Asterisk animation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Asterisk is a design and animation production company in New York.
Founded in 2003 by Richard O'Connor and Brian O'Connell after collaborating at R. O. Blechman's The Ink Tank since 1995.
Asterisk has created animation for Paramount Picture's Stepford Wives and Merchant Ivory Productions' White Countess. The studio has been contracted for several documentaries including Chicago Ten, What Would Jesus Buy?, and The Mighty, Humble Blueberry. The company has also created animation and effects for several independent films including What Are The Odds?, Bam, "American Dream" and A Novel Approach.
Other notable projects include several films with rock band They Might Be Giants (official page). Four of these pieces were created for Disney's "Here Come the ABCs" DVD, and two were made for "Here Come the 123s". Two more were made in 2005 for "Venue Songs". Experimental film artist Martha Colburn worked with Asterisk on Celebrate Brooklyn and underground comix artist Kim Deitch allowed the use of Waldo the Cat for Dallas.
The studio is responsible for 18 pieces of animation for Between the Lions. Prior the creation of Asterisk, Mssrs. O'Connell and O'Connor produced and directed several dozen other films for this program. Other short films for children include "Basquiat Musicians" for Sesame Street, and "Origami" for Nickelodeon in collaboration with artist Matthew Stoddart and musician Yomo Toro.
In 2006 Asterisk developed and produced a pilot for Comedy Central.
In 2007 Asterisk began its collaboration with Julia Levine-Pimsleur and Big Mouth Films on the Little Pim series of language DVDs for toddlers.
Asterisk produced the graphics and animation for WNET/Thirteen science mini-series "Curious".
The company's work has a wide range of looks and animation styles, utlizing computer graphics, puppets, stop motion, and a diverse selection of illustration.