Hyperion Pictures (also known as Hyperion Films or Hyperion Studios or Hyperion Animation) is an American independent film production and distribution company founded by Thomas L. Wilhite, who had previously been the head of motion picture and television production for The Walt Disney Company, and writer/director Willard Carroll. The company produces both live-action and animated productions such as The Brave Little Toaster[1] and The Runestone.
| Industry | Filmmaking |
|---|---|
| Founded | December 25, 1984 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California |
Key people | Thomas L. Wilhite Willard Carroll Chris Young |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company |
| Subsidiaries | Hyperion Animation Company, Inc. Jambalaya Studios |
History
A subsidiary of the company is its animation division, Hyperion Animation Company, Inc. which has produced animated feature films and television series, including its most successful media franchises: The Brave Little Toaster, The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars, The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue, The Itsy Bitsy Spider and The Oz Kids. In 1998, the company produced the live-action film Playing by Heart for Miramax.[2] Also, on December 9, 1998, it signed a deal with Showtime in order to develop a telefilm based on the hit book series Bad News Ballet.[3]
On October 5, 1999, Hyperion, along with Disney's animation designer Bruce W. Smith, launched a joint venture Jambalaya Studios to produce shows aimed at a black audience.[4] On September 22, 2002, Hyperion Pictures decided to expand into a memoir and a series of pulp novels into feature film production.[5]
The studio has been dormant since 2007, but their website was recently updated in 2019, stating that it was under construction. It then returned a year later. However, the company is not involved with The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.
Accolades
The first Brave Little Toaster received an Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program nomination[6] and a Special Jury recognition from the Sundance Film Festival.[7]
List of notable Hyperion features and television productions
Feature films
- Nutcracker: The Motion Picture (1986, with The Kushner-Locke Company)
- The Runestone (1990)
- Playing by Heart (1998, with Miramax)
- Tom's Midnight Garden (1999)
- My Louisiana Sky (2001)
- Three Way (2004, with Brainstorm Media)
- Marigold (2007)
Short films
- Chunks of Life (1994, with MTV)
- The Need (2006)
Television series
- Amazing Stories (1985–1987) - Season 2, Episode 16: "Family Dog" (1987, with NBC, Universal Television, Amblin Entertainment and The Kushner-Locke Company)
- Bone Chillers (1996, with ABC)
- ARK, the Adventures of Animal Rescue Kids (1997–1998, with Discovery Kids)
List of Hyperion Animation productions
Theatrical feature films
- The Brave Little Toaster (1987, with The Kushner-Locke Company)
- Rover Dangerfield (1991, with The Kushner-Locke Company, and Warner Bros)
- Robin Harris' Bebe's Kids (1992, with Paramount Pictures and Jambalaya Studios)
Direct-to-video
- The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue (1997, with The Kushner-Locke Company, and Walt Disney Home Video)
- The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars (1998, with The Kushner-Locke Company, and Walt Disney Home Video)
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas (1999)
- Jingle Bells (1999)
- O' Christmas Tree (1999)
- The Tangerine Bear: Home in Time for Christmas! (2000, with Artisan Entertainment)
- The Adventures of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina (2002, with Miramax)
TV film
- The Proud Family Movie (2005, with Jambalaya Studios and Disney Channel)
Short films
- The Itsy Bitsy Spider (1992, with Paramount Pictures)
- 1001 Nights: An Animation Symphony (1998, with Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra)
Television series
- The Itsy Bitsy Spider (1993–1996, with USA Network)
- The Oz Kids (1996-1997, with Canal+)
- Life with Louie (1994–1998, with Fox Kids)
- The Adventures of Hyperman (1995–1996, with CBS)
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995–2000, with HBO)
- The Proud Family (2001–2005, with Jambalaya Studios and Disney Channel)
- Da Boom Crew (2004–2005, with Jambalaya Studios and Kids' WB!)
Television specials
- The Sissy Duckling (1999, with HBO)
References
External links
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