
Character animation studio in Amsterdam
We can make squirrels talk, people fly and bananas orbit the moon.
Clear and clever communication with a healthy dose of humor – that’s our mark at Studio Pupil.
When creating characters and stories, the liveliness that traditional drawing brings lies at the heart of our craft. Then we boost that with the oomph of today’s digital animation techniques.
Studio Pupil produces both independent films and commissioned work for clients of all shapes and sizes. With our team of dedicated directors and producers, we are equipped to take on projects from head to toe; from first draft to final product.
Feed us your ideas and we’ll help to express your message in a way that’s clear and entertaining, possibly hilarious and always full of character.
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Clipphanger – Waarom is roken slecht voor je?
Clipphangers, an edutaining series for Dutch broadcaster NTR, explain things you’ve always wanted to know. This episode: Why is smoking bad for you?

MedMij
In a friendly and reliable tone, MedMij informs Dutchies about its aim to collect all medical records within one platform.

Show Your Love in 2017!
Studio Pupil sent out a happy new year card featuring two slices of bread, wishing friends and colleagues a 2017 full of love.

Topdoks – Bloedzuigers
Dutch television show Topdoks used animated fragments throughout its episodes to explain and entertain. This fragment: The why and how of bloodsuckers.

Topdoks – Hersenen
Dutch television show Topdoks used animated fragments throughout its episodes to explain and entertain. This fragment: What do your brains do when you're studying?

Topdoks – Carianne
Dutch television show Topdoks used animated fragments throughout its episodes to reconstruct kids' accidents. This fragment tells the story of ice skater Carianne.

Topdoks – Chengiz
Dutch television show Topdoks used animated fragments throughout its episodes to reconstruct kids' accidents. This fragment tells the story of Chengiz.

AutThere
People with autism were informed and entertained by this animation promoting the app AutThere.

Sesamstraat – Papegaaitje leef je nog
This classic Dutch children's song about a parrot is the perfect recipe for a Busby Berkeley kind of breakfast, in this music video created for Sesame Street.

HotelNetSolutions
HotelNetSolutions efficiently presented the advantages of its 'One Page Booking' system through a fun explanimation.

Koken met van Boven – leader
Recipes in books are being turned into mouth-watering meals in this leader for Dutch cooking show Koken met van Boven.

Tabook
While browsing the bookstore 19-year-old Gwen is unexpectedly drawn to a volume of kinky erotica, in this film directed by Dario van Vree. Take a look behind the scenes at tabook.nl

De Boterhamshow
De Boterhamshow, a daily talk show for young kids, features a short playful animation every day.

Studio Snugger – Sjoerd
Sjoerd Snugger, the host of Dutch television show Studio Snugger, goes through some very unfortunate events in these animated fragments created for several seasons of the show.

Schone Kleren Campagne
Through a very fitting design this animation encouraged viewers to learn more about the Schone Kleren Campagne.

Clipphanger – Kennen/kunnen
Kids and teens are taught grammer with a series of Clipphangers. This episode: The difference between 'kennen' and 'kunnen'.

Topdoks – leader
A collection of colourful and smooth references to the human body opened all episodes of Dutch television series Topdoks, aimed at 8 to 12-year-old kids.

Sesamstraat – De wielen van de bus
An excited bus drive entails while 'The Wheels On The Bus' plays in this music video created for Sesame Street, co-directed with illustrator Ineke Goes.

Paulo de Papegaai – Vierkant/Square
As part of Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Paulo the Parrot teaches children aged 3 to 7 about linguistics and mathematics through the wonders of art.

50 jaar Het Balletorkest
Interviews with the Dutch Ballet Orchestra combined with elegant visuals made for a compelling short film, celebrating and promoting the Orchestra's anniversary.

Bosch in a Minute – Michael Jackson
Promoting their involvement in the unique Hieronymus Bosch exhibit that took place in 2016, Dutch bank Rabobank treated their viewers to a series of fun facts around Bosch.

Bosch in a Minute – Dior
Promoting their involvement in the unique Hieronymus Bosch exhibit that took place in 2016, Dutch bank Rabobank treated their viewers to a series of fun facts around Bosch.

Hart voor de Zaak – Gesprek met jezelf
Animated fragments informed and entertained the viewers throughout episodes of Hart voor de Zaak, a Dutch television series on entrepreneurship.

Hart voor de Zaak – leader
Slick design, warm character animation and a recognisable story set the tone for each episode of Hart voor de Zaak, a Dutch television series on entrepreneurship.

Mobisol, plug in the world
Without any words, so that all around the world can understand, this animation explains the Mobisol system where people can pay for sun energy with their phone.

Clipphanger – Wat is een algoritme?
Clipphangers, an edutaining series for Dutch broadcaster NTR, explain things you’ve always wanted to know. This episode: What is an algorithm?

Sesamstraat – Zigeunermeisje
A cute bunch of animals on the beach save a lost gypsy girl, in this music video for Sesame Street, based on a children's song.

Sesamstraat – 3 schuintamboers
Sesame Street is entangled in marriage proposals in this music video based on a classic Dutch children's song.

MIK Cultural Education
MIK Cultural Education presented itself and its goal through an enjoyable and clear animation.

KLIK West Coast Tour
The KLIK Amsterdam Animation Festival promoted its West Coast Tour with a fun and quirky promo.

Studio Snugger – Stoplicht
Dutch television show Studio Snugger used animated fragments throughout its episodes to explain fun facts. This episode: Rain detectors for traffic lights keep you relatively dry.

Happy new year! 2018
Studio Pupil sent out a happy new year card in 2018, which features an eye-guy building a snowman.

Clipphanger – Wanneer eindigt een werkwoord op d, t of dt?
Kids and teens are taught grammer with a series of Clipphangers. This episode: When does a verb end with d, t or dt?

Clipphanger – Wat is fetisjisme?
Clipphangers, an edutaining series for Dutch broadcaster NTR, explain things you’ve always wanted to know. This episode: What is a fetish?

Paulo de Papegaai – commercial
Paulo the Parrot presents visitors of educational organisations the linguistics and mathematics program of Museum Boijmans van Beuningen.

IAM Magazine
A brief, elegant introduction to IAM Magazine, the first artistic platform that celebrates women in the fields of visual arts, fashion, design and architecture in Africa.

Studio Snugger – Poep op de maan
Dutch television show Studio Snugger used animated fragments throughout its episodes to explain fun facts. This episode: There's poop on the moon.

Den Haag Jongerenstadslab
The Hague sent out an animated call to action to the city's teens, inviting them to an event talking about the city's policies.

Sesamstraat – Je bent als vlieg nooit veilig
The tragic life of a fly, who's never ever safe, is portrayed in this catchy music video for Sesame Street.

Sesamstraat – Mijn vader is een waterpaard
A sweet music video for Sesame Street about a boy playing horse with his father.

Clipphanger – Wat doet de gemeenteraad?
Clipphangers, an edutaining series for Dutch broadcaster NTR, explain things you’ve always wanted to know. This episode: What does the municipal council do?

Doe maar gewoon!
Three short animations commissioned by Foundation ZON, aiming to reduce the stigmatisation of mental illness.

Wisebits – Telescoop
Science center NEMO explained the beginnings of the telescope through a short animation, part of the RVU Wisebits series.

Studio Snugger – Eiland
Dutch television show Studio Snugger had a recurring series of fragments throughout its episodes, based on classic jokes. This fragment: Three men are stuck on an island...

Super
Albert gets lost in the seductive world of pretty packages in this film directed by Johan Klungel and produced by The Drawing Room.

Clipphanger – leader
Clipphangers, an Dutch series of animations, explain something you’ve always wanted to know. Every episode starts with this leader.

Nachtkino
A series of midnight screenings in Kriterion Cinema was promoted online and in cinemas with this mysterious animation.

Wisebits – De swifterbantman
This episode of the RVU Wisebits series discusses the secret that gave away the new polder: The Swifterbantman.

Fauna Sutra
What would the world look like if people had the same sexual feelings as some animals do? This informative and bizarre short film by Johan Klungel gives you the answer.

BNN – idents
A collection of 40 ultra short idents for Dutch television station BNN, directed by Greg Lawson, featuring the antics of Dennis, Dylan and their roommate Wodka.

George’s New Place
It seems George has everything perfectly arranged in his new place, in this short film by Dario van Vree, made during his studies at the renowned KASK.
Projects in development
Studio Pupil develops its own IP, and (co-)produces independent animation projects by Dutch and international talent. Always with the aim to create pieces that are engaging and impactful, original and ambitious.

House of Broken Hearts
Web series / young adults (18-35) / digital 2D / in development / directed by Aisha Madu. A collection of tragicomic stories detailing the breakups of 8 young adults and their lovers.

Gene Zijde
Series / adults / digital 2D and photo collage / in concept / directed by Dario van Vree. A mystery-drama set in 1885 in Amsterdam, about a group of people whose lives get increasingly controlled by Spiritism.

Varken
Short / young adults (18-35) / digital 2D / in development / directed by Jorn Leeuwerink. A tragicomic, absurd fable that summarizes a complex side of human history into a quirky, seriously funny animated short.

Sisterhood of the Meadow
Feature film / family (8+) / digital 2D / in development / directed by Marlyn Spaaij. A folklore-inspired adventure about sisterhood, growing up and growing apart.

Good Enough
TV special / adults / digital 2D and collage / in development / directed by Dario van Vree. When illustrator Maaike Hartjes gets hit by a burn-out, her worst fear becomes reality: she can no longer be perfect.

Outsider
Short / adults / digital 2D / in development / directed by Jan-Dirk Bouw. A poetic animated documentary in which Outsider Art and semi-abstract animation merge.

Dario van Vree
Following his animation studies at the prestigious KASK academy in Belgium, Dario has been directing animation with an eye for the weird, the incentive and the power of character performance. His work is characterized by clarity, humor and a love for paradoxes.
Besides directing, Dario teaches animation at the Willem de Kooning Academy and co-founded the KLIK Amsterdam Animation Festival.
- dario@studiopupil.com

Tünde Vollenbroek
Producer Tünde lives and breathes animation, 12FPS, 24/7. She produces both Pupil’s independent and commissioned projects. With a sharp eye for talent and opportunities, she enables everyone involved to do what they do best.
Besides producing, Tünde writes for animation’s #1 industry source Cartoon Brew, curates the KLIK Amsterdam Animation Festival, and serves as board member of the European Animation Awards.
- tunde@studiopupil.com

Iris Frankhuizen
Originally an animator herself, Iris merged her love for the medium and organising into one: animation production. She assists Studio Pupil with back-office operations.

Johan Klungel
Director, character designer and animator Johan is a frequent Pupil collaborator, including projects such as ‘Topdoks’ and ‘Sesame Street’.
Contact
Let’s talk about what we can create together! We’d be happy to hear from you via:
- Tünde Vollenbroek
- tunde@studiopupil.com
- +31 (0)6 47264049
Address
- Tweede Leeghwaterstraat 7f
- 1018RA Amsterdam
- Paardekraalstraat 10hs
- 1092JB Amsterdam
Internships
Internship positions are filled until Summer 2019, but still open for Fall/Winter 2019 – contact us at:
- contact@studiopupil.com

Jobs
There are no job openings at the moment. If you’re a freelance artist working within the Netherlands you can send us your portfolio:
- contact@studiopupil.com