What To Know
- The origins of skydance animationSkydance Animation was born in 2017 when the giant Skydance Media decided to open an animation subdivision and signed an agreement with a Madrid-based animation studio.
- A film directed by a co-founder of PixarProjects involving celebrated directors from major animated filmsA recent merger agreement valued at $8 billion with Paramount Global is set to form New Paramount by mid-2025.
Currently, Skydance Animation is gradually becoming one of the leading references in global animation cinema. With movies like Luck and the recent Enchanted on streaming platforms, they aim to continue growing in the coming years.
the origins of skydance animation
Skydance Animation was born in 2017 when the giant Skydance Media decided to open an animation subdivision and signed an agreement with a Madrid-based animation studio. Three years later, they absorbed the Spanish company to make it a subsidiary of their Los Angeles headquarters.
a peek inside skydance animation madrid
The Madrid location is one of the largest branches of the company, employing nearly 700 people. “This is Spain’s largest animation studio,” notes a prominent producer. Just this fact highlights the ambition level of this project.
- State-of-the-art facilities
- Collaborative work environment
- Focus on original content and memorable characters
creating animated magic
A character designer explains that creating a project begins with an idea often starting from a script draft. The creative process involves concept maps and sketches for character design, shared among artists for input.
The team engages in extensive research to conceptualize characters by studying movement patterns, hairstyles, clothing, and facial expressions. This information is shared across departments leading to 3D modeling.
the collaborative global effort
The collaboration between Madrid and U.S.-based professionals involves constant communication to bring projects to life. In Spain, much of the art and 3D work takes place, highlighting its pivotal role in Skydance’s global operations.
- Artistic collaboration across continents
- Advanced 3D modeling techniques
skydance animation’s american influence
The central courtyard at Skydance Animation Madrid features American-style amenities like food machines and recreational facilities. The studio’s culture reflects influences from significant figures in American animation history.
One notable addition to their team was a former Pixar co-founder who joined as head of animation amidst controversy but added substantial credibility to Skydance.
a promising future: expanding horizons
The success of Enchanted marked significant growth for Skydance Animation by attracting new talent and setting higher future goals through its Netflix partnership. Upcoming releases include projects directed by renowned filmmakers.
- A film directed by a co-founder of Pixar
- Projects involving celebrated directors from major animated films
A recent merger agreement valued at $8 billion with Paramount Global is set to form New Paramount by mid-2025; however, there’s optimism that Skydance Animation will continue its current momentum post-merger.
