How a Midwestern Studio Found Its Place at the Stop-Motion Table
In the heart of Oklahoma City, nestled next to the city’s best Thai restaurant, you’ll find Loud Cloud Animation Studio—a cozy, 1700-square-foot space where we produce “handcrafted stories & worlds.” We’re not your typical animation studio. We’re based far from the bustling streets of LA or Portland, but that hasn’t stopped us from earning our seat at the stop-motion table. In fact, our location has become one of our greatest assets, allowing us to compete with the big players in ways you might not expect.
The Advantage of Lower Costs
Operating out of Oklahoma City means we enjoy some serious advantages, starting with the cost of living. Let’s be real—there’s no way we could afford a space like this in LA or Oregon. The savings on rent alone allow us to invest more in what matters most: creativity, innovation, and our people. Lower overhead means we can offer competitive pricing to our clients without sacrificing quality. It also means we can pour more resources into refining our craft, ensuring that every frame we create is as polished and unique as the last.
A Growing Talent Pool
Oklahoma City is experiencing a creative boom similar to what Austin, Texas, saw over the last decade. Artists are flocking here for the affordable lifestyle and the chance to do what they love without breaking the bank. This influx of talent has been a game-changer for us. Just last year, we hosted the first-ever OKC Animation Industry Meetup, and over 70 animators from across the state showed up to network and support one another. That was just year one. We can’t wait to see what this year’s meetup will look like later this September. As our industry grows, so does our ability to pull from a diverse and innovative pool of talent, giving us an edge that rivals any coastal studio.
The Power of Specialization
Early in my career, I learned the value of being a specialist over a generalist. That lesson led directly to the development of Loud Cloud—a niche production house that’s so specialized, there’s basically nobody else in the state (or surrounding states) who can produce content at our level. This focus on stop-motion has allowed us to carve out a unique space in the market, free from the pressures of oversaturation. We’re not just another animation studio; we’re a stop-motion powerhouse with a distinct creative identity.
The Pandemic’s Silver Lining
If there’s one thing the pandemic taught us, it’s that you don’t need to be physically located in traditional industry hubs to compete on a global scale. Through a combination of platforms like Tongal and a lot of old-fashioned hustling (think cold-calling agencies with PLENTY of awkward voice mails), we’ve managed to get our foot in the door with brands like LEGO, Universal Pictures, Jansport, Nickelodeon, and the SYFY channel. With Covid-19 leveling the playing field, it became easier for studios like ours to connect with big-name clients. But easier access doesn’t mean guaranteed success—you still have to prove you can deliver, and we’ve done just that.
Proving Our Worth
Having a seat at the stop-motion table isn’t just about showing up; it’s about proving you belong there. At Loud Cloud, we’ve shown time and again that we can compete on every front—creatively and financially. Thanks to our lower overhead, specialized talent, and relentless focus on quality, we’re able to deliver top-tier work at competitive prices. And that’s why our clients keep coming back.
Why We Deserve a Seat at the Table
What sets Loud Cloud apart isn’t just our location or our pricing; it’s our core values. We’re a people-centric studio that believes in the power of collaboration. We’re process-oriented, embracing the iterative nature of stop-motion productions from start to finish. And above all, we’re passionate about what we do. These values guide everything we create, and they’re the reason why we’ve earned our seat at the stop-motion table.
So, if you’re looking for a studio that can deliver high-quality, handcrafted stories & worlds—without the West Coast overhead—look no further than Loud Cloud Animation Studio. We’ve proven that talent and creativity matter more than geography, and we’re excited to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible from right here in Oklahoma City.