Lucia Geraldine Scott

Lucia Geraldine Scott
Producer
Red Monk Studios
Italy
Pitching: Nadia

What is the biggest issue facing the animation industry?
We are living in the animation industry’s golden age, so one of the main challenges is that production quality is becoming unattainably high. Every show is being developed in such high definition, with meticulous attention paid to the graphics and storyboarding. To compete in the market, you need to produce shows at a very high level across the board, and that is not always easy, particularly as you need a team you trust that shares your vision.

What is your company doing in response to this?
Red Monk has embarked upon a period of growth after France’s Superprod acquired a majority stake in us in December. This investment has helped us hire a new team and, thanks to their expertise, we’re creating really high-quality programming. We’ve also moved into a new and bigger studio with better facilities in Milan, with an aim to grow our workforce to 80 from 60 by the end of the year.

Are physical animation studios essential or is working from home the future of the industry?
It depends on the structure of the studio and of the team. If they are well structured and there are no major creative or production issues on a project, remote working has no negative impact. But, on the flipside, it is crucial for a young studio to have the team in the same physical environment, so they can form bonds and creative relationships. It isn’t possible to form the same bonds online.

How do you feel about Disney’s decision to close many of its TV channels around the world?
It’s a sign of the times. The world is becoming increasingly globalised and, as a result, big companies are trying to centralise and contribute to the creation of a global culture. But I’m also convinced that linear channels are necessary because they are the ultimate expression of local cultures. If big companies are going to streamline, I hope they keep investing in the local content and local industries where they broadcast.

Tell us about the project you are pitching at Cartoon Forum.
Nadia (52×11′) has been created by Caterina Cappelli, a talented young woman who pitched the project at an event in Rome organised by Italian public broadcaster Rai. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to work on it and develop it.
It’s about a young girl called Nadia who is a witch trying to protect her hometown from evil forces. Nadia’s magic is linked to nature, and she uses herbs and plants to summon the power to save her home. We wanted to tackle nature and the environment and show kids it can be a great resource, without necessarily talking about the climate crisis.