Sad Man Studio is a creative studio producing animation and visual arts, founded by Samuel Leighton-Dore (artist, writer) & Bradley Tennant (designer, producer).

  • We produce original, creator-driven animation for Film & TV, partnering with established local & international co-production companies who share a love for bold, authored stories. 

  • We produce ambitious visual artworks for exhibition and acquisition, partnering with curators and community sectors seeking work that engages with heart and humour.

ANIMATION (News)

Ludo Studio, Mad Ones to launch queer coming-of-age comedy ‘WILLY’ at Annecy

“Writer/director Samuel Leighton-Dore will present his animated sitcom WILLY at next week’s Annecy Animation Festival and Market, as part of the first official Australian delegation.

Produced by Ludo Studio and Mad Ones, the series is currently in development and will be pitched to international buyers by Leighton-Dore and the producers, accompanied by a proof-of-concept trailer released today.”

ART (News)

Exhibition: Souter’s Bondi Opens At Bondi Pavillion

“Souter’s Bondi returns a beloved local artifact to Bondi Beach, for contemporary viewing. The project celebrates Souter as a pivotal figure of the Art Deco style in Australian illustration. Featuring four of his iconic murals, the exhibition will explore social changes and themes of leisure, gender, local identity, and mythology.

Contemporary art commissions inspired by Souter’s murals will be presented by four artists along with a series of loaned works. The exhibition will explore social changes and themes of leisure, gender, local identity, and mythology. By examining Souter’s work through diverse artistic lenses, its content and context is extended and deepened.”

SHORTS

SENSITIVE GYM BROS (2023)

SGB is an animated short about big beefy men discussing big scary feelings the only way they know how: through gym and weightlifting terminology. Speaking almost exclusively in tortured metaphor, our Aussie meatheads tenderize each other with unexpected earnestness and well-intentioned but often misguided advice.