Helsinki-based children-focused animation studio, Gigglebug Entertainment, has launched In Stitches, a new sub-label dedicated to creating adult animated content. The new banner will develop “bold, offbeat, and experimental comedy content,” tapping talent from across Gigglebug’s 100 in-house artists and designers, looking to develop their previously unpitched adult-targeted concepts. The label will operate under the direction of Gigglebug’s management team: CEO and Co-Founder Anttu Harlin; Creative Director and Co-Founder Joonas Utti; and Managing Director Beth Parker
In Stitches’ first project, Soap, follows the escapades of a bar of hotel soap who just wants a clean getaway. The concept for the 20 x 22’ animated workplace comedy originated from Sasil Leirana, a 2D Animator at Gigglebug, presented at an internal pitching and co-creation session. Tobi Wilson and Paul Rice (The Amazing World of Gumball) will write the show. Harlin and Utti will serve as producers, with Elliott Palmer (CBBC, Nickelodeon, Big Thinkers) serving as Development Executive. In Stitches will present the project to the international market at MIPCOM.
In the series, when affairs unravel marriages, a drug deal blows up (literally), or a serial killer repaints the walls red, who is there to clean up the mess? Soap. Meet Suds and her pals, the cleaning products in Room 833 of The Tufnell, a large high-end hotel, who are always cleaning up behind the scenes.
“We have an amazing pool of talent under our roof and browsing their personal portfolios continues to blow our mind – they have so many fresh, daring and hilarious ideas that we’re eager to develop, alongside our family-focused work,” said Harlin. “In Stitches is still very much in keeping with Gigglebug’s DNA, as it’s also driven by the desire to spread joy, but it will enable us to bring boundary-pushing and more risky content for adult audiences, which encourages them to have a laugh at the bare, naked and surreal truth of being alive. Soap perfectly encapsulates our vision for the banner, and we are excited to have the remarkably talented Tobi and Paul bringing their comedic genius to the project – as well as for our animation team to flex their creative muscles in a new genre.”
Whitney is a freelance writer focusing on VFX-driven fantasy film & TV as well as preschool animation.
