A new animated series intended for an international audience will be produced in Medellin, Colombia led by Canadian animators, Pipeline Studios.
The project that is part of Medellin’s Science, Innovation and Technology plan 2011 – 2021, involved an investment of $6.6 million which included equipment, training and production, according to Juan Pablo Ortega, the director of Ruta N, Medellin’s Business and Innovation Center.
“There are a lot of creative people here in Medellin,” said the director. “And we will have the capabilities to have an international studio.” The hope is to set Medellin up as a center of animation in Colombia with the creation of a new studio, and a group of professionals specializing in animation.
Pipeline Studios first came to Colombia’s second largest city a couple of years ago to teach animation techniques to students in Medellin. Now the Canadians are back to produce Jar Dwellers, a show about three strange creatures who were hidden away in glass jars for 200 years, and now want to make up for lost time.
“This is not a short term commitment, we have the artists and the talent to attract international companies,” said Ortega.
Jar Dwellers will take nearly 14 months to produce and will be seen by audiences around the world in competition with productions from Nickelodeon and Disney, according to the animators. Medellin-based TV station Telemedellin will broadcast the premiere of the series.
University Pascual Bravo is the site of the Medellin-based animation studio and the institute is also offering training to aspiring animators. “It is an industry that has a lot of growth potential in Colombia, especially in Medellin,” said a member of Pipeline studios.
