Finnish animator Robert Hanses and French animation art director Remy Chanfreau have teamed up to write and produce engaging original animated content for high-profile companies’ social media platforms.
Finnish YouTube animator Robert Hanses has teamed up with French animation art director Remy Chanfreau to launch Smallstep animation studio, specializing in creating content for high-profile companies’ social media platforms. Hanses serves as CCO, with French-based Chanfreau serving as CEO. In addition, NYC-based Lucas Swertloff has been named Vice President of Business Development.
The studio focuses on storytelling using the traditional animation industry as a springboard, creating online content that seeks to engage users within seconds while telling a complete story in minutes. The company is developing original IP and working with various clients to produce and develop brand content. Smallstep’s creative team has recently added a number of animators, storyboarders, and production managers to work on new properties currently in development.
“It’s been so exciting to discover how to make content that mirrors audiences’ own humanity, resulting in instant and genuine connection,” said Hanses and Chanfreau. “Our scripts are designed to be a spark of inspiration, a warm blanket, a bubbling laugh. Our voice acting comes from real, everyday people. Our animation style adds to, not distracts from, the story. Our characters express emotions rarely seen when scrolling, providing a full spectrum of the human experience. In the end, our work isn’t work. It’s a reflection of you.”
A Finnish YouTube animator, Hanses is best known for his online alter ego, Rabbert, who has gained viral popularity and purports to have over nine million followers across social platforms. He began posting his animation on YouTube in 2011, initially gaining attention for his clay stop-motion videos.
Chanfreau has worked across character design and location design while serving as an art director and animator. Some of his clients include Disney, Nickelodeon, and Supercell.
Source: Smallstep
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
