Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

PiP Animation Services

PiP Animation Services Inc. is a full-service and animation studio based in , , , specializing in the production of television series, feature films, and one-off animated projects for children's and educational audiences. Founded in 1998 by Dulcie Clark, who serves as CEO, the studio derives its name from "Partners in Projects," reflecting its commitment to collaborative, client-focused workflows that deliver on-time and on-budget results with a signature "PIP Polish" for high-quality creativity. Key leadership includes David Fortier as Head of Production and Glenn Brown as Producer, supporting an inclusive team that accommodates diverse needs, including disabilities, while leveraging Canadian tax incentives to maintain competitive operations. The studio has earned recognition for ethical business practices, including the Torch Award and the 2024 TAC Lifetime Achievement Award to its founder Dulcie Clark, and has contributed to Emmy-nominated projects through its directors and production designers. Notable works include the long-running PBS Kids series Cyberchase, which it has animated across multiple seasons; the CBC series Wandering Wenda; the PBS Kids show The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!; and feature films such as Lamya’s Poem and Earth to Eden. Over more than two decades, PiP has partnered with international producers to create award-winning content, establishing itself as a leader in accessible, engaging animation for global broadcasters and streaming platforms.

Overview and History

Founding and Establishment

PiP Animation Services was founded on March 19, 1998, by Dulcie Clark, who serves as the primary founder and CEO. Clark, with a background in the industry dating back to 1988, established the studio to offer full-service production in , , . From its inception, the studio focused on children's , prioritizing ethical business practices such as completing projects on time and within budget. This dedication to reliability was recognized with the Torch Award for from the . PiP Animation Services operates as a private company specializing in the animated and sector. In its early years, the studio formed key partnerships with producers to build its reputation as a dependable provider.

Growth and Key Milestones

Following its establishment in by Dulcie Clark, PiP Animation Services rapidly expanded from a small team of three employees to a workforce of approximately 45 full-time staff by 2001, driven by increasing demand for its services and necessitating a relocation within to accommodate the growth spurt. By the early , the studio had solidified its position as a prominent Ottawa-based animation provider, leveraging Canadian tax incentives to support its operations and attract clients for high-quality animation projects. Key milestones in PiP's evolution include its entry into markets through collaborations with U.S.-based producers for , which expanded its portfolio beyond domestic clients. The studio also bolstered its leadership by hiring key personnel, including David Fortier as Head of and , and Glenn Brown as Producer, to oversee growing project demands and ensure creative consistency. Over the subsequent decades, PiP achieved more than 25 years of sustained partnerships with global producers, fostering long-term relationships that emphasized collaborative project development across diverse animation styles and formats. In 2024, PiP's long-term growth was underscored by the recognition of founder and CEO Dulcie Clark with the inaugural Television Animation Canada (TAC) Lifetime Achievement Award, presented during the Ottawa International Animation Festival and highlighting her contributions to the Canadian industry. This accolade reflected the studio's enduring commitment to ethical business practices, as evidenced by its receipt of the Torch Award for . To support its full-service 2D and 3D animation capabilities, PiP has maintained facilities in designed for efficient, personalized project handling, prioritizing creativity and meticulous detail in all productions.

Operations and Techniques

Services Offered

PiP Animation Services operates as a full-service production studio, managing the entire pipeline from through to . activities include storyboarding and design work to establish visual concepts and character development, while the production phase focuses on animating sequences using both and techniques. encompasses , , and sound integration to finalize deliverables. The studio specializes in creating television series, feature films, and one-off specials, with a strong emphasis on children's programming and educational content aimed at engaging young audiences. This focus allows PiP to deliver high-quality animations that support learning and objectives for broadcasters and producers. Client engagement follows a collaborative model that begins with CEO Dulcie Clark, who structures production deals to optimize financial incentives, such as Canadian tax credits, ensuring cost-effective partnerships. PiP maintains relationships with domestic and international producers, including Breakthrough Entertainment and , providing end-to-end solutions that cover everything from initial concept development to final delivery and distribution support.

Animation Methods and Technology

PiP Animation Services primarily employs 2D animation methods, utilizing as a core tool for creating digital animations and sequences. Supporting this workflow, the studio incorporates , Painter, and for background creation and character design, enabling detailed artistic elements within productions. These tools facilitate a digital approach that emphasizes precision in visual development, with layout artists required to work efficiently in Photoshop to organize sequences logically. In addition to its 2D focus, PiP Animation Services integrates animation capabilities for select projects, expanding its technical scope to include computer-generated elements alongside traditional styles. This incorporation allows for versatile production options, though the studio maintains a strong emphasis on as its foundational method. The studio's production pipelines highlight attention to detail—often referred to as the "PIP Polish"—and creative problem-solving, with collaborative teams managing workflows from concept through to ensure seamless execution. Since its founding in 1998, PiP has evolved from early digital techniques in the late and early to hybrid / approaches that enhance efficiency in contemporary demands.

Notable Productions

Television Series

PiP Animation Services has made significant contributions to animated television series, particularly in children's programming with educational elements. The studio provided full animation services, including character animation and episode production, for numerous series broadcast on major networks such as , , , and . Their work emphasizes engaging storytelling that integrates learning objectives, such as , , , and geography, across over 100 episodes in various productions. One of the studio's longest-running collaborations is with the series , an educational mathematics that premiered in 2002. PiP handled for seasons 6 through , delivering and full for approximately 86 episodes, each 22 minutes long, where young viewers follow the Cybersquad's adventures solving math-based problems to thwart the villain . As of 2025, PiP continues to animate , including season (2024). This ongoing series highlights PiP's expertise in 2D digital techniques to create dynamic, problem-solving narratives. In literacy-focused content, PiP animated the CBC series Wandering Wenda (2017), a 26-episode production based on Margaret Atwood's children's books, featuring whimsical globetrotting adventures that promote reading and language skills through magical explorations with protagonist Wenda and her friends. The studio's role encompassed complete animation services, ensuring vibrant visuals that enhance the educational storytelling. For science and reading education, provided animation services for the series The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (2010–2018), contributing to seasons 1 and 2 (60 half-hour episodes or 120 eleven-minute segments) where the Cat leads Nick and Sally on discovery adventures inspired by , covering topics like natural sciences and curiosity-driven learning. Their work focused on character-driven animation to make complex concepts accessible and fun for audiences. Earlier preschool programming includes (early 2000s) on , where PiP served as an additional production facility for season 2 and provided full animation for season 3, consisting of 13 half-hour episodes with three stories each (approximately 8 minutes per story). Set in the imaginary Nowhere Land, the series follows a girl's adventures with a beast and a , emphasizing themes of , , and in short, episodic formats. PiP's involvement in adventure-based education is evident in Doki (2013–), an international series for and , where they animated seasons 1 and 2, totaling 104 episodes of 11-minute segments. The show follows a named Doki and his global team answering real-world questions about , , and , with PiP delivering that supports interactive, question-driven narratives. Venturing into comedy, PiP animated the full first season of FreakTown (2016) for , comprising 52 episodes of 11 minutes each. In this series, characters like Benjamin Bones defend their quirky town from "cute" invaders, blending humor with light ; PiP's animation services brought the eccentric designs and fast-paced action to life.

Films and Specials

PiP Animation Services has contributed to several animated films and specials, often handling the full production pipeline from storyboarding to , with a focus on techniques for narrative-driven stories. These projects span feature-length films, short films, and one-off specials, emphasizing themes like , environmental awareness, and personal challenges. The studio's involvement in feature films includes (2022), a animated feature with an 89-minute runtime that follows a 12-year-old Syrian girl who discovers solace in a book of Rumi's poetry amid her journey to safety. PiP managed the complete animation process for this Unity Productions Foundation project, blending fantasy and reality to highlight resilience and empathy. Another key feature is Riverdance: The Animated Adventure (2021), a dance-infused 90-minute musical inspired by the stage show, featuring elements and a score by Grammy winner . PiP provided services, including for protagonists Keegan and Moya as they embark on a mythical quest with spirit deer. In shorter formats, PiP produced Earth to Eden, a 22-minute environmental-themed special (two 11-minute segments) centered on a spirited 7-year-old girl named Eden who explores nature and creativity. The studio oversaw the full 2D animation pipeline, targeting children aged 5-9 with messages of ecological stewardship. Jamie's Paper Train (2019) is an 8-minute short film inspired by the real-life experiences of a boy with autism, depicting his adventures on a magical paper train that transforms everyday challenges into imaginative journeys. PiP handled a hybrid animation approach, incorporating 2D, stop-motion, and cut-out techniques for the Foothill Entertainment production. For one-off specials, Kit the Kat & Dot features 3D-animated feline comedy shorts, such as "Purr-fectly Rude Awakening," where the mischievous cat Kit navigates humorous mishaps with his companion Dot. PiP created the characters and animation, drawing from the American Pixel Society award-winning design to deliver lighthearted, episodic vignettes. PiP has also provided animation services for non-series projects like select episodes of The Tom and Jerry Show (2014–2022), contributing 2D animation for comedic chase sequences in the Warner Bros. revival. Additionally, the studio managed the end-to-end production—including art direction, storyboards, animation, and visual effects—for Through the Woods (2017), an Emmy-winning collection of preschool shorts about a boy and his dog exploring nearby nature, totaling around 5-7 minutes per installment.

Impact and Recognition

Industry Contributions

PIP Animation Services has pioneered ethical practices in the animation production sector, emphasizing fair labor standards, timely and budgeted project delivery, and inclusive hiring policies that accommodate individuals with disabilities. The studio received the Torch Award for Business Integrity from the , recognizing its commitment to ethical operations since its founding in 1998. This approach has supported the broader animation ecosystem by fostering a stable work environment that retains local talent and promotes sustainable production models. The company has significantly shaped children's educational animation, particularly through its collaborations with public broadcasters such as PBS and CBC, integrating themes of mathematics, literacy, and science into engaging narratives. For instance, its work on series like Cyberchase for PBS emphasizes problem-solving and math concepts, while contributions to The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! explore scientific discovery and reading skills. These partnerships have helped deliver curriculum-aligned content to young audiences, enhancing educational outreach in North America. PIP's contributions to the Canadian animation industry's growth include strategic use of federal and provincial tax incentives, such as the Canadian Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit, to attract international projects and bolster domestic production capacity. Founder and CEO Dulcie Clark, active in the industry since 1988, has mentored emerging talent, providing entry-level opportunities and guidance that have empowered a new generation of animators in Ottawa. The studio has also facilitated international co-productions, partnering with global producers on projects like Lamya’s Poem, which expand Canadian animation's reach while leveraging local resources. Through these efforts, PIP has helped establish as a key hub for children's , contributing over 25 years of award-winning output that strengthens the local creative economy and supports in the sector. Clark's and the studio's reliable practices have been instrumental in building a collaborative network that sustains long-term industry vitality in the region.

Awards and Honors

PiP Animation Services has received recognition for its contributions to notable animated productions, particularly in children's programming. In 2006, the studio's work on the series contributed to its win for Best Animated Production in a TV Series at the Canadian Awards for the Electronic and Animated Arts (CAEAA). The studio is also acclaimed by clients for its consistent on-time delivery and creative execution, often referred to as the "PIP Polish." Individual achievements by key personnel have further highlighted the studio's excellence. In 2018, production designer Marie Thorhauge Torslev won a Daytime Emmy Award for Individual Achievement in Production Design for the animated series Through the Woods, produced in collaboration with The Fred Rogers Company. That same year, director J. Meeka Stuart received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Directing in a Short Form Animated Program for the project. In 2024, founder and CEO Dulcie Clark was awarded the inaugural TAC Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Animation Festival, honoring her decades-long contributions to the industry, including and ethical business practices. The studio has earned additional honors through its work on educational series, such as . This program, for which PiP provided animation services, won the Environmental Media Award for Outstanding Children's Programming (Animated) and received a Silver Honor from the Parents' Choice Awards for television aimed at ages 6-8. These accolades underscore PiP's impact on high-quality children's animation.

References

  1. [1]
    About PIP
    PIP Animation is an award winning 2D and 3D animation studio that prides itself on its attention to detail, creativity, and on what our clients have called the ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
  2. [2]
    PIP Animation Studios Inc.
    PIP Animation Studios Inc. · image 600 Terry Fox Drive, Suit 210 Ottawa Ontario Canada K2L 4B6. Get Directions · image 613-569-4886 ...
  3. [3]
    Dulcie Clark is the mentor behind Ottawa's animation success
    Nov 8, 2024 · Dulcie Clark is the award-winning CEO and founder of PIP Animation Services, a studio known for producing children's shows such as Cyberchase and The Cat in ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
  4. [4]
    PIP Animation Services Company Profile - Datanyze
    PIP Animation Services Profile and History. PiP Animation Services Inc. is a ... Founded. 1998. Primary Industries. BroadcastingMedia & Internet. Dulcie ...
  5. [5]
    PIP Animation Services - Overview, News & Similar companies
    Company Name. logo for PIP Animation Services. PIP Animation Services. Revenue. $7.4M. Number of Employees. 62. Type. Private. Funding. -. Founded In. 1998. Top ...
  6. [6]
    Cyberchase - PIP Animation
    Jan 8, 2011 · CYBERCHASE: Seasons VI through XV. Format: Series - 44 x 22 minutes. Producers: THIRTEEN/WNET,Title Entertainment and PIP Animation
  7. [7]
    https://www.imdb.com/company/co0139900/
  8. [8]
    Lamya's Poem - PIP Animation
    Lamya's Poem is an original story which weaves the lives of two remarkable young teens. Blurring the lines between fantasy and fiction.Missing: Services | Show results with:Services
  9. [9]
    Dulcie Clark to Receive First-Ever TAC Lifetime Achievement Award
    Sep 19, 2024 · Dulcie Clark [ph. provided by OIAF] ... The Founder & CEO of PIP Animation Studios, Clark has worked in the animation industry since 1988.
  10. [10]
    PIP Animation Studios Inc | BBB Business Profile
    PIP Animation Services Inc. is family-owned. BBB Accredited Since: 1/12/1999. Years in Business: 27. Products and Services. PIP Animation Services Inc. offers ...
  11. [11]
    Pip Animation benefits from tax credits - Playback
    Jan 22, 2001 · Amberwood Productions is the biggest client for Pip Animation Services, a three-year-old, Ottawa-based company which provides a range of ...
  12. [12]
    Animatin' in Adawe | Animation World Network
    May 31, 2002 · The digital animation provider, PIP Animation opened their doors in 1998. "We started with three employees," says Dulcie Clark, "which quickly ...
  13. [13]
    Inside PIP - PIP Animation
    At the outset of a project, you will be working closely with Dulcie Clark, our Founder and CEO, on putting the deal together including how to maximize any and ...Missing: Eleanor | Show results with:Eleanor
  14. [14]
    Working at PIP Animation Services - Glassdoor
    Rating 4.0 (13) www.pipanimation.com · Ottawa, Canada · 1 to 50 Employees · Type: Company - Private · Revenue: $1 to $5 million (USD) · Film Production ...
  15. [15]
    Contact Us - PIP Animation
    We Love to hear from you. 600 Terry Fox Drive, Suit 210. Ottawa. Ontario - Canada. K2L 4B6. Email: info@pipanimation.com. Phone: +1613-569-4886.Missing: Services growth workforce international partnerships
  16. [16]
    Welcome to PIP Animation Services Inc.
    PIP Animation is a world-class 2D and 3D animation studio that prides itself on its attention to detail, creativity, and on what our clients have called the ...TV SeriesContact UsInside PIPAbout PIPPIP Animation Services Inc.
  17. [17]
    jobby: Animators, PiP Animation, Ottawa – CARTOON NORTH
    PIP Animation Services Inc. is currently looking for more talent in our Animation Department. ... – Work efficiently in Adobe Flash CS6. – Demonstrate strong ...
  18. [18]
    jobby: Layout Artists, PIP Animation, Ottawa – CARTOON NORTH
    Production Layout Artists Required. PIP Animation Services Inc. is currently looking for more talent in our Layout Department. Everyone accepted will gain ...
  19. [19]
    https://www.pipanimation.com/w5/index.php/tv-series
  20. [20]
    TV Series - PIP Animation
    PIP Animation is thrilled to work with producer, Breakthrough Entertainment, on celebrated Canadian author, Margaret Atwood's critically acclaimed children's ...Missing: credits | Show results with:credits
  21. [21]
    Wandering Wenda - PIP Animation
    Wandering Wenda is a 26-episode series about Wenda and her friends' magical adventures, with each episode being a whimsical, globetrotting adventure of sound, ...Missing: Services | Show results with:Services
  22. [22]
    The Cat in the Hat - PIP Animation
    Sep 10, 2011 · Follow The Cat In The Hat, voiced by Martin Short, on Seussian adventures of scientific discovery of the natural world with his friends Nick & Sally.
  23. [23]
    Maggie & the Ferocious Beast - PIP Animation
    May 2, 2011 · Based on the children's books by Betty and Michael Paraskevas, Maggie and the Ferocious Beast is set in an imaginary place in the enchanting, imaginary world ...Missing: Services | Show results with:Services
  24. [24]
    Doki - PIP Animation
    DOKI Seasons I and II. Format: Series - 104 x 11 minutes. Producers: Portfolio Entertainment and Discovery Kids Latin America
  25. [25]
    FreakTown - PIP Animation
    FREAKTOWN Season I. Format: Series - 52 x 11 minutes. Producers: Portfolio Entertainment and Teletoon Television NetworkMissing: Services | Show results with:Services
  26. [26]
    Features & One-Offs - PIP Animation
    Riverdance The Animated Adventure. The Animated Adventure is a musical extravaganza featuring spectacular Irish dancing and a new score by Grammy winner ...
  27. [27]
    Lamya's Poem (2021) - IMDb
    Rating 6.1/10 (259) Details ; Release date · February 21, 2023 (United States) ; Also known as. Lamya'nın Şiiri ; Production companies · Lamya's Poem · PIP Animation Services Inc.
  28. [28]
    'Lamya's Poem' Trailer Details Rumi-Inspired Syrian Refugee Tale
    Jun 23, 2022 · The film is an inspiring and timely tale about a 12-year-old Syrian refugee who flees the violence of her country, and looks to a gifted book of poetry.
  29. [29]
    Riverdance The Animated Adventure
    The Animated Adventure is a musical extravaganza featuring spectacular Irish dancing and a new score by Grammy winner Bill Whelan.
  30. [30]
    Riverdance: The Animated Adventure (2021) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    animator: PIP / lead creative: PIP. Paulo Silvan · Paulo Silvan. senior animator. Chad Swanson · Chad Swanson. animator. Nick Swanson · Nick Swanson. animator.
  31. [31]
    Earth to Eden - PIP Animation
    "Earth To Eden" is a half hour (2 × 11 minutes) animated slice-of-life show aired at kids 5 to 9, about an artistic and spirited 7 year old girl named Eden ...Missing: Services | Show results with:Services
  32. [32]
    Jamie's Paper Train - PIP Animation
    Jamie's Paper Train is inspired by a boy with autism, using a magical train to turn challenges into adventures. It has two worlds, real and magical.
  33. [33]
    Jamie's Paper Train 1 x 8' - Foothill Entertainment
    This powerful but sensitive film produced by renowned Canadian animation studio, PIP Animation, combines a mix of various animation techniques including stop ...
  34. [34]
    Kit the Kat & Dot - PIP Animation
    Kit the Kat is feline comic hijinks as you have never seen before! Determined to make the best of any situation, Kit the Kat takes on the world as only a cat ...
  35. [35]
    The Tom and Jerry Show - PIP Animation
    Mar 13, 2011 · One of the world's most beloved cartoon duos returns to television in "The Tom and Jerry Show," a fresh take on the classic enemies.
  36. [36]
    The Tom and Jerry Show (TV Series 2011–2022) - Full cast & crew
    Animation Department. Edit · Josh Hart · Josh Hart. animator / animation: PIP Animation Services Inc. (as Joshua Hart). 52 episodes • 2014–2017. Louis Gilbert ...
  37. [37]
    Through The Woods - PIP Animation
    Directions, Art Direction, Designs, Storyboards, Leicas, Builds and Rigs, Production Backgrounds, Scene Assembly, Animation, Compositing, Visual Effects, Locked ...Missing: Services | Show results with:Services
  38. [38]
    Through the Woods - Fred Rogers Productions
    Through the Woods is an Emmy® Award-winning animated preschool series that follows Rider and his dog Wolfie as they explore the kind of “nearby nature”Missing: Services | Show results with:Services
  39. [39]
    LOOGAROO : September 2006
    Sep 30, 2006 · CAILLOU WINS - CONGRATULATIONS!!​​ Just thought you would like to know about the Canadian Awards for the Electronic and Animated Arts (CAEAA) and ...
  40. [40]
    Emmy Win for Marie Thorhauge Torslev - PIP Animation
    Jun 4, 2018 · Congratulations to Marie Thorhauge Torslev for her Emmy Win for “Individual Achievement - Production Designer” for “Through the Woods”
  41. [41]
    Outstanding Director Emmy Nomination - Meeka J. Stuart
    Apr 20, 2018 · ... Animated Program” Emmy nomination for “Through the Woods”. Meeka_J. Stuart. PIP Twitter. Tweets by @PIPAnimation. PIP logo grey. © 2021 ...<|separator|>
  42. [42]
    Buzz - PIP Animation
    Cyberchase Wins Environmental Media Award​​ Cyberchase was honored to win the Environmental Media Award for Outstanding Children's Programming (Animated)...
  43. [43]
    Awards & Recognitions
    ### Summary of Awards & Recognitions