Mikros Animation is delighted to announce that THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN is now available on Netflix (except in the USA and Canada)!
THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN is all about fun, adventure, inventive environments, and lovable characters. It’s the latest chapter in a global phenomenon spanning over two decades !
We are thrilled that this movie directed and written by Tim Hill will be having a worldwide release through Netflix. We are so proud to have been entrusted by Paramount Animation to bring the latest adventures of SpongeBob and its universe to life in a first-ever all-CGI feature animation”
Simon Vanesse, Managing Director of Mikros Animation
It was quite of a challenge for us. We worked very closely with Tim Hill and his team to ensure that the translation of the look from 2D to 3D animation would be done in full respect of the franchise, while developing a new and richer look that does really immerse the viewer in Bikini Bottom and the Lost City of Atlantic City. ”
Marie Balland, Head of Production at Mikros Animation Montreal
To stay true to the TV show, the artists adopted a differentiated style to animate the characters and the environments. The environments are in an “almost” full CG version which required a deep stylistic exploration leading to redefining the shape language and visual codes to display new colorful and contrasted landscapes with a high level of details. This could be achieved through an organic mix of high-end and traditional techniques, combining strong asset building philosophy, workflow flexibility and visual inventiveness.
The design and animation of the characters were very demanding to preserve the spirit of the original series, the individuality and personality of each protagonist. The rigging phase was very complex and very dense as almost of the characters are different. The team at Mikros Animation had to re-think the crafting of the 3D characters: choosing a stepped animation to avoid any motion blur and smooth effects, movable limbs, 2D shapes, animated FX, shading transfer,…. so that the characters could act, move, deform and do all kinds of crazy stunts!
Tim Hill really understands the world of SpongeBob, he has the franchise’s DNA but he let us, the artists, a bit loose. So we all had the opportunity to propose our artistic approach that he and his team would approve or not. As an animator, this type of movie comes only every 5 or 10 year in a career. We laughed a lot while working on this visual feast of color, comedy and fun.”
Jacques Daigle, Animation Supervisor at Mikros Animation Montreal
The enjoyment to work on this feature animation has been challenged by the global pandemic. When “safer at home” policies have been required as from spring 2020, Mikros Animation was able to deploy necessary solutions within days to allow for the secure and remote working set up for their artists in both Montreal and Paris. Beyond the technology challenges and and the lockdown conditions that evolved over the following weeks, the studio was able to have 240 artists in Montreal and in Paris dedicated to the SpongeBob marketing and film working from home. The project was fully completed under lockdown conditions in full collaboration between the studios of Mikros Animation in Montreal and Paris.
Don’t wait to visit Netflix to view the movie!
