Janimation
Encyclopedia
Janimation, Inc. is a turnkey
digital content studio and production facility based in Dallas, Texas
. Co-founded in 1993 by CEO and Chief Creative Director, Stephen P. Gaconnier, the company focuses on conceptualizing and producing visual effects
, motion graphics, videos, and animation for broadcast commercials, episodic television, interactive, webisode
s, corporate communications, feature films, and video games.
A partial list of national clients include, LeapFrog
, Hilton, Procter & Gamble
, Waste Management
, Nokia
, Miller Brewing
, PepsiCo
, Bell Helicopter, McDonalds, Kmart, and Pennzoil
.
. In 1998 Janimation produced its first HD cartoon short film, titled Life, which was directed by Steve Gaconnier.
In 2000, Steve Gaconnier became the sole owner by purchasing Jana Oleksinski's stake in the company.
For Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams
, Janimation's work on the movie's sea monster represented the company's first contribution to a feature film. The sea monster artwork was featured on the cover of both Production Reality and Post magazines and appeared in Avid's Softimage advertising at that time. The movie critic, Roger Ebert, gave his opinions on the special effects of the sea monster in his review of the movie. Janimation later re-teamed with Troublemaker Studios
on their work for Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over
in 2003.
2009 brought numerous interactive/on-line awards for their collaborative expertise in the new media space including websites, microsites, and rich media banners.
and east of Deep Ellum
in Dallas. The studio consists of a 1250 sq. ft. sound stage with a 16-feet tall cyclorama
. The studio also contains editorial and sound production suites. The current office space was renovated from a run-down warehouse into a high-end production facility.
Janimation on Internet Movie Database
.
Janimation and its artists have contributed visual effects for feature films or title sequences to the following films: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
, X-Men Origins: Wolverine
, The Legend of Santa Claus, Iron Man
, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
, The Visitor
, The Ant Bully
, Spy Kids 2 and Spy Kids 3D, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, The Ringer, Lilo & Stitch
, The Lion King
, Brother Bear
, Ace Ventura
, Olive, the Other Reindeer
, Lonesome Dove
, Coming to America
, Nightmare on Elm Street
, Monkeybone
, Brotherhood of the Wolf
, Aaagh! It's the Mr. Hell Show
, and all three Robocop films
.
Turnkey
A turn-key or a turn-key project is a type of project that is constructed by a developer and sold or turned over to a buyer in a ready-to-use condition.-Common usage:...
digital content studio and production facility based in Dallas, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Co-founded in 1993 by CEO and Chief Creative Director, Stephen P. Gaconnier, the company focuses on conceptualizing and producing visual effects
Visual effects
Visual effects are the various processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action shoot. Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or...
, motion graphics, videos, and animation for broadcast commercials, episodic television, interactive, webisode
Webisode
A webisode is a short episode which airs initially as Internet television, either download or stream as opposed to first airing on broadcast or cable television. The format can be used as a preview, a promotion, as part of a collection of shorts, or a commercial.A webisode can be an episode...
s, corporate communications, feature films, and video games.
A partial list of national clients include, LeapFrog
Leapfrog
Leapfrog is a children's game in which players vault over each other's stooped backs. The first participant rests hands on knees and bends over, which is called giving a back. Games of this sort have been called by this name since at least the late sixteenth century.The next player places hands on...
, Hilton, Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactures a wide range of consumer goods....
, Waste Management
Waste Management, Inc
Waste Management, Inc. is a waste management, comprehensive waste, and environmental services company in North America. Founded in 1894, the company is headquartered in Suite 4000 at the First City Tower in Downtown Houston, Texas, in the United States....
, Nokia
Nokia
Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...
, Miller Brewing
Miller Brewing Company
The Miller Brewing Company is an American beer brewing company owned by the United Kingdom-based SABMiller. Its regional headquarters are located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the company has brewing facilities in Albany, Georgia; Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; Eden, North Carolina; Fort Worth, Texas;...
, PepsiCo
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
, Bell Helicopter, McDonalds, Kmart, and Pennzoil
Pennzoil
Pennzoil is an American oil company founded in Los Angeles, California in 1913. In 1955, it was acquired by Oil City, Pennsylvania company South Penn Oil, a former branch of Standard Oil. In 1963, South Penn Oil merged with Zapata Petroleum; the merged company took the Pennzoil name. During the...
.
History
Founded in 1993 by Stephen Gaconnier and Jana Oleksinski, Janimation has grown into an award-winning facility noted for its work in commercials, feature films, and video game trailers. Throughout the late 1990s, Janimation received press for work done on animation in commercials for Universal Studios FloridaUniversal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Florida is an American theme park located in Orlando, Florida. Opened on June 7, 1990, the park's theme is the entertainment industry, in particular movies and television. Universal Studios Florida inspires its guests to "ride the movies," and it features numerous attractions and...
. In 1998 Janimation produced its first HD cartoon short film, titled Life, which was directed by Steve Gaconnier.
In 2000, Steve Gaconnier became the sole owner by purchasing Jana Oleksinski's stake in the company.
For Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams is a 2002 American family film, featuring spies and science fantasy elements. It was written and directed by Robert Rodriguez, and is the second film in the Spy Kids film series, which began with 2001's Spy Kids. Its plot is loosely based on Dr...
, Janimation's work on the movie's sea monster represented the company's first contribution to a feature film. The sea monster artwork was featured on the cover of both Production Reality and Post magazines and appeared in Avid's Softimage advertising at that time. The movie critic, Roger Ebert, gave his opinions on the special effects of the sea monster in his review of the movie. Janimation later re-teamed with Troublemaker Studios
Troublemaker Studios
Troublemaker Studios is a film production company founded and owned by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez and producer Elizabeth Avellan. The company is based in Austin, Texas and is located at the former site of the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport...
on their work for Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over is a 2003 American action-adventure family film directed by Robert Rodriguez and the third film in the Spy Kids series. It was released in the United States on July 25, 2003. The film featured the return of many cast members from the past two films, although most were in...
in 2003.
2009 brought numerous interactive/on-line awards for their collaborative expertise in the new media space including websites, microsites, and rich media banners.
Studio
In 2008, Janimation moved from its Exposition Ave. office into its new and expanded 22,000 sq. ft. studio on East Side Avenue, just north of Fair ParkFair Park
Dallas Fair Park is a recreational and educational complex located in Dallas, Texas . The complex is registered as a Dallas Landmark, National Historic Landmark and is home to nine museums, six performance facilities, a lagoon, and the largest Ferris wheel in North America...
and east of Deep Ellum
Deep Ellum
Deep Ellum is an arts and entertainment district near downtown in east Dallas, Texas . It lies directly east of the elevated I-45/US 75 freeway and extends to Exposition Avenue, connected to downtown by, from north to south, Pacific, Elm, Main, Commerce, and Canton streets...
in Dallas. The studio consists of a 1250 sq. ft. sound stage with a 16-feet tall cyclorama
Cyclorama
For the classical album Cyclorama, see Jonathan Goldstein; For the rock album Cyclorama by Styx, see Cyclorama ; for the theatrical backdrop, see Cyclorama...
. The studio also contains editorial and sound production suites. The current office space was renovated from a run-down warehouse into a high-end production facility.
Filmography
- The VisitorThe Visitor (2008 film)The Visitor is a 2008 American drama film written and directed by Thomas McCarthy and produced by Michael London and Mary Jane Skalski. Executive producers were Jeff Skoll and Omar Amanat...
(2007) - Visual Effects Company
- The Ringer (2005) - Visual Effects Company
- Spy Kids 3-D: Game OverSpy Kids 3-D: Game OverSpy Kids 3-D: Game Over is a 2003 American action-adventure family film directed by Robert Rodriguez and the third film in the Spy Kids series. It was released in the United States on July 25, 2003. The film featured the return of many cast members from the past two films, although most were in...
(2003) - Visual Effects Company - Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams (2002) - Visual Effects Company
Janimation on Internet Movie Database
Internet Movie Database
Internet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
.
Janimation and its artists have contributed visual effects for feature films or title sequences to the following films: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is an American adventure comedy film directed by Shawn Levy, and starring Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Robin Williams, and Steve Coogan. The film is a sequel to Night at the Museum...
, X-Men Origins: Wolverine
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a 2009 American action film based on the Marvel Comics' fictional character Wolverine. The fourth installment in the X-Men film series, it was released worldwide on May 1, 2009...
, The Legend of Santa Claus, Iron Man
Iron Man (film)
Iron Man is a 2008 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film stars Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark, an industrialist and master engineer who builds a powered exoskeleton and becomes the technologically advanced superhero, Iron...
, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events is a 2004 black comedy film directed by Brad Silberling. It is an adaptation of the The Bad Beginning, The Reptile Room, and The Wide Window, being the first three books in A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket...
, The Visitor
The Visitor (2008 film)
The Visitor is a 2008 American drama film written and directed by Thomas McCarthy and produced by Michael London and Mary Jane Skalski. Executive producers were Jeff Skoll and Omar Amanat...
, The Ant Bully
The Ant Bully (film)
The Ant Bully is a 2006 American computer-animated film written and directed by John A. Davis based on the 1999 children's book of the same name by John Nickle...
, Spy Kids 2 and Spy Kids 3D, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, The Ringer, Lilo & Stitch
Lilo & Stitch
This article is about the movie. For the television series, see Lilo & Stitch: The Series.Lilo & Stitch is a 2002 American animated feature produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released on June 21, 2002...
, The Lion King
The Lion King
The Lion King is a 1994 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the 32nd feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series...
, Brother Bear
Brother Bear
Brother Bear is a 2003 American animated fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures, the forty-fourth animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics. In the film, an Inuit boy pursues a bear in revenge for a battle that he provoked in which...
, Ace Ventura
Ace Ventura
Ace Ventura is a fictional character, created by screenwriters Jack Bernstein, Tom Shadyac and Steve Oedekerk. Ace was played by Jim Carrey in the films He was voiced by Michael Daingerfield in the animated television series.-Biography:Ace is a...
, Olive, the Other Reindeer
Olive, the Other Reindeer
Olive, the Other Reindeer is a CGI animated Christmas television special written by Steve Young, and directed by Oscar Moore. The feature was produced by Matt Groening's The Curiosity Company and animated by DNA Productions...
, Lonesome Dove
Lonesome Dove series
The Lonesome Dove series refers to a series of four western novels written by Larry McMurtry and the four television mini-series based upon them.-Novels:# Lonesome Dove # Streets of Laredo # Dead Man's Walk...
, Coming to America
Coming to America
Coming to America is a 1988 comedy film directed by John Landis. The screenplay was written by David Sheffield and Barry W. Blaustein, from a story by Eddie Murphy, who also stars in the film. Murphy plays an African prince, who heads to the United States in hopes of finding a woman he can marry...
, Nightmare on Elm Street
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010 film)
A Nightmare on Elm Street is a 2010 American slasher film directed by Samuel Bayer, and written by Wesley Strick and Eric Heisserer. The film stars Jackie Earle Haley, Kyle Gallner, Rooney Mara, Katie Cassidy, Thomas Dekker and Kellan Lutz...
, Monkeybone
Monkeybone
Monkeybone is a 2001 American comedy film that combines live-action with stop-motion animation. It was based on Kaja Blackley's graphic novel Dark Town...
, Brotherhood of the Wolf
Brotherhood of the Wolf
Brotherhood of the Wolf is a 2001 French film directed by Christophe Gans, starring Samuel Le Bihan and Mark Dacascos, and written by Gans and Stéphane Cabel...
, Aaagh! It's the Mr. Hell Show
Aaagh! It's the Mr. Hell Show
Aaagh! It's the Mr Hell Show is an animated comedy show created by David Max Freedman & Alan Gilbey after the greeting card line about a painfully honest demon created by cartoonist Hugh MacLeod. The series only ran for one season of thirteen episodes in 2001/2002, produced by a British-Canadian...
, and all three Robocop films
RoboCop (franchise)
The RoboCop franchise, began in 1987 with the film RoboCop. RoboCop 2, followed in 1990 and RoboCop 3 in 1993. There have also been various television series, video game and comic book adaptations. The franchise has made over $109,715,854 USD worldwide.-Future:Sony Pictures was working on a new...
.
Gaming
In 2005, Janimation produced the award winning video game trailer to John Woo's Stranglehold. The Stranglehold trailer received praise at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).Awards
- 2009 Addy’s, Mobius, Tele, and Clio Awards
- 2008 Lone Star Emmy for Media Project's "A Fair to Remember"
- Best of E3 for John Woo's Stranglehold trailer
- 2008 Online Media, Marketing & Advertising (OMMA) Award for "Best Video Appearing in a Banner"
- Big Kahuna Award for Best CG Commercial "Harrah's Closet Space"
- Featured work at AFI, Siggraph, AICP event
Cover art
- Selected for magazine cover art for
- Screen Magazine (2x, including May 29, 2006)
- Post Magazine (4x, including September 2002, February 2004, and April 2008)
- Computer Graphics World (February 2004)
- Boards Magazine
- Millimeter (April 1997)
- Production Reality