WELCOME TO THE UNBOUND LABS
‘The Animazombs’ is a mystery/adventure series created by Ashley Yeates which follows youngsters Sophie & Max in their quest to find their missing Grandfather, the amazing Professor Unbound!
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Set in a world where animals are extinct, the Professor was one of the chosen few trying to bring them back to life. Edging closer to success he seemingly rubbed up the wrong people, and when the kids investigate, they encounter the fruits of his labour in the secretive Unbound Labs - his lovable, dopey, animal-zombies: the 'Animazombs' - and together they team up to unravel a mystery of existential consequence!
UMM... ANIMAL ZOMBIES ?!
Initially launched as a soft-toy on Kickstarter, Animazombs began when a friend jokingly remarked during a game of Dead Island that in all zombie pandemics, the animals escaped unscathed - and imagining a zombie giraffe wandering about was too comical to ignore. An obsession was born.
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I sketched ideas for a soft-toy range and briefly collaborated with a London design agency, where I met illustrator Jon. Costs proved prohibitive, so I turned directly to factories. After countless revisions, the first batch of Animazombs launched on Kickstarter in 2013.
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The characters proved a hit at Comic Cons and other events, with products selling out. Planning Series 2, I re-engaged Jon, but high MOQs and crowdfunding setbacks led to a period of refocus from 2014–2017. During this time, I developed the series further, working part-time to refine the world and characters.
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This persistence paid off: Jon and I created a new pitch bible, which eventually reached the right hands at ShadowMachine. Animazombs is now developing into an animated series, and with renewed momentum, I'm preparing a fresh Kickstarter and a relaunch of the full soft-toy range, bringing the world of Animazombs to both new and longtime fans.
SO, WHAT'S THE STORY?
In this epic show, we follow the adventures of Max & Sophie Unbound (and their awesome new neighbour Bartley!) along with the crazy ensemble of lovable Animazombs!
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The disappearance of their grandfather, Professor Unbound, thrusts them into a world of wonder as the kids find themselves tied to the curiosities of his Laboratory, but with corrupt forces in pursuit, they're challenged with more than just his rescue as they unravel new and greater mysteries afoot.
With an intriguing cast of characters, environments, and world lore, the Animazombs not only promises an exciting adventure, but seamlessly integrates and highlights real environmental threats facing the animal kingdom, alongside more complex themes such as the singularity and the impact of A.I. in modern society.
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Max's To-Do List -
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DON'T PANIC
Locate Grandpa
Finish latest drone design
Find better power source (the hamster?!?)
Stop Wilson the Giraffe wrecking lab
- Sophie's To-Do List -
Stay cool (panic inside)
Rescue Grandpa
Fight off evil threat / hockey practice
Help Grandpa get animals back
- Bartley's To-Do List -
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PANIC!!!!
Get long-nosed horses back
Get angry-fluffy-hat horses back
Get bitey-swimmy horses back
Learn animal names from history class
- Ash's To-Do List -
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Find my greenlight (it's out there somewhere!)
Stay positive, driven, and focu...
Relaunch the toys!!
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