And now for something completely different
Polynoid was always able to run a production completely autonomously. Put us in a room together, give us a brief, and we can deliver. In hindsight, this is how we unconsciously built Woodblock as well. Every task was flowing through us. But slowly, the Polynoids were confronted with new realities. Ones where they had to learn the benefits of sharing and letting other minds in.
The year 2017: Furry friends and plastic pals.
One of these first excursions into the realms of shared responsibilities was towards our dear collaborator and ECD Regina Welker, who started and operated the Woodblock Ludwigsburg office since its inception. She was always running projects without us being involved, for example Playmobil, one of our longest-standing clients. Or the ‘Gigabears’ we created for ‘3’, an Austrian network provider. And that’s where we really started to introduce new Creative Directors.
The ‘Gigabears’ were created by Helen Choi. It was a series of character jobs that made everybody happy. A fresh direction and perspective that was so not us. And we learned to let go. The alternative would’ve been swimming in our own creative genetic soup forever. It was good to crack the shell open and to let others in. Welcome to a new era.
At the same time, we started to feel an itch about working for the man. An identity crisis tapped us on the shoulder and demanded to be recognized. Who were we to sell out so quickly? Are we wasting our creative energy? Is the man the sole beneficiary? And why is the man called the man?
A tiny little seed was carefully planted, occasionally watered with encouragement and a delicate little sprout called Planet Polywood peaked out and blinked at the sun. This new entity will be a safe haven for our reborn thirst for IP and creatively owned content. A rough and muddy first draft of a new resource distribution charta inside our little group of passionate, idealistic animators.
Films shall be made. Show concepts shall be written. Floors will be hit and learnings will be cherished.
And we will start with the three letters SPF.
And a passion for food and adventures.
And a lost pitch for Love Death and Robots.
