Cuppa Coffee Studios has purchased a new production facility at 53 Ontario Street in Toronto, formerly owned and occupied by The Partners Film Co. Housing 40 stop-motion studios, 50 compositing stations, seven online editing suites, including one HD suite, and an unparalleled character, sets and prop fabrication department, this move firmly cements Cuppa Coffee as the largest stop-motion facility in the world.
Owner/exec producer Adam Shaheen acquired the 45,000-square-foot property to accommodate the ever-growing needs of an impressive production roster. "We currently employ more than 250 talented artists, directors, animators, builders and production crew," explains Shaheen. "This move will provide us with the space we need and also leave us some room to grow." The Partners' production offices will remain as tenants in part of the building for the next year while their equipment rental division is relocated to a larger facility.
With an average of seven series per year, Cuppa Coffee is producing several stop-motion shows including a new season of CELEBRITY DEATHMATCH for MTV, RICK AND STEVE for MTV sister channel LOGO and STARVEILLANCE for E! Networks. Also in the works are several proprietary Flash-based preschool series, BRUNO & THE BANANA BUNCH, a spin-off of the wildly successful BRUNO interstitial series, which airs worldwide, and BAILEY THE WONDER DOG, a new motivational preschool series.
Additionally, the broadcast design department has a steady stream of projects including the ongoing branding of U.S. based Gospel Music Channel, a job that has landed the company more than a few awards, including several BDAs.
With the move slated to take place before end of year, the facility is undergoing minor renovations to create stop-motion studios. "It's a beautiful space, and it's set up very well for our needs, so there's very little to be done," explains Shaheen. To those who are familiar with the building and are wondering what will become of the office pub, Shaheen promises, "the pub will stay intact."
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
