Gigglebug Entertainment confirmed plans to launch a new sub-label dedicated to the creation of adult animated content, branded “In Stitches." “We have an amazing pool of talent under our roof and browsing their personal portfolios continues to blow our mind – they have so many fresh, daring and hilarious ideas that we’re eager to develop, alongside our family-focused work," Anttu Harlin, CEO and Co-Founder at Gigglebug Entertainment, said.
The new banner will focus on developing bold, offbeat and experimental comedy content from contemporary voices. The venture will be led by Gigglebug’s management team, including CEO and Co-Founder Anttu Harlin, Creative Director and Co-Founder, Joonas Utti and Managing Director, Beth Parker. The label will tap into the talent across Gigglebug’s 100 in-house artists and designers and will look to develop their previously unpitched adult-targeted concepts.
The first project being developed by In Stitches is "Soap," a 20-part, 22-minute animated workplace comedy from the point of view of a bar of hotel soap, who just wants a clean getaway. The concept was originated as part of Gigglebug’s Idea Lab – an internal pitching and co-creation session – and is based on an original idea by Sasil Leirana, a 2D Animator at Gigglebug. ‘Soap’ will be written by ‘The Amazing World of Gumball’ writers, Tobi Wilson and Paul Rice. The project is being produced by Anttu Harlin and Joonas Utti, with Elliott Palmer (CBBC, Nickelodeon, Big Thinkers) on board as Development Executive. In Stitches will be presenting the project to the international market at MIPCOM.
When affairs unravel marriages, a drug deal blows up or a serial killer repaints the walls red, Soap is there to clean the mess. Suds and her pals, the cleaning products in Room 833 of The Tufnell, a large high-end hotel, who are always cleaning up behind the scenes. "In Stitches is still very much in keeping with Gigglebug’s DNA, as it’s also driven by the desire to spread joy, but it will enable us to bring boundary-pushing and more risky content for adult audiences, which encourages them to have a laugh at the bare, naked and surreal truth of being alive," Harlin said. "‘Soap’ perfectly encapsulates our vision for the banner, and we are excited to have the remarkably talented Tobi and Paul bringing their comedic genius to the project – as well as for our animation team to flex their creative muscles in a new genre.”