We offer a wide range of services, and every project of Studio Zmei is overseen by an in-house artistic and production team. In this way, we ensure high-quality artistic work, efficient organization, and adherence to agreed-upon deadlines.
2D animation
We have several animation teams that work with all major 2D animation software—ToonBoom Harmony, Adobe Animate, and TvPaint. We have worked on films and TV series using digital cut-out animation, digital hand-drawn animation, and a mix of both. We can handle every stage of the animation process—layout, rough animation, in-betweening, and keyframes all the way through to final color. We’re also able to quickly adapt to new software packages.
Design
At Studio Zmei, we can handle every stage of the design process, from characters to sets and environments. For characters, we can handle everything from initial research, design briefs, and color schemes to the final presentation. We have also developed characters for trailers and other promotional materials.
We have worked in a variety of styles—from content for children to game trailers and commercials aimed at adult audiences.
When it comes to designing and developing sets and environments, we can also offer a variety of styles—we’ve created everything from realistic, anime-inspired music videos to stylized animated series.
We have developed comprehensive styles for our own products, but our team can also work as a subcontractor on an existing style, where we implement designs and colors based on the production requirements.
Production
In addition to our own animated series and films, we can produce end-to-end short-format projects such as animated commercials, trailers, and music videos.
We have produced commercials and short films, starting with just a basic idea or script, for all kinds of audiences. With this approach, we can handle everything from development to the final image, music, and voice-over.
Co-production
In addition to our experience as a subcontracting studio, Studio Zmei is responsible for the first co-produced animated series in the history of Bulgarian animation.
“The Crunchers” is the first co-production series featuring Bulgarian participation ever to be broadcast on Bulgarian National Television. The production is supported by the MEDIA program.
Our second co-production—“Once Upon a Time… the Objects!”—is the first animated series supported by the National Film Center.
The studio is currently working on several co-productions at various stages of development, including a feature film in development.
Local funding
Government funding
Bulgaria has a system in place for reimbursing production costs for animated series and feature films, amounting to 25% of costs incurred within the country. The system is improved every year; currently, the minimum expenditure required to qualify is €20,000 for any production longer than 24 minutes, and the maximum reimbursement amount reaches €1 million.
In addition, Bulgaria’s participation in a co-production earns bonus points when applying to the “MEDIA” program, where funding of up to €500,000 per production is available.
In addition to co-productions, Studio Zmeyi is also responsible for the first animated film financed through the cost-recovery system of the National Film Center. We have extensive experience in utilizing local and European funding, including several projects in which we have participated that were supported by MEDIA.
Get in touch with us
If you have any questions, need additional information, or would like to contact our team, please do not hesitate to write to us. We will be happy to help you!
