What is 'Hullabaloo'?

'Hullabaloo' is an animated sci-fi adventure set in a fantastic Steampunk world created by veteran Disney animator, James Lopez.

Hullabaloo Steampunk Animation from James Lopez on Vimeo.

'Hullabaloo' is a 2D (hand-drawn) animated steampunk film that hopes to help preserve the dying art of 2D animation; and by supporting this project, you get to help save 2D animation from an untimely demise. We want you to join us in making a short film that will showcase the world of Hullabaloo, which we can show to investors to fund a full length 2D feature. 2D animation is a beautiful but dying art form that the animation studios have all but abandoned. But if we can fund this film with your help, we will be able to show investors that people really do want to see a feature length animated steampunk film, allowing us to get the tremendous amount of funding needed to complete Hullabaloo as the full-length feature we believe you want to see. In addition to helping save 2D animation, Hullabaloo aims to encourage girls to explore science and adventure. The film's two protagonists are both young women and both scientists who use their intellect, wits, and courage to fight greed and corruption. We hope that Veronica Daring and her friend Jules will serve as positive role models for girls of all ages and encourage them to get excited about science, engineering, and sci-fi.

To learn more about what steampunk is, go here: Steampunk 101

What is 'Hullabaloo' about?

Hullabaloo is the story of Veronica Daring, a brilliant young scientist who returns home from an elite finishing school to find her father--the eccentric inventor Jonathan Daring--missing without a trace! The only clue left behind points Veronica toward Daring Adventures, an abandoned amusement park used by her father to test his fantastical steam-powered inventions. There she discovers a strange girl named Jules, a fellow inventor who agrees to help Veronica in locating her missing father and discovering the secrets of his work.

Together, Veronica and Jules learn that Jonathan Daring has been kidnapped by a mysterious group of influential persons, who seek to use his latest invention for nefarious purposes. These villains are wealthy and influential and neither Veronica nor Jules can stop them openly. But determined to save her father and holding true to the family creed that technology should be used for the good of all, not the greed of some, Veronica assumes the secret identity of "Hullabaloo", a goggled crusader who uses wits and science to combat evil and oppose the nefarious conspiracy that has taken her father.

But the question remains: what are the villains up to? What do they plan to do with Jonathan Daring's mysterious new technology? And will Veronica and Jules be able to stop them in time?

About the team

Hullabaloo is being created by a team of veteran Disney artists and animators with over 100 years of experience in the animation film industry. They are led by James Lopez, himself a veteran Disney animator with 25 years of experience in the industry. Lopez, who currently teaches animation at CalArts, has worked on numerous Disney films, including The Lion King, The Princess and the Frog, Pocahontas, Flushed Away, Hercules, The Emperor's New Groove, and the Oscar-winning Paperman. In addition, the rest of the creative team includes talent that has worked on films such as Frozen, Aladdin, Wreck-It Ralph, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Enchanted, and Prince of Egypt.

To learn more about James Lopez's animation work and other projects, please visit his website at www.jameslopezanimation.com

Hullabaloo Steampunk Animation part 2 from James Lopez on Vimeo.