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Yowza! Animation
Yowza! Animation
Yowza! Animation
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Yowza! Animation (formerly known as Yowza Digital) is a Canadian animation studio based in Toronto, Ontario and founded by Claude Chiasson in 1996. They specialize in providing additional animation and/or clean-up and ink-and-paint for various shorts and feature films. The studio also utilizes animation using Toon Boom.

Key Information

On July 4, 2016, Heather Walker bought Yowza! Animation from founder Claude Chiasson.[1]

Work

[edit]
Title Year(s) Client Notes
101 Dalmatians 1996 Walt Disney Pictures clean-up
Mr. Magoo 1997 Walt Disney Pictures animated sequences
The Drew Carey Show 1998 Warner Bros. Television "My Best Friend's Wedding" (Daffy Duck opening)
Quest for Camelot Warner Bros. Feature Animation additional production services
1001 Nights: An Animation Symphony Hyperion Animation animation and clean-up
Werner - Volles Rooäää!!! 1999 Hahn Film additional animation
Bartok the Magnificent Fox Animation Studios subcontractor
Titan A.E. 2000 Fox Animation Studios [2]
Osmosis Jones 2001 Warner Bros. Feature Animation [2]
Scooby-Doo 2002 Warner Bros. Pictures deleted intro
Eight Crazy Nights Meatball Animation
101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure 2003 Walt Disney Television Animation [2]
Looney Tunes: Back in Action Warner Bros. Feature Animation [2]
The 3 Wise Men Animagicstudio
Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed 2004 Warner Bros. Pictures
Fat Albert 20th Century Fox animation
Kronk's New Groove 2005 DisneyToon Studios
Curious George 2006 Universal Animation Studios
Shorty McShorts' Shorts Walt Disney Television Animation "Bozzlebag's Zip"
Curious George Universal Animation Studios intro animation
Chicago 10 2007 Brett Morgen Lincoln Park riot sequence; co-produced with Switch VFX
Dinosapien BBC Worldwide/CCI Entertainment CGI animation and VFX
How to Hook Up Your Home Theater Walt Disney Animation Studios
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning 2008 DisneyToon Studios sneak peeks
The Princess and the Frog 2009 Walt Disney Animation Studios [3]
The Ballad of Nessie 2011 Walt Disney Animation Studios clean up/in-between animation and ink and paint
Winnie the Pooh clean up/in-between animation and ink and paint
Hippothesis 2011
Mansour 2013–19 ICE Animations
The Travels of the Young Marco Polo 2013
Welcome to the Wayne 2014, 2017–19 Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scroll 2015 DreamWorks Animation
Lexi & Lottie 2016 SLR Productions storyboards (3 episodes)
Kiri and Lou 2019–present Cake Entertainment
Green Eggs and Ham 2019–22 Warner Bros. Animation
Klaus 2019 The SPA Studios clean up/in-between animation and ink and paint
Looney Tunes Cartoons 2019–23 Warner Bros. Animation [4][5]
Cake 2020 FX Productions "Dicktown" segments
Tom and Jerry Special Shorts 2021 Warner Bros. Animation
Animaniacs four episodes of Season 2[6]
Middlemost Post 2021–22 Nickelodeon Animation Studio [6]
Angry Birds: Summer Madness 2022 Rovio Animation
Nature Cat 2022–25 Spiffy Pictures Season 4 and 5[6]
Carl the Collector 2024–present

Disney Interactive video games

Title Year(s) Notes
Maui Mallard in Cold Shadow 1996 clean-up
Disney's Animated Storybook: The Hunchback of Notre Dame clean-up
Disney's Animated Storybook: Hercules 1997 animation and clean-up
Disney's Animated Storybook: 101 Dalmatians animation and clean-up
Disney's Animated Storybook: Hercules animation and clean-up
101 Dalmatians: Escape from DeVil Manor animation and clean-up
Hercules additional animation
Nightmare Ned additional animation
Disney's Math Quest with Aladdin 1998 animation and clean-up
Disney's Hades Challenge additional animation
Disney's Adventures in Typing with Timon and Pumbaa clean-up
Disney's Animated Storybook: Mulan additional assistant animation
Disney's Arcade Frenzy 1999 clean-up
Tarzan animation and clean-up
Disney's Animated Storybook: Winnie the Pooh & Tigger Too additional assistant animation
Ariel's Story Studio additional animation
Disney's Beauty and the Beast Magical Ballroom 2000 additional assistant animation
Disney's Activity Center: Winnie the Pooh clean-up
Disney's Activity Center: Tigger 2001 clean-up

Commercials

References

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Yowza! Animation

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Yowza! Animation is a Toronto-based Canadian animation studio specializing in high-quality 2D, 3D, and hybrid 2D/3D animation services for television series, feature films, and digital media, with a robust production pipeline from concept development to final delivery. Founded in June 1996 by animator Claude Chiasson, the studio initially focused on additional animation, clean-up, and ink-and-paint services for international projects. In 2016, industry veteran Heather Walker, previously the studio's executive producer, acquired Yowza! from Chiasson and assumed the role of CEO, shifting emphasis toward expanded 3D capabilities and original co-productions while maintaining remote and on-site operations in Toronto. Over nearly three decades, Yowza! has collaborated with major broadcasters and studios, contributing to acclaimed children's programming such as the animation for ' Nature Cat (seasons 4–5), ' Curious George, and the co-production of the preschool series for CBC and OwlKids. The studio has also handled 3D animation and visual effects for live-action hybrids like DinoSapien and provided services for projects including . Recent works include the 2D animation for ' Carl the Collector, which centers on an autistic protagonist and promotes themes of friendship and , as well as contributions to Superbuns, a finalist for the 2025 Kidscreen Awards in the Best Preschool Animation category. Yowza!'s portfolio has garnered industry acclaim, including an Annie Award for outstanding achievement in , underscoring its reputation for classical and tradigital techniques that appeal to global audiences. With a team of skilled artists working remotely across , the studio continues to prioritize creative excellence and , supporting wheelchair-friendly facilities and diverse talent development in the animation sector.

History

Founding and early years

Yowza! Animation was established in June 1996 by Claude Chiasson in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The studio initially focused on providing additional animation, clean-up, and ink & paint services for cartoons, commercials, and early digital projects, capitalizing on the growing demand for outsourced animation support in the industry. Chiasson, drawing from his prior experience in visual effects on films such as Highlander (1986), positioned the company to handle technical aspects of production for major studios. In its early years, Yowza! contributed to several high-profile projects, beginning with clean-up work on Disney's live-action 101 Dalmatians (1996), where Chiasson himself served as a clean-up artist. The studio provided additional production services for ' (1998), including oversight by Yowza's head of production Thomas Coleman. It also handled additional animation for Disney's Animated Storybook: Hercules (1997), an interactive title that marked one of the company's initial forays into digital media clean-up and enhancement. These contributions established Yowza! as a reliable partner for supplemental on feature films and early multimedia projects. During the late and , Yowza! experienced steady growth, evolving from clean-up services on games to more comprehensive roles amid the broader industry shift from traditional techniques to tradigital 2D processes. This transition allowed the studio to adapt to digital tools while maintaining expertise in classical , supporting its expansion in the competitive North American market.

Acquisition and expansion

In July 2016, industry veteran Heather Walker, previously the studio's , purchased Yowza! Animation from its founder, Claude Chiasson, marking a significant ownership transition for the Toronto-based company. Under Walker's leadership as CEO, the studio shifted focus toward diversifying its offerings, expanding into 2D/3D hybrid animation techniques alongside its traditional 2D expertise. This growth included forging global partnerships for collaborative projects and adapting to remote workflows, with the company emphasizing fully remote operations across by the early to enhance flexibility and talent access. Post-acquisition, Yowza! Animation achieved key milestones, including contributions to projects nominated for beginning in the late 2010s, which underscored its rising profile in the industry. The studio increased its involvement in television series production and innovative formats such as animated shorts, leveraging its hybrid capabilities to support complex, high-quality deliverables for international clients. By 2025, Yowza! Animation continued its evolution with notable contributions to ' Carl the Collector, a series it animated that premiered on November 14, 2024, centering on an autistic protagonist and promoting themes of friendship and . The series has since received nominations for the 2026 Kidscreen Awards in the Best Inclusivity, category and the 2025 Rockie Awards in Animation: . The studio also released 2025 demo reels highlighting its 2D and 3D animation proficiencies, demonstrating ongoing technical advancements and readiness for diverse project pipelines.

Company overview

Services and capabilities

Yowza! Animation provides a comprehensive production pipeline encompassing concept development through to final delivery, tailored for feature films, television series, and commercials. This includes key stages such as storyboarding, layout design, production, clean-up, in-betweening, and ink-and-paint processes to ensure high-quality outputs. The studio specializes in a range of animation techniques, including classical hand-drawn animation, tradigital 2D methods, and 2D/3D hybrid approaches (also known as ) that integrate dimensional elements for enhanced visual depth. Capabilities extend to full and , supporting diverse project requirements across traditional and digital formats. Their workflow leverages robust digital tools, such as Toon Boom Harmony for 2D animation and Maya for 3D tasks, facilitating efficient remote collaboration among teams primarily based in . Emphasis is placed on quality control measures throughout production to maintain consistency in deliverables for broadcast and theatrical releases. A distinctive strength lies in providing additional animation services, including clean-up and ink-and-paint, particularly for established projects, enabling seamless integration with existing workflows. Following the acquisition, the studio expanded its hybrid technique capabilities to better support innovative and legacy productions.

Leadership and staff

Yowza! Animation was founded in 1996 by Claude Chiasson, who served as the studio's original leader and during its early years. In , industry veteran Heather Walker acquired the company from Chiasson and assumed the role of owner, CEO, and . Walker brings over 30 years of experience in animation production, having held senior positions at major Canadian studios prior to joining Yowza! in 2008 as . The studio employs a skilled team of artists and animators specializing in classical 2D, tradigital 2D, 3D, and hybrid animation pipelines. This workforce includes professionals with substantial industry experience, drawn to Yowza! as a hub for ongoing development and career advancement in a collaborative setting. Following the shift to remote operations in 2020 amid the , the studio now operates on a fully remote model with no mandatory return to its base, preferring candidates in while accommodating global talent. Yowza! fosters a nurturing company culture centered on employee , strong interpersonal relationships, and creative , with actively listening to staff input to support personal and professional growth. The studio emphasizes long-term collaborations with international partners and maintains a robust safety and social committee to enhance the work environment. In 2024, Yowza! streamlined its physical operations to better support this remote workflow, reinforcing its commitment to flexibility and sustainability. Staff contributions have earned collective recognition through for excellence in , highlighting the team's impact on acclaimed projects worldwide.

Notable productions

Feature films and

Yowza! Animation has contributed to several feature films and standalone , primarily through additional , clean-up, and ink-and-paint services that supported major studio productions. These efforts often involved classical 2D techniques alongside emerging hybrid methods, helping to refine visual in theatrical and releases. In 1998, Yowza! supported Feature Animation on , a fully animated musical fantasy, by delivering additional production services, including clean-up animation for key sequences involving the film's adventurous protagonists and mythical creatures. Their contributions helped streamline the overseas animation pipeline, contributing to the film's cohesive cel-animated style. The studio later expanded into hybrid animation techniques for DreamWorks Animation's 2015 special : Secrets of the Scroll, a short exploring the origins of the Furious Five. Yowza! provided 2D/3D hybrid animation support, blending traditional with CGI elements to maintain the franchise's dynamic action and expressive designs. Yowza! also provided additional animation services for Disney's feature (2005), contributing to the film's 2D and comedic sequences. These projects, particularly the early collaborations, played a key role in establishing Yowza!'s reputation within Hollywood's feature animation pipelines, showcasing their reliability in high-stakes clean-up and hybrid support for global blockbusters.

Television series

Yowza! Animation has established a strong presence in animated television production, delivering animation services for episodic series aimed at children and families. Key contributions include full episode animation and character design support for Nickelodeon series such as Welcome to the Wayne (2017–2019), where Yowza! handled production for all 20 episodes of the animated adventure-comedy, employing traditional 2D techniques to bring the quirky apartment building world to life. Similarly, the studio provided comprehensive animation services for PBS Kids' Carl the Collector (2024–), premiering on November 14, 2024, with a focus on empathetic storytelling about autism through a raccoon protagonist; Yowza!'s remote team managed full episodes using hybrid 2D/3D elements to create vibrant, educational visuals. In partnership with DreamWorks Television, Yowza! contributed to Netflix's Green Eggs and Ham (2019–2022), offering animation production and design support across multiple episodes with innovative 2D/3D hybrid animation that enhanced the whimsical adaptation of Dr. Seuss's classic. The studio co-produced the preschool series Chirp for CBC and OwlKids, providing full 2D animation for the nature-themed adventures. Yowza! also delivered animation services for Universal Animation Studios' Curious George TV series and 3D animation/visual effects for the live-action hybrid DinoSapien (2007). Additional work includes animation for PBS Kids' Nature Cat (seasons 4–5) and Superbuns (as of 2025, a finalist for the Kidscreen Awards in the Best Preschool Animation category). Yowza! co-produced the animated TV series The Travels of the Young Marco Polo (2013–2019), providing 2D animation to depict historical settings and fantastical encounters in an educational tone. These projects exemplify Yowza!'s role in long-form serialized content, emphasizing scalable remote workflows for consistent episode delivery while maintaining high-quality character-driven narratives.

Commercials and other media

Yowza! Animation has produced high-quality 2D animation for a range of commercials, emphasizing quick-turnaround projects for international brands. Notable examples include advertisements for the pharmaceutical brand Xenical, the Mexican bakery Marinela, the dairy product Astro Yogurt, and the children's brand Henry & Sally's. The studio also created animated bumpers for the programming block Friday Night Nicktoons in 2002. Beyond commercials, Yowza! Animation contributed to , including additional animation for the 1997 video game adaptation of Disney's . The studio provided clean-up services for , enhancing the interactive narrative experience. More recently, Yowza! Animation handled the animation for the Fundie, a slice-of-life about a child's fundamentalist upbringing, which premiered at the in October 2025. These projects highlight the studio's versatility in delivering polished 2D animation for promotional, gaming, and short-form content across global markets.

References

  1. https://yowzaanimation.com/
  2. https://www.avid.wiki/Yowza%21_Animation
  3. https://www.animationmagazine.net/2016/07/industry-vet-heather-walker-buys-yowza-animation/
  4. https://kidscreen.com/2016/07/04/heather-walker-purchases-yowza-animation/
  5. https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/05/exclusive-nature-cats-adam-rudman-lisa-whittick-share-s4s-best-meowments/
  6. https://www.animationmagazine.net/2020/01/canadian-animation-veteran-blair-kitchen-passes-away/
  7. https://www.animationmagazine.net/2012/01/yowza-animation-to-produce-chirp-preschool-show/
  8. https://www.animationmagazine.net/2007/07/yowza-animates-dinosapien/
  9. https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/11/carl-the-collector-celebrates-friendship-fun-across-the-spectrum-on-pbs-kids/
  10. https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/11/kidscreen-awards-announce-animation-finalists-for-2025-event/
  11. https://edwardslaw.ca/our-clients/yowza-animation/
  12. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Creator/YowzaAnimation
  13. https://alchetron.com/Yowza%21-Animation
  14. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0972958/
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120800/fullcredits/
  16. https://www.mobygames.com/company/18317/yowza-animation-studios-inc/
  17. https://www.yowzaanimation.com/
  18. https://www.zoominfo.com/c/yowza-animation-inc/255721529
  19. https://yowzaanimation.com/careers/
  20. https://www.datanyze.com/companies/yowza-animation/255721529
  21. https://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/blogs/news/carl-the-collector-pbs-kids-first-series-centering-on-an-autistic-main-character-premieres-nov-14/
  22. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ90vuoDs1N/
  23. https://www.facebook.com/61554565870318/posts/congratulations-team-carl-so-happy-for-everyone-involved-and-so-proud-to-be-part/122202357494152195/
  24. https://vimeo.com/yowza/videos
  25. https://yowzaanimation.com/applications/page/5/
  26. https://yowzaanimation.com/applications/layout-artist/
  27. https://yowzaanimation.com/applications/page/342/
  28. https://www.animationxpress.com/latest-news/heather-walker-purchases-yowza-animation-studio/
  29. https://playbackonline.ca/2016/07/05/heather-walker-purchases-yowza-animation/
  30. https://cmpa.ca/member-directory/0402bbe0-014c-ed11-b80c-000c29fd1f7a/
  31. https://www.facebook.com/YowzaAnimation/
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120800/fullcredits
  33. https://intanibase.com/iad_entries/entry.aspx?shortID=33614
  34. https://www.intanibase.com/iad_entries/entry.aspx?shortID=46307
  35. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7050084/companycredits/
  36. https://www.cartoonbrew.com/studios/these-animator-reels-from-netflixs-green-eggs-and-ham-are-incredible-182232.html
  37. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3341090/
  38. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0219771/companycredits/
  39. https://2025austinfilmfestival.sched.com/event/29bFI/fundie
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