Canadian-based animation company Bardel Animation has a new digital production division comprised of two core departments utilizing Flash and 3D Maya. "Traditional animation is by no means dead," said Bardel's president Barry Ward. "It's alive and well and living digitally. The traditional skill set of our animators, which encompass timing, emoting, gesturing and articulating dialogue, is readily portable to a digital format and essential for quality 3D and Flash animation." Incorporating this philosophy, Bardel has developed a proprietary 2D/Flash-hybrid pipeline and is now producing three TV specials for CBC, entitled STORIES FROM THE SEVENTH FIRE, using this technology. Produced for Storyteller Productions, the shows are based on ancient Cree legends and inspired by the paintings of the Native American artist Norval Morriseau. Other projects in the works include four CD-ROMs for Disney Interactive based on the Buzz Lightyear and Winnie The Pooh properties. Bardel was also recently chosen by Nancy Cartwright's company Sportsblast to create the Flash animation for the online series THE KELLYS.
