Ottawa-based indie animation studio Mercury Filmworks (Hilda, The Lion Guard) and French studio La Chouette Compagnie(Droners, Taki Tanuki) are working on a new original horror/suspense anthology series titled Don’t Walk Home Alone After Dark. They will develop, produce and distribute the 2D-animated (12 x 13-minute) show aimed at teens and young adults with producer and director Andy Coyle (Hilda).
The show is based on the hit YouTube channel with over 200,000 subscribers and over 9 million views. The anthology is based on longstanding traditions and conventions of the horror genre, is a suspenseful collection of modern folk tales that often explore coming-of-age themes intended to be equal parts scary and heartfelt. The series embraces the cross over between podcast and lo-fi YouTube content that allows the audience to watch, listen or both. Each episode is described as a mini scary movie. Individually they stand alone and can be enjoyed independent of each other, but all are a piece of a larger world. Hidden connective tissue and easter eggs come together to add a second layer to the storytelling and an extra satisfaction for the fanbase.
“We’re thrilled to join forces with La Chouette and collaborate once again with Andy Coyle on Don’t Walk Home Alone After Dark,” says Chantal Ling, VP or original series and co-pros at Mercury Filmworks. “Having worked alongside him on Hilda, we know firsthand his remarkable ability to blend heart and suspense seamlessly. This anthology series will not only thrill existing fans of the YouTube shorts, but also captivate new audiences around the globe with its unique storytelling. Whether watching or listening, we’re eager to expand on the series established fanbase and share these spine-tingling tales with viewers everywhere.”
Mercury Filmworks will present “Don’t Walk Home Alone After Dark” to potential international media partners at the MIPCOM market in Cannes, France this month.
For more information, please visit www.mercuryfilmworks.com
