenty of supportive comments. 'If I was the CEO of Olympics you'd have the job yesterday'; 'You would be perfect for this'; and 'Olympics! Hire this woman now!' were some of the responses. A Queenslander currently based in Melbourne, Drummond said that her Instagram post was aimed less at the Organising Committee and more at creative agencies. 'I think if I could pair up with an advertising agency that I could trust to do a good job, that would probably be the best scenario in all of this,' she said.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Ibis, wombat or blue heeler? Former Bluey designer steps up in 2032 mascot quest
'I want the Olympic mascot to be something we can actually be proud of, something that's authentic to who we are and leaves no one behind... 'As far as I know, I'm one of the few people experienced in leading big design teams in showcasing Brisbane to the world.' Drummond was Bluey's original lead designer but quit the show after its first season. 'If you draw one background on Bluey, you've kind of drawn them all, and I had quite literally drawn every background on Bluey, more or less, at that point,' she said. 'I think ultimately that was the right decision, even though it was, you know, the opportunity of a lifetime.' Drummond said she in fact teamed up with her former colleagues at Ludo Studio to petition the Palaszczuk government back in 2022 for a chance to design the mascot. She said it was unlikely that Bluey herself could be the Olympic mascot due to rights issues with the BBC and Disney. 'If we can't get Bluey as the mascot, why not the next best thing, which would be the people who designed Bluey?' she said. Ludo Studio was approached for comment. Drummond said that designing Olympic mascots was a risky enterprise. 'Trying to represent everything and everyone, you end up representing no one,' she said. The much-criticised Wenlock and Mandeville, mascots of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, were an example of what could go wrong. 'Behold the one-eyed compromise monster,' jeered the Toronto Globe and Mail at the time, comparing the mascots to 'a drunken one-night stand between a Teletubby and a Dalek'. 'I'm sure [the Brisbane mascot] should have some kind of a sense of humour about it,' Drummond said. 'I think it should represent our amazing wildlife in some shape or form. And beyond that, it's just a matter of opening it up to the community.' The Brisbane 2032 spokesperson would not say whether the design would be chosen through a public competition as was Borobi, the koala mascot of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Back in 2022, former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that the mascot would be chosen by public vote, while former tourism minister Stirling Hinchliffe hoped it would be an ibis. Palm cockatoos, koalas, dugongs and 'Fatso' the wombat, a joke mascot first proposed by comedians Roy and HG for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, have also featured in the discussion. After 24 hours Drummond's post had 1300 likes and plenty of supportive comments. 'If I was the CEO of Olympics you'd have the job yesterday'; 'You would be perfect for this'; and 'Olympics! Hire this woman now!' were some of the responses. A Queenslander currently based in Melbourne, Drummond said that her Instagram post was aimed less at the Organising Committee and more at creative agencies. 'I think if I could pair up with an advertising agency that I could trust to do a good job, that would probably be the best scenario in all of this,' she said.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Bluey's Big Play: a family-friendly theatrical adventure
Bluey's Big Play is an adaptation of the BAFTA and Emmy® Award-winning series produced by Ludo Studio Image: Supplied This winter, families across South Africa can look forward to a highly anticipated theatrical experience as the beloved characters from the hit animated series prepare to take the stage. Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show is set to make its African debut at the renowned Artscape in Cape Town from Thursday, 26 June until Sunday, 06 July 2025, before moving to The Teatro at Montecasino in Johannesburg from Wednesday, 09 July to Sunday, 20 July 2025. Excitement is building for fans eager to witness how these endearing characters come to life on stage. The show, based on an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, promises to deliver a delightful blend of music, laughter, and family-friendly fun, bringing a new dimension to the acclaimed television series. Bluey's Big Play is an adaptation of the BAFTA and Emmy® Award-winning series, produced by Ludo Studio. Audiences will be treated to a dazzling display featuring larger-than-life puppets, skillfully operated by talented puppeteers who embody the spirit of Bluey, Bingo, Mum, and Dad. Music is provided by Joff Bush, the show's original composer, ensuring a lively performance that resonates with audiences of all ages. The storyline follows Bluey and her family throughout an entire day, showcasing their playful antics as they disrupt Dad's desire for a lazy afternoon. With clever games and imaginative escapades, the siblings' determination is sure to incite laughter and joy, capturing the essence of childhood adventures that fans have come to adore. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ For those wishing to immerse themselves further in the experience, the production offers two special Meet and Greet options. Fans can purchase upsell tickets across various price points for a chance to meet Bluey after the show, while VIP tickets include premium seating and a front-row encounter with the lovable character. Since its inaugural performance in Australia,Bluey's Big Play has garnered praise and captivated audiences globally, with successful tours across the UK, Ireland, Canada, the US, Europe, Singapore, and the UAE. Each performance has drawn millions of fans, attesting to the show's universal charm and appeal. Presented by BBC Studios and Andrew Kayin partnership with Windmill Theatre Co and local live entertainment promoter Showtime Management, this production holds the promise of creating unforgettable memories for South African families this winter school holiday season.
Sydney Morning Herald
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Heads up, squirts: Lego Bluey is here – but not everyone is happy
'We knew this launch should be for preschoolers. That's why we took these decisions,' she said. 'We know there are a lot of adult fans out there, but that was a choice made from the beginning.' Unusually for the brand, the Lego Bluey sets, which went on sale on Sunday, June 1, come in two streams: for ages 4 and older, and in the Duplo range for toddlers. And looking at both, you do recognise the 'trifficult' design challenges. Bluey' s main characters – Mum, Dad, Bingo and Bluey – as sketched by creator Joe Brumm and his collaborators at Brisbane's Ludo Studio, mostly consist of a rectangle. Perfect for Lego bricks, you might think, but not at all in proportion to standard Lego 'minifigs', first designed by Jens Nygaard Knudsen and released in 1978. Cardazzo said her team worked hard to arrive at a 'sweet spot'. 'We started to sketch what could be the Bluey DNA direction, and then what would be the opposite extreme, with the Lego DNA. 'But then we tested with the preschoolers and tried to understand what were their expectations. And, definitely, playability is the number-one like for preschoolers. These characters need to be able to move, and to fit into the Lego system.' Hence: no tails (which are instead painted on the back of the figures). Cardazzo said her team of about 15 designers approached the task by watching as many episodes as they could. Key scenes from The Beach, Ice Cream, Keepy Uppy and more were identified, then pitched to BBC Studios. 'What really helps is when the partner that we work with really loves and knows the brand,' the BBC's Tai said. 'Even without us saying, they'd already put tiny little gnomes in there, or Chattermax, those things that fans really pick up on.' Justin Rouillon, co-host of the Bluey's Brisbane podcast, which identifies the real-life locations found in the series, said the Lego collaboration was no surprise, given the show's massive audience. ' Bluey is a huge global brand, it's worth billions,' he said. 'Also, Bluey ties in well with Lego from that imaginative play standpoint.' Loading While generally positive about the sets, he said he was disappointed the house was 'just a facade'. 'It'd be great if you could build the entire Queenslander house that Bluey lives in,' he said. Rouillon's co-host, Lou Bromley, liked the figurines, but agreed Brisbane viewers might be disappointed in the house. 'I think it'd be great if we could have had the verandah or the deck. They've gone for that old-school townhouse style. 'I love that they've got a dunny in there. They nailed the soft yellow of the faded paint. But the steps, the railings, the tin roof?' There is one aspect that Bromley said the brand definitely 'hasn't pulled off'. 'It's a woeful backyard tree, because here in Brisbane, we know that's not what a poinciana [looks like].' Jacen Carpenter, a Longreach-based Lego collector and builder who has created his own interpretations of Bluey 's characters, is concerned that the figurines look too tall. 'The figures might have looked better if the sculpted head fit over the torso slightly, like Ewoks in Lego Star Wars, to give Bluey and her family the squat, cylindrical look of the cartoon,' he said. While Cardazzo said no one from her team had visited Brisbane for the project, Tai said the team at Ludo were closely consulted and supplied drawings to assist the designers. Cardazzo had to keep her work top secret for many months. Her own five-year-old daughter was able to test prototypes, but had to play the 'Quiet Game' about it afterwards. The designer would not be drawn on whether Bluey would be a brand perennial (like, say, Lego Marvel) or a limited-run collector's item. One suspects that it's in the hands of kids – and the wallets of their parents. Loading At the Cannon Hill Kmart at 11am on Sunday, the Lego Bluey pickings were already looking slim. Manly mum Brittany and her two sons, 7 and 3, quickly grabbed the last box of Lego Duplo Bluey's Family House. 'It's such a historic brand, and then collaborating with Bluey, I thought, 'if you don't get in early, you won't get one',' she said.
