Lighthouse Studios Appoints New Head Creative

Irish animation house Lighthouse Studios has promoted series director and showrunner Gilly Fogg to head creative.

In her new role, Fogg will be responsible for creatively overseeing the studio’s original IP development and service project slates.

Fogg joined Lighthouse Studios when the company first launched in 2017 as studio series director and became showrunner in February 2021. Her credits include directing the Amazon Prime original Bug Diaries and overseeing the tests that won the projects currently in production, including The Cuphead Show for Netflix.

Currently, Fogg is directing a miniseries for one of the global streamers and is serving as showrunner on another series, which she successfully pitched alongside Claire Finn, managing director.

Fogg will work closely with the showrunner of the studio’s first own adult IP, a gritty crime drama loosely based on real events in Ireland. She will also oversee the company’s “short film project,” an initiative that allows Lighthouse employees to submit an original concept, with the top pick to be developed and produced by the studio.

Prior to joining Lighthouse Studios, Fogg worked as a series director for DHX Media, where her credits include Wishenpoof for Amazon Prime, Space Ranger Roger and three seasons of Animal Mechanicals for CBC. She also worked for HIT Entertainment, where she started as a stop-motion animator and then became the episodic director of Bob the Builder.

Finn said, “Since taking the reins of the studio in 2018, I am proud of the level of talent we have attracted and the culture we have created that gives our team the environment to thrive, and Gilly has played a huge role in taking Lighthouse to the next level. We have a robust slate of service work with big launches happening in spring ’22 and are gaining strength as we grow our original IP projects.”

Finn continued, “I love Gilly’s passion and, together with Head of Production Cormac Slevin, we want to continue to find, create and produce content that delivers the exceptional standards we have become known for.”

Fogg said, “This new role as head creative allows me to oversee and act as the ‘creative guardian’ for all of our projects and collaborate with the creative talent in our partner studios. What I enjoy most in the creative process is working closely with people and building long-lasting creative relationships. It’s also a privilege to mentor upcoming directors in our own team. I love working with Claire, whose vision inspires the entire team to bring to life projects that entertain audiences across the globe.”