Conrad Vernon, known for his work on “Sausage Party” and “The Addams Family,” has teamed up with producer and development executive Danielle Sterling to launch a new animation production company, Straight Up Creative. This venture aims to develop and produce a diverse range of original animated content that appeals to a global audience, not just children, and often with an edgy twist.
To lead the development efforts, Vernon and Sterling have brought on board producer Lauren Ito as Head of Development and Jeremy Ross as Chief Operating Officer. Straight Up Creative is already making waves, with an animated feature currently in development at Netflix Animation. This project is being produced by John Stamos and written by Ali Adler and Zoë Worth.
Vernon and Sterling are clear about their vision for Straight Up Creative. They want to challenge the traditional view of animation as a genre solely for children. “At Straight Up Creative, we are departing from the misconception of animation as solely a children’s genre and see animation as a versatile medium capable of expanding the ability to tell any story, in any genre, for any audience,” they explained. They are particularly drawn to edgy material that offers fresh perspectives and are excited about exploring genres like romantic comedy and horror through animation.
Vernon brings a wealth of experience to the table, having worked as a director, actor, and producer on several successful animated projects. His credits include “Shrek 2,” “Monsters vs. Aliens,” “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted,” “Sausage Party,” and both “The Addams Family” films. Sterling, on the other hand, has a rich background in both live-action and animated films. She started her career at MGM Studios and later became the SVP of Davis Entertainment, contributing to projects like “First Daughter,” “I, Robot,” and “Flight of the Phoenix.” She then moved to 3QU Media, where she produced several animated films for Netflix, including “Charming,” “Gnome Alone,” “Fearless,” and “Dog Gone Trouble.”
Lauren Ito, the newly appointed Head of Development, has a diverse portfolio, having worked on over 30 films across various genres. Her notable credits include “Jay and Silent Bob Reboot,” Netflix’s “The Babysitter,” and television series like Snapchat’s “Commanders” and Funny or Die’s “Brockmire.” Jeremy Ross, who co-founded 3QU Media with Sterling, has a strong background in animated film financing and production. He has facilitated over $150 million in debt financing for independent productions and served as an executive producer on the Oscar-winning animated short film “If Anything Happens I Love You.”
The launch of Straight Up Creative marks a significant step in the animation industry, as it aims to push the boundaries of what animated content can be. By focusing on edgy, original material and exploring a variety of genres, Vernon and Sterling hope to create a new wave of animated films that appeal to a broad audience. Their combined experience and the talented team they have assembled suggest that Straight Up Creative is poised to make a substantial impact in the world of animation.
