Toronto-based virtual production studio Dark Slope has signaled its continued focus on the kids animation sector with the promotion of a key exec.

Christine Thompson has been named head of animation production at the studio, which launched in 2018 with a focus on immersive media (VR) and now has its sights set on the metaverse, multi-sensory experiences and high-tech animation projects. Thompson has been with Dark Slope since day one, overseeing CG-animated series, motion capture projects and asset prep for immersive projects in Unreal Engine.

At Dark Slope, her credits include the music-focused Babble Bop! on Peacock and Nickelodeon’s Ready Set Dance 2. Previously, at Brown Bag Films, Elliott Animation and Guru Studio, she worked on series such as Total Drama: Pahkitew Island, Bunsen is a Beast, The Fairly Odd Parents and PAW Patrol.

She has also overseen immersive projects such as Waking Wonderland, an AR experience from Atlanta-based Illuminarium Experiences and Canadian VR studio Secret Location that features animation and interactive technology.

Dark Slope president Dan Fill recently spoke with Kidscreen about the company’s metaverse ambitions, describing a strategy of  blending gaming, animation and VR to revitalize old formats and create a new, more immersive form of TV. He predicts that the metaverse is about 10 years out, but that in the interim, kids will increasingly expect more interactivity out of their content.