Toonstar uses AI for successful YouTube series

Toonstar, a nine-year-old Los Angeles-based animation studio, is using AI technologies to make its animation processes more efficient and collaborate with new creators to bring successful IPs to market. The studio’s recent partnership with Parker James, a TikTok influencer known for his distinctive characters, shows how Toonstar is using AI to improve production efficiency, get more projects done, and address some of the problems plaguing the entertainment industry.

Toonstar was founded by former Warner Bros. and Disney executives John Attanasio (CEO) and Luisa Huang (COO). The studio focuses on creating animated content for social media platforms such as YouTube and Snap, which is also an investor. Toonstar evaluates projects based on creative concept, potential for animation adaptation, target audience and social reach. “We are really focused on building multimedia entertainment franchises using cutting-edge technology and working with the next generation of storytellers,” said CEO Attanascio.

Toonstar uses AI in various stages of animation, from pre-visualization to post-production. This approach has reduced the time and cost required to produce high-quality animated content. The studio has developed AI engines that adapt visual styles and animation techniques to each project. By using AI for parts of the animation process, Toonstar can create animations faster and more cost-effectively and bring more projects to market, a process they found very limiting for creators in the large studio system.

“Animations have traditionally been time-consuming,” Huang explains. “From a cost and time-to-market perspective, this was limiting and only feasible for projects with huge budgets. AI and machine learning are driving down costs.”

In collaboration with TikTok star Parker James, Toonstar used AI to transfer his live-action TikTok videos into the animated series with many effects. Steven & Parker. James, who is known for using face filters and voice changers in his videos, worked with Toonstar to translate his style into animation while maintaining the authenticity that appeals to his nine million TikTok followers. “Working with Toonstar has been an incredible experience,” says James. “They helped bring my characters to life in ways I never imagined.”

Toonstar has also used AI for the multilingual dubbing of StEvEn & Parker. The studio has also integrated native dubbing technology into its animation engine that clones James’ voice, allowing his character to “speak” in multiple languages ​​while retaining the nuances of his original performance. Toonstar has used this technology in Spanish, Japanese and German, expanding James’ reach and attracting additional viewers from non-English speaking markets. “Our dubbing technology has significantly increased the show’s viewership,” said Attanasio. “Parker’s series now reaches over 30 million viewers per week.”

Toonstar has received venture capital from Founders Fund and Greycroft, as well as industry giant Snapchat and former NBA star Baron Davis. The company employs around 20 full-time employees and receives additional support from contractors for certain projects.

“The cutting-edge technology helps us advance our production and community building. If you want to make the next South Park or the next Simpsons, you have to partner with great storytellers,” Attanasio said. “There’s no button you push and a successful franchise comes out. That’s why we’re partnering with this next generation of storytellers that we really believe in.”

“Creating content with AI isn’t easy,” Attanasio added. “It sounds like a good idea to use a few words to inspire an entire series, but that’s not what we do. The key is to start with talented creators and great storytellers. Then our AI tools help streamline the process, but it’s still about working with talented creators to bring those stories to life.”

Parker James expressed his enthusiasm for the process. “I always wanted to do animation, but I was never an animator. I was good at coming up with stories, but I couldn’t have produced an animated series until I worked with Toonstar. They were able to take the stories and characters I created, work with me to develop the storylines and create this series.”

“We found Parker on TikTok, where he uses a voice changer to create this really cute and funny character,” Attanasio explained. “They were sketches with potential for animation, so we started testing short films on TikTok, which went really well. We moved that to YouTube, and his channel grew from 10,000 subscribers a year ago to over 6 million total. Including Spanish, he reaches 30 million unique weekly viewers and 3 billion views in five languages ​​on five continents. There was a model there.” The company has since struck a deal with Random House to create a series of graphic novels based on Steven & Parker.

“Our goal is to build the next generation of hot IP using new technologies, AI and machine learning, and create opportunities for new creators and voices. If you look at the entertainment industry today, you see that there is consolidation and fewer projects being made. This limits the opportunities for creators and storytellers,” Attanasio added.