Glasgow-based animation studio Flaunt is celebrating its first feature-length project arriving in theaters as Welcome to Monster High has bowed in select cinemas around the world. Directed by Stephen Donnelly and Olly Reid, the 70-minute movie for Mattel’s Playground Pictures reboots the Monster High franchise and brings back fearsomely fabulous characters Draculaura, Frankie Stein, Clawdeen, Cleo and Lagoona, while introducing some new creepy coeds.
Welcome to Monster High is an origin story for the school, telling how Draculaura and co.’s dream of monsters and humans living side by side became a reality. Flaunt worked with Mattel to create fresh interpretations of franchise, staying true to the iconic toys while updating them for animation. The dolls’ proportions and facial structure were modified to create characters suitable for dynamic action and subtle performances.
“The love was poured not only into designing the characters but also extended to the look of their world too,” said Donnelly. “We designed rich, atmospheric sets and a plethora of bespoke props, balancing detail with clean silhouettes, adding true visual depth to the story of Draculaura and her Ghoulfriends.”
To complement the new designs, Flaunt arrived at a dynamic animation style full of strong poses and defined character movement inspired by 2D animation principles. “We had a fantastic group animators and layout artists, plucked from around the globe. Together they created incredibly characterful and nuanced performances that captures the spirit of each character. Complemented by the heroic efforts of our brilliant lighting team. The final film is plush, fun, bold and charming,” Reid added.
Originally slated for a direct-to-DVD release, Welcome to Monster High opened in theaters August 27, partnering with Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation to create an exclusive behind-the-scenes look and special “Dance the Fright Away” pre-show featuring YouTube superstar choreographer Matt Steffanina.
DVD release dates for Welcome to Monster High are yet to be announced, but Flaunt is already in production on a second feature project for the franchise due out next spring.
