Hyperion Pictures (also known as Hyperion Films, Hyperion Studios and Hyperion Entertainment) is an American independent film production and distribution company founded by Thomas L. Wilhite, who had previously been the head of motion picture and television production for The Walt Disney Company, and writer/director Willard Carroll. The company produces both live-action and animated productions such as The Brave Little ToasterTHE BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER (1987) (***)|Animation World Network and The Runestone.
History A subsidiary of the company is Hyperion Animation Company, Inc. which has produced animated feature films and television series, including its most successful media franchises: The Brave Little Toaster, The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars, The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue, The Itsy Bitsy Spider and The Oz Kids. In 1998, the company produced the live-action film Playing by Heart for Miramax. Also, on December 9, 1998, it signed a deal with Showtime in order to develop a telefilm based on the hit book series Bad News Ballet.
On October 5, 1999, Hyperion, along with Disney's animation designer Bruce W. Smith, formed a joint venture called Jambalaya Studio to produce shows aimed at a black audience. On September 22, 2002, Hyperion Pictures decided to expand into a memoir and a series of pulp novels into feature film production.
The studio has been dormant since 2007, but their website was updated in 2019, stating that it was under construction. It then returned a year later. However, it was not involved with The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.
Accolades The first Brave Little Toaster received an Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program nominationThe Brave Little Toaster|Television Academy and a Special Jury recognition from the Sundance Film Festival.The Brave Little Toaster|Sundance Institute
List of notable Hyperion features and television productions Feature films Nutcracker: The Motion Picture (1986, with The Kushner-Locke Company) The Runestone (1990) Playing by Heart (1998, with Miramax) Tom's Midnight Garden (1999) My Louisiana Sky (2001) Three Way (2004, with Brainstorm Media) Marigold (2007)
Short films Chunks of Life (1994, with MTV) The Need (2006)
Television series Amazing Stories (1985–1987) - Season 2, Episode 16: "Family Dog" (1987, with NBC, Universal Television, Amblin Entertainment and The Kushner-Locke Company) Bone Chillers (1996, with ABC) ARK, the Adventures of Animal Rescue Kids (1997–1998, with Discovery Kids)
List of Hyperion Animation productions Television series Title Year(s) Network Co-production(s) NotesThe Itsy Bitsy Spider1993–1996USA NetworkParamount TelevisionLife with Louie1994–1998Fox KidsFox Children's ProductionsThe Anderson/Hassan CompanyThe Adventures of Hyperman1995–1996CBSColumbia TriStar TelevisionIllumination StudiosHappily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child1995–2000HBOTwo Oceans Entertainment GroupConfetti Entertainment CompanyThe Oz Kids1996–1997Direct-to-videoMeldacCanal + D.A.Wang Film ProductionsThe Proud Family2001–2005Disney ChannelABC KidsWalt Disney Television AnimationJambalaya StudiosDa Boom Crew2004Kids' WBBerliner Film CompanyJambalaya Studios
Television specials Title Release date Network Co-production(s) NotesThe Sissy Duckling1999HBO
Television films Title Release date Network Co-production(s) NotesThe Proud Family Movie2005Disney ChannelWalt Disney Television AnimationJambalaya Studios
Direct-to-video films Title Release date Co-production(s) NotesThe Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue1997Walt Disney Home VideoThe Kushner-Locke CompanyThe Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars1998We Wish You a Merry Christmas1999Family Home EntertainmentJingle Bells1999O' Christmas Tree1999The Tangerine Bear: Home in Time for Christmas!2000Artisan EntertainmentThe Adventures of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina2002Miramax Films
Theatrical films Title Release date Co-production(s) NotesThe Brave Little Toaster1987The Kushner-Locke CompanyRover Dangerfield1991Warner Bros. PicturesThe Kushner-Locke CompanyRobin Harris' Bebe's Kids1992Paramount PicturesJambalaya Studios
Short films Title Release date Co-production(s) NotesThe Itsy Bitsy Spider1992Paramount Pictures1001 Nights: An Animation Symphony1998Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
References
External links Official website