Calabash Animation ((www.calabashanimation.com)) the traditional and digital animation studio led by Creative Director Wayne Brejcha and Executive Producer Sean Henry, will be making some room on their award’s shelf. The company was honored with two Silver Telly Awards (Telly’s highest honor) in the online category for the studio’s work on TrixToons, the branded entertainment initiative for General Mills’ Trix Yogurt. Two of the three 7-minute animated shorts – “Trixters” and “Trix: The Musical” were honored. The third short “Ride ’em Rabbit” won a Bronze Telly.
Set in virtual world of Rabbitropolis, TrixToons is an innovative multimedia campaign, created by Saatchi & Saatchi, New York, featuring a :30 TV spot and three Flash-based webisodes that viewers access by entering passcodes found on the lids of Trix Yogurt. The storylines feature the Trix Rabbit in a series hilarious off beat adventures battling his arch nemesis named Tibbar (Rabbit spelled backwards). "The Trixters” is a superhero adventure spoof. "Trix the Musical" features the Rabbit leading a rock band in a battle of the bands competition against Tibbar. The third short is a western theme called "Ride ‘Em Rabbit."
"We honored to have our work being recognized by the Tellys," Henry says. "Our animators came up with many clever ideas for TrixToons, it was inspiring to see everyone respond to the challenges the job presented,” Henry said. "We gave our animators a lot of creative freedom, and they had fun playing off of the great material given to us by the agency. Much of the visual comedy was very spontaneous."
With nearly 11,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, this year’s Telly Awards was one of the most successful and competitive they’ve had in their long history. Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and web commercials, videos and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.
About Calabash Animation
Led by Creative Director Wayne Brejcha and Executive Producer Sean Henry, Calabash Animation, Inc. ((www.calabashanimation.com)) is the Chicago, IL-based animation production studio, known for its award-winning cel, 3D and stop-motion animation for the advertising and entertainment industries. Calabash Animation is perhaps best known for their creative development of some of America’s most beloved brand icons. In addition to working on some of today’s top advertising the company has also produced several acclaimed short films. It’s 2002 short ”Stubble Trouble” was nominated for an Academy Award in 2002.
