Marie Antoinette: February
Marie Antoinette: February
Michael Foran
World Leaders
World Leaders

About: A diversified animation and multimedia studio who create and produce television series, commercials, on-air graphics and interactive in a variety of media.

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World LeadersFebruary
World Leaders Sample Artwork

In 2001, seven former Disney and MTV directors and animators banded together to form Noodlesoup Productions. This group morphed into a diversified animation and multimedia studio. Then, in 2006, Noodlesoup re-branded and became what we now know as World Leaders Entertainment (www.worldleadersentertainment.com).

So, what do they do? Here, they’ll tell you:

"Our directors, designers, programmers and animators create and produce television series, commercials, on-air graphics and interactive in a variety of media including traditional 2D drawings, Flash animation, 3D modeling, motion graphics and live action."

In short, they do it all, and, they rely heavily on the Wacom 21 UX to do it. The New York based group produces over 15 entertainment and 50 commercial projects each year. They recently began work on 26 new episodes of the [adult swim] series, The Venture Bros. for Cartoon Network. Also, they just wrapped on a 52 episode children’s comedy series titled Supernormal. Needless to say, they are busy, so we’re extra stoked they took the time to participate in The Power of the Pens.

As we mentioned, these folks rely heavily on the Wacom Cintiq. Just how heavily is best left to their words.

"The Venture Bros.’ artists use Cintiqs primarily with Photoshop for character and background design, storyboards and color. Supernormal’s pre-production designers used Cintiqs to create all the show’s characters, props and backgrounds in Flash. The show’s coloring was also done using Cintiqs. Our traditional 2D animators have come to use the Cintiq as a drafting tool for certain projects. Animation is drawn frame by frame in Flash or Photoshop."

The folks at World Leaders Entertainment clearly know their way around a Cintiq. Let’s see if they know their way around a calendar. What did these stars of the animation world come up with?

The Making of Marie Antoinette
The Making of Marie Antoinette photos and screenshots

Our on-air tags are an excellent example of a project in which we used the Cintiq’s many features across multiple platforms. Creative Director Michael Foran used a Wacom Cintiq 21UX with Photoshop, Flash, and After Effects in each stage of production. First, he drew in Photoshop to create the initial sketches. Flash was then used to create each animated element of the tag: Marie, the crowd, and the cherubs. Finally, the animation was exported as an image sequence, composited and effects were added in After Effects.

This movie requires the latest Flash player.

Community Comments

  1. Tell us what you think. The artist, their work. We want your input.

  2. Posted by: Ryan Bordner 12.07.2007
    The Venture Bros. is my favorite show on TV. Its great to hear there are 26 new episodes on the way. Too many great characters to list a favorite, but Johnny Quest locked up under water in a scuba bubble wearing nothing but his undies and his signature black turtle neck is too funny. Best show ever.
  3. Posted by: Kat 12.07.2007
    venture brothers has stolen my husbands soul. seriously. he watches the same episodes over and over again……the worst part? I’m right there with him, loving it.
  4. Posted by: sonia 12.08.2007
    the whole wacom contest and marketing is very one sided– all male dominated. not very appealing to me and i imagine many of my female design counterparts. too bad.
  5. Posted by: bc 12.09.2007
    what’s up with the video?
  6. Posted by: Janet Lovell-Simons 12.10.2007
    Posted by: sonia 12.08.2007
    the whole wacom contest and marketing is very one sided– all male dominated. not very appealing to me and i imagine many of my female design counterparts. too bad.
    In response to the above comment… My research into the world of animation often reveals this to be so. Rather doesn’t make for a promising future in regard to my talented daughter who is interested in this industry. Makes me think that the only thing missing in the “Power of the Pens” slogan is the letter ‘i’ in the word, pens.
  7. Posted by: Michael J 12.11.2007
    Does it all come down to the sex of the artist, can’t you see the art of the artist and not find a reason to hate.
    Please!
  8. Posted by: Todd Quackenbush 12.13.2007
    Male run industry huh? Well… get you’re daughter out there. Have her turn the industry upside down. GO!!! YAY!
  9. Posted by: Marilynne 12.15.2007
    Why the focus on the artist’s sex, rather than the talent exhibited? I agree with Todd. More women need to take the challenge, assert themselves in the field and make it happen. Stop with the excuses, already.
  10. Posted by: Amanda D 12.30.2007
    Janet, You’d be surprised how many female animators are out there. Many of them are on the independent scene and when I (an aspiring female animator myself) go to film festivals in nyc almost half the films submitted are from female animators.
    Also, why does that matter? Don’t EVER limit yourself (or your daughter) by saying “Oh its because Im a WOMAN” when something frustrates you. This business requires a lot of hard work, and its those who really push themselves that make it. It doesn’t mater what or who you are, its your WORK by which they judge you.
    So stop complaining, you’re wasting precious energy.
  11. Posted by: Janet Lovell-Simons 04.08.2008
    My apologies to the artist community, especially the male counterparts of whom I may have offended by my cheeky sexist comment. I do not usually engage in such a manner, but my only excuse is that it was late when I followed the link Wacom sent to my email address and so was somewhat vulnerable when I came upon Sonia’s comment about a male dominated industry. As I also seem to have a weakness for puns and word scrambles, in this case the word ‘pens’ proved irresistible. As Blair Slavin, who stopped by my site pointed out and I agree — I was being reactive instead of pro-active. Certainly excellent art is not determined by what sex we happen to be born into, and I have enjoyed sharing and viewing artistic works by both male and female artists. Though I have to say that it is heartening to hear from Amanda that half of the films submitted at the film festival were from female animators. Also, Sonia did contact me to let me know that she holds her own in the industry as well, along with other female colleagues. So once again, my apologies. I look forward to seeing the doors open for all talented artists. It is good to see new industries and ways artists may express their art and at the same time make a living. Personally also, I have embraced the Wacom Tablet and absolutely love what technology has done for the artist. No more chemicals, unlimited potential at our fingertips, though we do have to watch about the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

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