Creating animation is an intricate and lengthy process that includes storyboarding, rendering, composition, and lighting, often requiring teams to revisit work for revisions based on directorial feedback before finalising scenes. Recognising these challenges, Cheehoo, a startup founded by a combination of Hollywood executives and technology experts, aims to simplify the animation production process through AI-driven tools.
Originating from the production company Rideback, known for its work on the Lego Movie franchise, Cheehoo’s founding team includes co-CEOs Michael LoFaso and Jonathan Eirich, alongside co-founder Dan Lin. They are joined by notable figures such as former DreamWorks Animation president Chris deFaria and ex-Apple AI researchers Hubert Tsai and Wei-Cheng Kuo.
In discussions with TechCrunch, LoFaso highlighted the escalating complexities and costs in Hollywood’s animation creation, making it increasingly difficult for creators to implement their ideas. Cheehoo’s mission is to design a tool that aligns seamlessly with the creative workflows, thereby alleviating the burdens faced by animators.
Cheehoo’s innovative tools facilitate rapid prototyping and iteration, assisting with crucial tasks like data annotation and ensuring consistency across file formats. This streamlined workflow, compatible with existing platforms like Maya and Unreal, enables creators to adjust animations and observe changes in real time. Users retain control by choosing to enable or disable AI features throughout the editing process. The startup employs proprietary AI models for character and asset development while also supporting integration of third-party models from renowned entities such as OpenAI and Runway for enhanced tasks like post-generation and scene composition.
Although Cheehoo has not disclosed any official launch partners, the company is collaborating with a variety of intellectual property holders, studios, and creators. It has successfully raised $10 million in funding, with Greycroft spearheading the investment alongside contributions from Point72 Ventures, Basis Set, Headline Asia, Powerhouse Capital, Playground Productions, and Rideback.
Brentt Baltimore from Greycroft expressed confidence in Cheehoo’s capability to transform animation production economics, noting that the innovations could empower sophisticated creators to develop animated films without the need for costly studio infrastructure. Cheehoo aims to democratise high-end animation workflows, enabling both independent filmmakers and individuals to explore their creativity while retaining essential artistic control.
Looking ahead, LoFaso indicated that while their focus remains on enterprise and professional users, Cheehoo plans to introduce more consumer-centric products. This strategic move is expected to position Cheehoo competitively against other startups such as Cartwheel and Cinamon, which are also developing tools aimed at simplifying animation production processes.
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