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Next Generation Storytelling – 10 High-Concept Projects Announced for Animation Innovation and Immersive Development Fund

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Next Generation Storytelling – 10 High-Concept Projects Announced for Animation Innovation and Immersive Development Fund

Posted: 24th October 2022

Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland in partnership with Animation Ireland are delighted to announce, with the support of Immersive Technologies Skillnet, the 10 animation and interactive company recipients of this year’s Animation Innovation and Immersive Development Fund for 2022.

The €350,000 fund continues Screen Ireland’s ambition to highlight Ireland as a centre of excellence in animation, in diversifying the scale and breadth of what the industry has to offer. It designed to allow the sector to explore new opportunities offered by emerging technologies, support the development of IP and new, innovative ways of storytelling.

The successful projects and concepts selected for the fund range from Algorithm’s tourable, immersive experience following storms across the Atlantic Ocean; an educational app introducing younger children to the periodic table and STEM from studio Turnip + Duck; and several immersive storytelling experiences for a range of ages, telling the histories of Nano Nagle and the Theatre Royal in Dublin. New production processes will also be supported, including the use of motion capture technology for a high-concept short film from Out Left Productions.

Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive at Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, said:

“We are delighted to continue to support and invest in new avenues for animation storytelling, and to encourage continued innovation across the sector. Screen Ireland is committed to driving creative development across all screens, and these original and exciting concept proposals will allow companies to explore new immersive technologies and technical ambitions. We’re looking forward to seeing these projects come to life.”

The announcement was made as part of Furthr Festival, where Screen Ireland continues to support new opportunities for the screen sector across screens and formats. The 1 day conference, held on Friday, 21st October for the immersive technologies sector, played host to a curated programme of panel discussions, live demos and presentations focusing on innovation in the screen sector. This programme was in partnership with Animation Skillnet, Screen Skillnet and Immersive Technologies Skillnet and supported by Screen Ireland and Animation Ireland. Andrew Byrne, Head of Television at Screen Ireland, attended the festival and announced the new fund’s recipients.

Ronan McCabe, Chief Executive of Animation Ireland, said:

“Animation Ireland would like to congratulate all the successful funding recipients from the second Screen Ireland Innovation Funding round. Animation is at the cutting edge of new technology in the XR and Immersive space and the breadth and quality of the applications is very encouraging. We look forward to the delivery of the projects over the coming months and to seeing them showcased in 2023.”

The selected projects and companies for the 2022 Animation Concept and Innovation Fund are:

AdventurVerse Studios

AdventurVerse Studios is an Ireland-based studio that will focus on creating content for its first story world: The AdventurVerse.

Concept Proposal – The Wing-Ed Freaks:

The design and development of the 3D virtual production workflow and 3D characters that will live in the AdventurVerse. The AdventurVerse is a transmedia project that includes a short form animation series for TikTok and YouTube Shorts, a longer-form YouTube series, an audio cinema series and a serialised novel.

Algorithm

Algorithm is an immersive production studio specialising in content creation for live events and immersive mediums.

Concept Proposal – Landfall:

Developing the narrative experience for Landfall: a tourable, immersive experience that follows the journey of storms from the Atlantic Ocean across the island of Ireland.

and maps and plans

and maps and plans is an animation studio focusing on original high end animation productions specializing in hand drawn animation with a focus towards older audiences.

Concept Proposal – Wold:

The development of a playable prototype for Wold, an immersive music-controlled VR experience, where the viewer progresses through the animated story through musical interaction. Wold is an experience for all ages which can be enjoyed purely for the play of music and movement, but also incorporates interactive elements and gameplay.

Calico Media

Calico Media is an innovative cross-platform and immersive media production company producing developing cross-platform approaches to creating hybrid formats.

Concept Proposal – The Time Keeper:

The development of a mobile app for The Time Keeper: a cross-platform, immersive adventure aimed at children aged 8 – 12, that brings the history and heritage of global capital cities to life. Set in the walkable of a capital city like Dublin, the audience can engage in the narrative through various forms of hybrid media, both immersive and linear, using Augmented Reality (AR) and mobile gaming.

Emagine

Formed in 2001, Emagine has 20 years’ experience in creating inspirational digital content, with an extended focus on virtual reality storytelling.

Concept Proposal – Nano Nagle:

A development of an immersive narrative experience telling the history of education pioneer Nano Nagle in Virtual Reality.

Emily Aoibheann / 1iing heaney

Artist-dancer Emily Aoibheann and digital artist 1iing Heaney have been exploring the new motion and spatial capture technology, merged with aerial dance and animation.

Concept Proposal – Turrus:

The development and expansion of concept art and narrative for an immersive theatre experience: combining aspects of game engine technology in the integration of digital and live performance.

EZ Films

EZ Films, led by Ciarán Deeney and David Clarke, is a production company with a record of notable films, series, documentaries and a range of multi-platform productions.

Concept Proposal – Dublin Can Be Heaven:

The development of Dublin Can Be Heaven, a crowd-sourced VR project combining immersive technology and public participation that tells the social and community history of the Theatre Royal in Dublin, with participation from the public.

Little Moon Animation

Little Moon Animation is a CG studio based in Dublin and dedicated to creating compelling projects, full of character and imaginative story, brought to life through beautiful animation.

Concept Proposal – The Scavengers:

The development of an adventure role-playing game for children aged 8-12. The Scavengers is an immersive narrative and character-driven game with an eco-conscious message, exploring a futuristic version of Ireland.

Out Left Productions

Out Left Productions Ltd. is an award-winning, boutique production company that produces both animation and live-action content. 

Concept Proposal – Scrap Metal:

The use and implementation of motion capture technology to generate high-quality animation for a high-concept short film, Scrap Metal.

Turnip & Duck

Turnip + Duck is an award-winning, writer-led, creator studio that originates, develops, and produces kids’ comedy which is smart, funny, inclusive, and just a tad irreverent.

Concept Proposal – Atom Town:

Prototype development for an educational interactive app for children aged 4-7, built around the characters from the TV series Atom Town. A chemistry primer to introduce 4-7 year olds to the elements of the periodic table and STEM concepts, through a very light-touch, comedic prism.