Feb 14, 2013

JibJab storybot, learn the ABC's

JibJab has completed its ABC video series, part of the new children's learning project StoryBots. The final video in the series, "Z," is of course directed by Max Winston, whose mastery of classic cartoon timing and movement is second to none among stop-motion animators. [UPDATE: Max has posted some behind-the-scenes photos of the short on his blog]

When I was in LA last month, JibJab co-founder Evan Spiridellis gave me a sneak peek of the StoryBots materials they are producing; the StoryBots website doesn't say much, but snippets of concept art can be seen on their Tumblr. The company has been busy creating interactive picture books, games, and animated shorts to support their StoryBots iPad app. Beginning this spring, the app will be available for a monthly subscription of $4.99.

What is most impressive about the StoryBots effort is the consistency of quality; JibJab uses a large crew of in-house and worldwide freelancers to create StoryBots content. See, for example, the TED-Ed animated video.

But with JibJab, there is an amazing through-line that extends across the entire StoryBots universe. That doesn't necessarily make all of StoryBots a masterpiece of children's entertainment, but like the early "Sesame Street" films, there is a sense of fun and creativity that ties the various parts of StoryBots together.

It is the type of accomplishment that cannot be achieved overnight; Evan, the de facto creative director of StoryBots (whatever title he actually uses), combines creative talent and the right staff for each segment. He does an excellent job of casting and letting each person do what they do best. He believes that the large amount of content created by JibJab's bread and butter e-card division has prepared him to put StoryBots together; StoryBots could be the rare children's educational product that appeals to parents as well as children.