PaperCut Studios

BACKGROUND

PaperCut Animation Studios is a full service property development and animation studio based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The company was formed in 2009, with the primary goal of breaking free from the preconceived boundaries of 3-D animation in order to produce stylistically innovative animated projects-from inception all the way to final delivery-based on a solid foundation of superb storytelling. PaperCut's television development slate aims to blend humor with action/adventure, targeting an audience of six- to 45-year-olds.

Working in a state-of-the-art studio with more than 6 highly skilled artists and production staff, the company is well equipped to provide creative expertise and execution on all aspects of the development and production of film and television properties, including promotional materials and creative services for merchandising and licensing partners. An industry rarity in its ability to deliver on every aspect of franchise creation, PaperCut is emerging as one of the premier animation property developers and producers in the field.

WHAT WE DO

A vibrant animation studio with the capacity to produce quality animation across the spectrum, from high-end traditional 2D, cut-out, stop motion and 3D animation for feature films, commercials, web animations to serialized television shows.

Included in our skill roster is the ability to develop story from concept, storyboard, character and environment design, 3D computer models, digital paintings and clay sculptures to a complete animated product.

We are specialized in various programs such as Toon Boom Digital Pro, Storyboard Pro and Animate Pro, Various Adobe Software such as Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects and Flash and 3D applications such as Maya and Blender.

We are also exceptional compositors and editors, with an appropriate artistic sensibility for each project. We are passionate about making quality animation and never stop trying to push the artistic and commercial boundaries.

VISION STATEMENT

PaperCut is an entertainment studio, poised to revolutionize the animation world, with great story telling, memorable characters and amazing new worlds.

MISSION STATEMENT

In a techno-dense industry, the 'art' of design is often forgotten somewhere between the pixels and software. PaperCut believes that the future of design and animation lies in 'positive regression' - a dedicated journey back to the basics.

Before a quality animator opens his laptop, he pulls out his pencil. Top-class animation depends on the designer's ability to sketch - to draw a personality-rich model as a starting point. From PaperCut's perspective, an animator is a painter and a storyteller. Technology, often seen as synonymous with electronic design, it is only the last step in the creative animation process.

Technology can never replace imagination as the stimulus for the big idea. It may streamline the process but, from a PaperCut perspective, the truly artistic designer remains indispensable.

To consumers, PaperCut will create entertainment that families can trust, building brands that enrich children's lives by making them laugh.

 

 

SOLID DIRECTION

 

Creative Direction stems from the PaperCut Creative management team, namely

Studio Director           Marco Curado

Artistic  Designer        Jelena Mladenovic

Marco Curado director and chief animator. He is an artist. Marco's art is Character animation and story telling. His art represents just one of PaperCut's spectrum of services - tailored to the world of communication and marketing.

Jelena Mladenovic is a visionary designer with a unique sense of style and an undying passion for painting. She specializes in environment design, with an instinctual attention for mood though use of colour and light.  She makes the tough task of environmental design seem effortless.