Based on an idea by Gerd Hahn. Most famous for the stories of Mia and Me.
A Co-Production of Hahn-Film and Nick (Nickelodeon).Released 2. Dec. 2017
TV Series • CGI Animation
26 x 11'
TV Series • CGI Animation
26 x 11'
Characters created by Hahn-Film
PLOT
What if your plush toy was alive and could help you through your trouble some times? Saggo and his friends – a chaotic, yet lovable bunch of Worry Eaters – juggle their lives between two realms: The human world, where they happily chew up the worries of their protégés; and DADA-Land, where they experience fun adventures of their own special kind.
Traveling to DADA-Land
EVERY EPISODE BEGINS
...in a children's room somewhere in the world. In Kyoto, Paris, Jamaica or New York.
IT'S ALL ABOUT LIGHT
26 different children's rooms by day and by night. As the aim is to take away the children's fears, it was important to me to create an extremely positive mood through the light. Even at night. During the day, the light in the children's rooms is characterized by bounced light. Direct sunlight falls through the windows and creates a bright and cheerful atmosphere. The sunlight falls on the floor and the light that bounces off the floor becomes the main source of light for the whole room.
Baby Clair's room • 2D color and lighting concept art
MOONLIGHT
The bed was always positioned near the window so that the pillow with the character was always in full moonlight. In this way, there was a huge contrast between the dark room and the illuminated character. Although the room was very dark, the moonlight always created a cosy atmosphere.
LEVEL OF DETAIL vs. INSPIRATION & MOOD
During a production, and especially during a TV production, it is often necessary to provide the team with the relevant information very quickly. In most cases I then work with quick and rough paint overs that give a clear direction in my corrections. In this way I try to make the working process as efficient as possible.
TRAVELING TO ANOTHER WORLD
In the middle of the night, a bright light appears. The dark part of the room is illuminated in a magical blue light, all the details dissolved in the blue light, as if the endless night sky appears in the middle of the room. And as if from a bright star, a Worry Eater shuttle lands in the middle of the room.
THE SHUTTLE TO DAD-LAND
The room vanishes behind the character. It creates a kind of outer space with stars and particles. The shuttle is illuminated from an invisible light source. It creates a kind of light spot at the ‘landing area’. And the props inside the room are illuminated by the bounce light, coming from the shuttle and the light spot of the ground. So there is no top light at the walls or props/furniture. Just bounce light from the direction of the shuttle. And strong rim lights. Everything should look magical. Like a dream inside the room. We need lots of vfx. Atmospheric haze, sparkling stars and a glowing light. There are no props, walls, ceilings or windows behind the shuttle. Everything is vanishes in open space.
THE ADVENTURE STARTS
The little Worry Eater becomes alive and invites the kid to visit Dada-Land.
DADA-LAND
Dada Land is the world of worry eaters. An abstract world in the shape of a pizza. Somewhere in the clouds.
The world is one big adventure playground where nothing really bad can happen. A colorful toy world in which even the stones look like they're made of felt.
And at the center is a cardboard castle. Because every day there is a new queen or king. The king of the day. And as someone else is drawn by lot every day, there is no need for a real castle. Because everyone has their own house in Dada Land.
Docking station • 2D concept art by Ralph Niemeyer
