This one made a few of us a bit misty-eyed. (Especially those of us who didn’t make the move.) It’s our big, stuffed Bob, all packed up for his excursion south of the Mason-Dixon line. Is he happy about this? Is he smiling in there? We just don’t know.
What’s the old Big Idea space look like now? Check it out… (pictures courtesy Paul Tader)
This is the space where most of the animation crew sat.
A few leftover monitors.
That was my office on the left. Nifty tile, eh?
Old, dead computers. Notice all the SGI Octane workstations on the left. (Those weren’t cheap…) Out the windows you can actually spy into the Yorktown Mall. This room housed the 3-2-1 Penguins crew in their glory days, led creatively by the brilliant Ron Smith (now at Rhythm & Hues).
More dead tech. This room was painted black because it was our hi-def projection room where approvals were held during the production of Jonah.
Someone made a big, paper whale on the wall to inspire the animators during Jonah’s production. His lower jaw went missing, and this is all that’s left. Future tenants will wonder what the heck they’re looking at.
Someone made a big, paper whale on the wall to inspire the animators during Jonah’s production. His lower jaw went missing, and this is all that’s left. Future tenants will wonder what the heck they’re looking at.
So what does the NEW Big Idea look like?
Here’s the new space at “The Factory” in Franklin, TN.
Pretty jazzy, eh? If you look closely, you’ll notice the sign says, “Forefront Records.” That’s because the space was built out a few years ago to be the home of Forefront Records, an at-that-time happening Christian record label. But things are rough all over, and Forefront is no more. So the sign is down and a plush Bob and Larry hang in place of that blue neon ball thingy.
A few more pics…
Yup. It’s pretty groovy. And it’s got windows, too, which is great for the artists. It fits the new Big Idea’s staff of 22 or so pretty well, and there’s expansion room on the 2nd floor above since the record label located there (Bob Carlisle’s “Butterfly” something-or-other) just went bankrupt last week.
Things are rough all over.
So how’s Bob doing post-move? Here he is, finally out of his box…
He looks pretty happy, doesn’t he? Of course, he’s just standing at the front door, staring out the window. For hours on end. Like he’s waiting for somebody to come home or something…
Sigh.
Hi Phil. I know you hear this a lot but, I am your biggest FAN!!!!! You are my inspiration, my hero! I am reading your new book and I luv it! I have been to the new studio in Franklin TN. You probably know Tom Bancroft a former employee at Big Idea, well I once sent him some drawings that I did of Larry-Boy and he replied! May God Bless You, Stephen M. Troop
Woh I enjoy your blog posts, bookmarked ! .
are you still at Franklin Tennessee? if you are do you have tours for kids?
No, Big Idea no longer has a public office.
Hey Phil my name is Gregory I’m a VeggieTales fan. And I HEARD you and Mike nawrocki are not making VeggieTales anymore. I really want new VeggieTales episodes so badly! I missed the live shows! I really want new episodes and more live shows! If you and Mike don’t so it. Then I will cry nonstop. That’s all I have to say.
Your friend Gregory. P.S God made you special and he loves you very much!
Hi Phil. I’m not sure if you still read these posts, but I’ve been trying to get a hold of someone who can help me with an issue regarding digital downloads of your ‘What’s In The Bible?’ series. Customer service from the website was not much help. I may try to contact ‘Friends & Heroes’ directly or Jellyfish One LLC if this post goes nowhere. Hope you can help.
Frank L.
Cross Waves Church