Smiley Guy Studios is a Canadian television production company founded in 1998 by graduates of the Canadian Film Centre including Jeremy Diamond, Adrian Carter and Denny Silverthorne; [1] Jonas Diamond joined in 1999. [2] It is one of the most prominent creators of adult animation in Canada, [3] with shows like Odd Job Jack , The Dating Guy , Sons of Butcher and Corner Gas Animated , [4] unlike most studios which focus primarily on shows targeting children's or family demographics. Smiley Guy also produces family content. [5]
Working with clients on a variety of animated television, film and new media projects such as Odd Job Jack [6] and Hotbox for The Comedy Network, The Ascent of Man with the National Film Board of Canada, [7] Pillars of Freedom for TVO, [8] The Dating Guy , Skatoony , and Sons of Butcher for Teletoon, Steve Jobs Resurrected for Mondo Media, [9] The World of Bruce McCall , [10] [11] The Curse of Clara: A Holiday Tale, [12] [13] Canada's Smartest Person, [14] Turbo Dogs , and The Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town for CBC, "The Politics Episode" of One Day at a Time for Pop, [15] Beethoven's Wig, [16] [17] Psi Cops , and Captain Canuck . [18] [19] It produced the animation for the UK adult animated series Warren United by Baby Cow Productions in 2014, [20] [21] as well as the proposed children's show What a Croc! with Whole Hog Creations in 2012. [22] [23]
Along with Vida Spark Productions, it was co-producer of Corner Gas Animated , a revival of the hit live action situation comedy Corner Gas . Its first episode, "Bone Dry", which aired on April 2, 2018, is currently the highest rated premier ever for The Comedy Network. [24] The fourth and final season aired in 2021. [25]
The studio has also pioneered an experimental form of described video, wherein rather than a neutral narrator, descriptions are provided by actors in-character. [26]
| Series | Year | Notes | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odd Job Jack | 2003–2007 | Animation, writing, visual development, storyboarding, design, sound design, music, interactive elements | CTV Comedy Channel |
| Sons of Butcher | 2005–2007 | Animation | The Detour on Teletoon |
| Turbo Dogs | 2008–2011 | Animation | Kids' CBC |
| The Dating Guy | 2009–2010 | Animation | Teletoon Detour |
| The Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town | 2010 | Animation | CBC Television |
| Pillars of Freedom | 2010–2012 | Animation, writing, visual development, storyboarding, design, sound design, music, sound mix, interactive elements | TVOKids |
| Skatoony | 2010–2017 | Animation (North American version) | Teletoon/Télétoon |
| Steve Jobs: Resurrection | 2012 | Animation | Mondo Media |
| Teleporting Fat Guy | 2012–2015 | Animation, Post-Production, Pre-Production | Shut Up! Cartoons |
| Captain Canuck | 2013–2016 | CBC Television | |
| Warren United | 2014 | Animation, Interactive, Music, Post-Production, Pre-Production, Sound Design, Sound Mix | ITV4 |
| Furry Force | 2014–2015 | animation, visual development, storyboarding, design, sound design, music, sound mix. | CollegeHumor |
| Überdude | 2015 | Animation, Interactive, Music, Post-Production, Pre-Production, Sound Design, Sound Mix | Shut Up! Cartoons |
| Chirp | 2015–2016 | Animation, Pre-Production | Kids' CBC |
| The Great Canadian Baking Show | 2017–present | Post-Production | CBC Television |
| Corner Gas Animated | 2018–2021 | Animation | CTV Comedy Channel |
| One Day at a Time | 2020 | Animation, Pre-Production; "The Politics Episode" | Pop |
| Black-ish | 2020 | Animation, Pre-Production; "Election Specia" | ABC |
| Mary and Flo On the Go! | 2022 | Animation | YouTube |
| Psi Cops | 2023 | Animation | Adult Swim |
| Title | Release date | Co-production with | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sk8 Life | 2006 | Travesty Productions | visual effects |
| Chemerical Redefining Clean for a New Generation | 2009 | Take Action Films | Animation |
| The Bang Bang Club | September 15, 2010 | end titles | |
| Hard Core Logo 2 | December 4, 2010 | Foundation Features | Animation |
| SOS: Save Our Skins | April 4, 2014 | Farmhouse Productions Duopoly Baby Cow Productions | Pre-Production, visual development, storyboards, visual effects |
| Todd and the Book of Pure Evil: The End of the End | October 25, 2023 | Aircraft Pictures Corvid Pictures Frantic Films Live Action Productions | Animation, Pre-Production |
| Feature | Year(s) | Client | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Happy | 2005 | Layout, Animation | |
| The Ascent of Man | 2008 | National Film Board of Canada | |
| Beethoven's Wig | 2012 | Animation | |
| The Curse of Clara: A Holiday Tale | 2015 | CBC Television | Animation |