Vancouver-based Atomic Cartoons has named Luke Carroll as its new creative director as the company looks to boost investment in generating creative content and develop more original properties.

The move is an indication that Atomic, known for its service work on series such as Rocket Monkeys as well as original properties including Pirate Express, is setting up an internal pitch workshop series and is actively searching for original properties with potential partners in the publishing, art and gaming worlds.

Carroll, formerly the producer of the animated feature Escape from Planet Earth, brings an MFA from UBC in producing and creative writing to the position, as well as extensive experience in the live action and motion capture industries through directing episodic television, DVD series and award winning short films.

In an effort to mine the in-house creative that already exists, Atomic has set up a series of development workshops  to refine their own original creative ideas into an introductory pitch to Atomic management and possible option agreement.

Atomic is also investing in setting up a mini internal studio with a green screen and lighting that offers space for creative play to support and cultivate the development of hybrid properties.

As part of this original property push, Atomic is also looking to take a more of a hybrid approach to projects by incorporating live action elements to animation projects, said Robert Davies, VP development with Atomic Cartoons, told Playback Daily. 

“It’s not a departure away from animation – it’s different approaches to animation,” Davies says.

In addition, the role non-traditional broadcasters now play in the industry means there are more opportunities to pitch projects that might not otherwise be picked up, Davies noted.

“It’s the ability to now hit up non-traditional broadcasters with things that just wouldn’t fly a few years ago on television,” Davies says.

– From Kidscreen, with files from Julianna Cummins