Stellar Creative Lab is excited to announce they have launched a brand new Toronto-based studio with a focus on high-end series and feature projects, offering both in-studio artist space and hybrid/remote working. The first production will be an adult CG animated series for a well-known streaming service.
Line Producer Tracy Grant, based in Toronto, will be leading the team and has already started the recruiting and hiring process. βOur goal is to start with smaller teams in multiple departments, bringing brilliant Toronto and Ontario talent to this new series and the Stellar Creative Culture.β
Stellar Creative Lab, launched five years ago in Vancouver and was founded by industry veterans Hasmi (Giakoumis) Ferguson (Babar), formerly of Toronto, and Bert Van Brande (Sausage Party).
Van Brande says, βOur focus, from the day we launched, has been to deliver feature-quality, no matter what project we are producing. Stellarβs past credits are proof-positive of the power and flexibility of the pipeline weβve designed and developed in five short years,β which include DisneyβsΒ Baymax Dreams Real-time Shorts with Unity, Fancy Nancy, Golden AgeΒ andΒ The Addams FamilyΒ CG-feature marketing tool kit.
Stellarβs Vancouver Studio is currently working on Marvel Studios series including multiple seasons of Emmy NominatedΒ What If?β¦Β and the recently announcedΒ Marvel Zombies. “Stellar is thrilled to be working in the Marvel Universe with Marvel Studiosβ exceptional teams. We are so proud of our team for creating such world class content for our wonderful partners at Marvel,β says Ferguson.
Just wrapping production at Stellar are the last few episodes of DreamWorks Television AnimationβsΒ Kung Fu Panda: Dragon Knight. This fresh instalment of theΒ Kung Fu PandaΒ franchise launched on Netflix Canada mid-July in the Top Ten.
Dave Dick, Story Director on 22 Episodes of the newΒ Kung Fu PandaΒ series says of his time at Stellar, βWe try to create an environment where people deliver their best work with the tools and support to learn and keep honing their craft.β Dick is the Stellar Unit Director and overall AD on the new adult CG series that will be launching teams in Toronto.
When asked why launch in Ontario now, Ferguson responds that βWe have been inundated with applications from experienced, exceptional Ontario artists who want to work on high quality adult properties, something Stellar has garnered a reputation for producing. I spent my formative years in Animation in Toronto, starting at Nelvana and I look forward to working with past colleagues and new artists from Ontario once again.β