It’s been a busy Q1 for Kilkenny animation studio, Lighthouse Studios, who kicked off the new year in style with the launch of the critically acclaimed El Deafo on Apple TV+ in January. The three-part animated series is based on Cece Bell’s New York Times bestselling graphic novel memoir of the same name and tells the story of a young Cece who suffers a sudden loss of hearing and must learn to adapt to the world around her. Luckily, her superhero alter ego, El Deafo, is on hand to help out. Produced by Lighthouse Studios, El Deafo was recently announced as a finalist in the 2022 Prix Jeunesse Awards – watch this space!
Hot on the heels of El Deafo came February’s launch of The Cuphead Show! – Netflix’s highly anticipated adaptation of the Cuphead video game from Studio MDHR for which Lighthouse handled the animation from layout to locked picture. The series follows the same visual style as the Fleischer-era inspired game and has won the hearts of fans new and old across the globe, with Cartoon Brew dubbing it “a love letter to 1930s animation.” The Cuphead Show! is now streaming exclusively on Netflix.
Between these exciting launches nestled the release of the first trailer for The Bob’s Burgers Movie, due for theatrical release in May of this year, which Lighthouse also worked on alongside partners Mercury Filmworks for Bento Box Entertainment.
Exciting times, and not bad for a studio that just turned five in February!
Amidst the launches and birthday celebrations came more good news, this time in the form of Michael Downey, who has just been appointed Talent Management Director for the studio. In his new role, Downey’s primary goal will be to source out mid to senior-level animation talent, initiating and driving a strategic and holistic ‘top to tail’ approach to identifying and retaining talent to work on Lighthouse’s original IP development and service project slates. “With the flourishing animation business in Ireland and around the world, there is a massive need to bring in high-level talent to handle Lighthouse’s burgeoning production slate,” said Downey recently. “I am thrilled to work with Claire Finn [Managing Director] and the entire studio team to continue building a world-class studio.”
What’s next at Lighthouse? Stay ‘tooned’ for more updates!