Norwegian studio Fabelfjord is producing a new six-minute animated short based on popular children’s book series Dunderly. Targeting two to eight-year-olds, the short is set in a magical place in the mountains inhabited by six monsters named Moi, Modika, Bulder, Buster, Samantha and Lex. The short is a joint project between art director/animator/director Endre Skandfer, author Endre Lund Eriksen, and general manager Meret Korsberg Dalsbø. Fabelfjord is based in Tromsø, located in the most northern point of Norway, known as the ‘Arctic capital of the world.’
Norwegian author Eriksen has published ten books, several digital apps and merchandise, of his co-creation Dunderly since only the launch in September 2011. The book illustrator Skandfer has a long history within the Norwegian animation industry, having worked at all of the country’s leading studios.
“Right after the publication of the book, we always had the idea to develop animated characters based on them,” says Endre Skandfer. “The short stars the speedy character Bulder and Modika, a curious, brave and sometimes cheeky girl.”
Skandfer says the production of the project will be almost completely Nord-Norwegian.
“I have close contacts with about 25 professionals within the animation industry, who we would to bring back to Tromsø to work here. Most of them already know Dunderly, so it will be a very comfortable to work with them on the project. We we don’t want to lose connection with the Oslo animation industry. Although we are all up North, we are all part of Norwegian animation family.”
The Fabelfjord studio has received some financial help from the North Norwegian Film Center (Nordnorsk Filmsenter). “We also will apply for financing from the Norwegian Filminstitute and other Norwegian financers. We hope to deliver the short in the fall of 2014,” notes Skandfer. For more info, visit www.dunderly.no.
