| Field | Animation, live-action films, theme park |
| Founded | 1920s |
| Founder | Not provided in summary |
| Location | |
| Expansion | Live-action films • New Holland Adventure theme park |
| Best known for | "Dreamscape" animation |
| Notable animators |
Big Dream Studios is a New Hollandian film studio based in Amsterdam, specializing in animation and live-action movies. Founded in the 1920s, the studio is known for its distinctive dreamscape animation technique and for collaborating with influential filmmakers from around the world.
Big Dream Studios was founded in 1927 by Dutch animators Louis le Prince and Carel Struycken. Inspired by the early animation techniques of the 1920s, the duo sought to create a new form of animation that would blend the medium's inherent fantasy with a more sophisticated, adult sensibility. They began developing their ''dreamscape'' style, which creates a dream-like atmosphere using a combination of live-action, animation, and green screen backdrop.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Big Dream Studios produced a variety of short films and animation sequences for New Hollandian and international films. In 1945, the studio began working on its first feature-length film, "Sjirzen," which was released to critical acclaim in 1947.
Big Dream Studios' ''dreamscape'' animation became increasingly popular during the 1950s, as the studio produced a number of notable short films and animated sequences. In 1962, they released the critically acclaimed feature-length film, "Ella's Dream," the story of a young woman who creates a magical world from her dreams. The film brought Big Dream Studios international recognition and acclaim for its innovative animation style.
Over the years, Big Dream Studios has collaborated with numerous international filmmakers, including Hayao Miyazaki, Tim Burton, and Federico Fellini. Miyazaki worked with the studio on his 1988 film "My Neighbor Totoro," using their dreamscape animation to create the film's whimsical and otherworldly atmosphere. Burton directed the 1999 adaptation of "Sleepy Hollow," which featured dreamscape animation sequences. Fellini used the technique in his surrealist 1973 film, "Amarcord."
More recently, the studio has worked with Korean director Bong Joon-ho on his 2013 film "Snowpiercer," contributing dreamscape animation sequences for the film's action-packed fight scenes.
Following the success of its dreamscape animation, Big Dream Studios expanded its range to include live-action films. The studio's first live-action feature film, "Love in the Netherlands," was released in 1986 and became a box-office hit. Over the years, Big Dream Studios has produced a number of notable live-action films, including "The Vanishing" (1988), "The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole" (1985), and "Kirikou and the Sorceress" (1998).
In 2022, Big Dream Studios announced plans to create "New Holland Adventure," a theme park that will feature rides, attractions, and interactive exhibits based on the studio's films and characters. The theme park is set to open in 2025 and is expected to draw visitors from around the world.
