Studio’s new ‘creative guardian’ will oversee all original IP development and service project slates; credits include series director on Amazon Prime Original ‘Bug Diaries,’ ‘Wishenpoof,’ and ‘Space Ranger Roger.’
Lighthouse Studios “Lighthouse” has promoted long-time series director and showrunner, Gilly Fogg, to head creative. Having joined the animation studio in 2017 as studio series director, Fogg was named showrunner in February 2021. In her new role she will creatively oversee the studio’s original IP development and service project slates. The announcement was made by Lighthouse’s managing director, Claire Finn.
Involved in the creative process at Lighthouse since the studio launched, Fogg directed the Amazon Prime original, Bug Diaries and oversaw tests that were instrumental in booking projects currently in production, including The Cuphead Show for Netflix. She is currently directing a not yet announced mini-series for a global streamer and is serving as showrunner on another current project which she pitched alongside Finn in Sept 2019.
Fog will work closely with the showrunner of the studio’s first own adult IP, a gritty animated crime drama loosely based on real events at the turn of the millennium in Ireland. She is also overseeing the company’s “short film project,” an initiative that offers Lighthouse employees the opportunity to flex their creative muscles and submit an original concept, with the top pick to be developed and produced by the studio. A creator herself, Fogg is also currently writing an original work, which explores inter-generational relationships in a changing world.
“Since taking the reins of the studio in 2018, I am quite proud of the level of talent we have attracted and the culture we have created that gives our team the environment to thrive, and Gilly has played a huge role in taking Lighthouse to the next level,” remarked Finn. “We have a robust slate of service work with big launches happening in spring ‘22 and are gaining strength as we grow our original IP projects.”
She added, “I love Gilly’s passion and together with head of production Cormac Slevin, we want to continue to find, create and produce content that delivers the exceptional standards we have become known for.”
“This new role as head creative allows me to oversee and act as the ‘creative guardian’ for all of our projects and collaborate with the creative talent in our partner studios,” commented Fogg. “What I enjoy most in the creative process is working closely with people and building long-lasting creative relationships. It’s also a privilege to mentor upcoming directors in our own team. I love working with Claire whose vision inspires the entire team to bring to life projects that entertain audiences across the globe.”
Prior to joining Lighthouse, Fogg worked as a series director for DHX Media on Wishenpoof for Amazon Prime, Space Ranger Roger, and three seasons of Animal Mechanicals for Canada’s CBC. Previously, she worked for HIT Entertainment for eight years, starting as a stop-motion animator and then serving for four years as an episodic director for the hit series, Bob the Builder. Fogg began her entertainment career during university as a puppeteer, touring Scotland with the Perfect Chaos theatre company. Following university, she received an internship at Studio Jiri Trnka in Prague, studying all aspects of traditional animation under Vlasta Pospislova. Fogg received a degree in Film & Theatre Studies and English Literature at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. She also studied film at Queen’s University in Canada.
Source: Lighthouse Studios
