Latest news with #stopMotion
CBC
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
With short episodes and help of yellow space blob, new show Bumpadoo finds 'path forward' for kids' TV
Social Sharing An extraterrestrial yellow blob, a curious preschooler and thousands of painstakingly crafted stop-motion frames come together in Bumpadoo, a new children's show aiming to make science and math fun. Bumpadoo came out on YouTube and TVO online Aug. 8 and will broadcast on TVO Aug. 17. The short stop-motion show follows four-year-old LiLi, voiced by Olivia Yang, and her shape-shifting alien friend Bumpi. The pair learn about and discuss topics related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), such as the difference between up and down, and why you get hungry. The show, created by Carmen Albano and Celeste Koon, was first pitched in 2022 and the first season was later shot in a Toronto studio. Characters LiLi and Bumpi may be besties on screen, but in the studio they "can't go anywhere near each other," said Hamilton-raised Evan DeRushie, who is the show's stop-motion director. "Bumpi, we love him, but he's messy," he said, explaining how Bumpi's materials don't allow him to be physically with the rest of the cast. "He's oily, he's made of plasticine and he gets everywhere." That made production of the show a bit challenging, he said, as scenes between the two had to be filmed separately. Stop-motion animation is already careful, slow work, with still images put together to make movement on screen. The show was shot at 12 frames per second, and episodes are around three and a half minutes long. The math says that would be just over 2,500 frames per episode of handmade movements, not counting the scenes that had to be shot multiple times because of Bumpi's messiness. Hamilton a big influence for animator DeRushie grew up in Hamilton's Westdale neighbourhood. He said it was a co-op placement at Cable 14 while he was in school that set him up to eventually create his own studio, Stop Motion Department. "There's just a lot of patient people that have been there for a long time. And they show you how to coil cables and how to be respectful of the talent when they come in and how to manage a room of people," he said. "There's a lot of skills there that I think were really influential for me." DeRushie is now based in Toronto, where his studio is. Stop Motion Department now runs co-op programs with students from Sheridan College and Ontario College of Art & Design University. Some of the students there also took part in the making of Bumpadoo, said DeRushie. Them and the rest of the animation staff "really embraced the show and these characters," he said. "We were all quoting Bumpi all throughout the day." DeRushie said the animation team built the characters by hand and then photograph each frame. "It's a bit of just a photo collage of photos of props that are stuck together," he said. 'A lot of pressures' on children's TV industry The price and effort that goes into stop-motion animation is one of a few reasons why the episodes are short, said Hamilton-based producer Kat Hayduk. "In children's media, things are generally shorter," said Hayduk, founder of Turtlebox Productions, the company behind the show. "But this was also designed to be a digital-first show … So we put it together as little three and a half minute shorts. It's also a way to build the brand and see where it goes." Hayduk said with the children's television industry struggling, partly due to kids turning to YouTube content that may lack educational value, the show's digital nature was also intentional. "There's been a lot of pressures on the industry right now, but creators will find a way and creating a show like this that kids can find online is one path forward," she said. Albano and Koon originally pitched the show to Turtlebox Productions, led by Hayduk and her partner Cam, and the couple was "charmed by it immediately." "We loved the look of it," said Hayduk, "and we loved the pitch." The show is a comedy, she said, "which kids love and respond to," but it is also educational, exploring preschool STEM concepts such as shapes, colours and textures. "I like to think that the show is inspiring a little bit of STEM education in kids," said Hayduk. "But it's also the beautiful nature of the animation and the [colours], that could inspire some kid to become an artist." Hayduk said the team is already working toward a second season of Bumpadoo and producing "at least twice as many episodes" in 2026 to push the show internationally. "Who knows what Bumpadoo could become. We could see the potential for spinoffs and potentially some fun toys or books," she said.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Key Catalan Titles at the 2025 Annecy Animation Festival and MIFA Market
For the third year in a row, an animated feature produced by Catalan companies will feature in Annecy's main competition. Following strong showings from the eventual Oscar nominee 'Robot Dreams' in 2023 and 'Rock Bottom' in 2024, the region's first-ever stop-motion feature 'Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake' will premiere in 2025. 'Olivia' isn't the only Catalan title looking to make waves at Annecy this year. Below, we take a closer look at some of the hottest upcoming Catalan productions set to impress at Annecy and its accompanying MIFA Market. More from Variety 'Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake' Director Irene Iborra on Helping Kids Understand Big Feelings and Life Changes in a 'Luminous, Gentle Way' Laying the Foundation: How Catalonia Is Building a Global Animation Powerhouse Xilam and TF1 Team Up on Animated Series 'Turbo Twins' Ahead of Annecy, MIFA 'Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake' Director: Irene Iborra Production: Cornelius Films, Citoplasmas, Panique!, Bigaro Films Spanish Distributor/Sales Agent: Filmax / Pyramide Films Screening: Premiere on June 9, 10:30, Grande Salle The jewel in this year's Catalan crown at Annecy, 'Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake' is the first-ever stop-motion feature produced in Catalonia and only the third from Spain. Playing in the festival's main competition, this heartfelt and socially conscious family feature follows young Olivia as she navigates a world that suddenly seems out of sync when her single-parent, middle-class family is evicted from their Barcelona apartment. Using imaginative and colorful visual metaphors, the film touches on childhood anxiety and resilience in a manner with which audiences of all ages can empathize. The collaborative production brings together studios from Spain, France, Belgium and Chile, marking a cross-cultural effort that enriches its narrative depth. 'Pink Punk Delta' (fka 'The Girl and the Flamingo') Director: Alba Sotorra Production: Alba Sotorra Productions, Artichoke (Slovakia), Pájaro (Chile) Pitch Event: June 12 – MIFA Feature Film Pitching Sessions – June 11, 9:00 and 10:45 Described as a punk feminist road movie in animated form, 'Pink Punk Delta' dives into themes of identity, queerness and rebellion. From Catalan super-producer and prolific filmmaker Alba Sotorra – producer of 2024 Contrechamp player 'Rock Bottom' – this project combines vibrant 2D animation with a raw, uncompromising narrative style. The project is currently in development and already generating buzz. The pitch promises a bold new voice in European adult animation. 'A Dangerous Journey' Director: Lucija Stojevic Production: Noon Films Screening: Ibermedia Next Pitch and networking event – June 11, 17:15 Blending documentary and fiction, this animated feature explores the treacherous paths of migration through the lens of personal testimony. Director Stojevic crafts a haunting visual journey that draws from real-world accounts, aiming to raise awareness with empathy and artistry. 'The Origin of Experience' ('El origen de la experiencia') Director: Zulu González Production: Cornelius Films (Catalonia), Hampa Studio (Spain), The42Film (Mexico), El Taller del Chucho (Mexico), La Corriente del Golfo (Mexico), Midralgar (France) Screening: Ibermedia Next Pitch and networking event – June 11, 17:15 A philosophical exploration of childhood, memory, and perception, this visually striking film mixes abstract storytelling with traditional animation. González's direction promises a cerebral but emotionally resonant work that challenges the conventions of animated cinema. 'Aya in the Desert' Director: Julia Horrillo Plá Producer: Alhena Production Presentation: Women in Animation from Spain – June 12, 10:00 Intended for adult audiences, this feature from first-timer Julia Horrillo Plá follows Awa, a 13-year-old girl fleeing war in the Ivory Coast, who is intercepted on the coast of Cádiz while disguised as a boy. Taken to a sports center, she recalls her perilous journey and separation from her mother. Drawing strength from imagined tales of warrior Akwa Boni, Awa finds resilience and hope as she tries to contact her cousin in Seville and dreams of reuniting with her mother. Currently in development. MIFA MARKET STANDOUTS 'The Treasure of Barracuda' Director: Adrià García Production: Inicia Films, Hampa Studio, Belvision Adapted from the beloved children's book, this colorful pirate adventure is full of charm and life lessons. Aimed at family audiences, it's scheduled for a Spanish theatrical release in October 2025. Helming is García, the rated director of Filmax's admired 'Nocturna,' and 'My Family and the Wolf,' from Didier Brunner's top French animation producer Folivari 'Hanna's Forgotten Christmas' Director: Elena Ruiz Guitart Production: Érase una vez films, Miyagi Films, Veligandu AIE A cozy holiday sequel to 'Hanna and the Monsters,' this warm tale follows young Hanna as she rekindles joy in her town. With its December 2025 release, it's poised to become a seasonal favorite. 'Black Moth' Producers: Format: 26 x 22' | Target Age: 7–12 A female-led superhero eco-adventure series about a girl whose music turns her into an environmental crusader. With themes of inclusivity, sustainability, and empowerment, Season 1 is already fully funded and due in autumn 2025, with Season 2 in development. 'My Little Heroes' Format: 52 x 11' Producers: Peekaboo Animation, Fabrique Fantastique Targeted at kids 4–8 years old, this educational and adventurous comedy series introduces kids to famous figures like Mandela and Mozart in their childhood, blending humor and historical insight. Based on a popular book series, it was honored with the Audience Award for Best Project Pitch at the 2023 CEE Animation Forum. 'Under the Sofa' Producer: Teidees Format: 52 x 7' A whimsical comedy-adventure about discarded household objects making a life together under a family's sofa. Highlighting reuse and the hidden value of forgotten items, this vibrant and cartoony series offers humor with an environmental twist. 'Jasmine & Jambo' Producer: Teidees Format: Feature Based on the successful animated series of the same name, this feature project turns on Jasmine, a curious girl, and Jambo, her loyal elephant friend. They journey through a vibrant jungle, meeting various animals and facing challenges. The film highlights themes of friendship, courage and nature conservation. With stunning visuals and a captivating storyline, it appeals to all ages, emphasizing the bond between humans and animals and the beauty of the natural world. Best of Variety All the Godzilla Movies Ranked Final Oscar Predictions: International Feature – United Kingdom to Win Its First Statuette With 'The Zone of Interest' 'Game of Thrones' Filming Locations in Northern Ireland to Open as Tourist Attractions
