Flying Bark Productions has announced that longtime employee Sarah Harper has been promoted to creative director – 2D, with her new role encompassing the oversight of 2D projects for both original and client service work in the Sydney studio. In addition, she will help spearhead the studio’s further expansion into original content with a specific focus on anime-influenced traditional animation and the recently announced After Bark brand.
Having joined Flying Bark Productions in 2016, Harper has been pivotal in the growth of the studio’s 2D team. She most recently was series director, co-producer, and writer on LEGO: Monkie Kid – working with the LEGO teams out of China, Los Angeles, and Denmark.
“Sarah, in collaboration with the creative leadership team, has spearheaded the development and vision for our 2D animation, garnering a world-renowned reputation,” said Flying Bark Productions CEO Barbara Stephen. “She has co-produced and series directed one of the most watched programs our studio has produced with the creation of Monkie Kid for LEGO. The series has attracted more than 600 million views, and her trademark design, animation, and writing style has amassed super fans from all around the globe. She and the team have smashed the ceiling on every measure, and we couldn’t be prouder of her achievements. We look forward to her continued involvement in the company’s leadership team.”
Harper joins fellow creative directors, Sydney-based Alexs Stadermann (100% Wolf, Maya the Bee Movie) and Los Angeles-based Ian Graham (Glitch Techs, Legend of Korra).
Flying Bark Productions’ animation teams continue to grow across CG, 2D, and CG/2D hybrid productions (including Marvel’s What If..?) with 350 employees across all departments, including a 2D team of over 200 artists. The studio’s list of recent projects includes Nickelodeon’s Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie, which has been the team’s first foray into 2D feature film production and shows including LEGO: Monkie Kid S1-3 and Disney Marvel’s soon-to-be-released Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.
The studio is preparing for further expansion to support more 2D feature animation and the various development and pre-production projects as part of its growing slate. Flying Bark Productions and After Bark are owned by independent media and theme park business, Studio 100, headquartered in Belgium.