Thunderbird’s Atomic Cartoons Gets New Los Angeles Studio

Thunderbird Entertainment Group has expanded its kids’ and family division, Atomic Cartoons, with the opening of a new animation studio in Los Angeles.

Leading the L.A. studio will be Matthew Berkowitz, chief creative officer of Thunderbird and Atomic Cartoons. Aaron Behl and Kristin Cummings, co-VPs of Atomic Originals, will also hold senior leadership roles. The new studio’s first project is already in production for a major global broadcaster.

The L.A. animation studio will house the Atomic Originals team and primarily focus on pre- and post-production—from writing, directing, storyboarding and design to casting, recording and editorial. Formed in October 2016, the L.A. Atomic Originals team has developed and produced projects in collaboration with the company’s Vancouver studio. Thunderbird, which now has three studios operating across North America, is scaling up to expand both its owned-IP slate and its capacity to provide heightened service to trusted media partners around the world.

Berkowitz said: “We are thrilled to expand our L.A. footprint with the opening of an animation studio to house our local showrunners, directors, writers, designers, storyboard artists and editorial teams. Similar to our studios in Vancouver and Ottawa, we plan to provide a supportive and creative environment for these tremendously talented individuals to achieve the best work of their careers. With the ever-increasing industry demand for premium original content, the new studio is a stellar opportunity to work with the amazing animation talent base in L.A., and partner up with our award-winning creative teams in Canada.”

Jennifer Twiner McCarron, CEO of Thunderbird and Atomic Cartoons, said: “The opening of our third animation studio is another major milestone for Thunderbird and Atomic, allowing greater access to incredible talent and the ability to continue to create premium content across the industry. I am so proud of Matt Berkowitz and the entire L.A. Atomic team! Our new L.A. studio will continue to build on the success of our last three years in L.A. and I am beyond thrilled about what is ahead for Thunderbird, not only at our new L.A. hub, but across the entire company.”