Animation Lab

Animation Lab was an animation studio with operations in Jerusalem and Los Angeles. Established in 2006, it was backed by Jerusalem Venture Partners, an Israeli venture-capital firm, and was positioned as an internationally oriented production company focused on computer-generated animated features. Its principal announced project was The Wild Bunch, described as the first feature-length CGI animation film to be produced in Israel. The proposed story centered on genetically modified cornstalks attempting to take over a meadow inhabited by ordinary wildflowers, giving the project an ecological and fantastical premise intended for the international animation market. The studio attracted attention through the creative personnel attached to the project. Philip LaZebnik was hired to write the screenplay, while Alexander Williams was slated to make his directorial debut. These appointments suggested an effort to combine Israeli production infrastructure and venture backing with experienced international animation and screenwriting talent. The project was notable not only as a prospective commercial film but also as an attempt to establish Israel as a producer of large-scale, feature-length CGI animation. Animation Lab did not ultimately release a completed feature film. The company ceased operations in 2013, leaving The Wild Bunch unfinished or unreleased. As a result, Animation Lab's documented significance lies primarily in its early attempt to build an Israeli animation studio with global ambitions, rather than in a completed catalogue of branded entertainment products. Publicly available reference material does not establish a successor company, a later owner, a continuing production operation, or a released Animation Lab feature.

Animation Lab was founded in 2006 as an animation studio based in Jerusalem and Los Angeles. Its formation was supported by Jerusalem Venture Partners, an Israeli venture-capital firm. The studio's stated ambition was to participate in the feature-animation business through original computer-generated productions rather than operate only as a service provider. Its best-documented development was The Wild Bunch. The planned film was described as the first feature-length CGI animation film produced in Israel. Its story involved genetically modified cornstalks seeking to take over a meadow populated by common wildflowers. The premise placed environmental and biological themes within a family-oriented fantasy framework, while the planned use of CGI aligned the project with the dominant production model for internationally distributed animated features at the time. Animation Lab recruited notable creative personnel for the project. Philip LaZebnik was hired to write the screenplay, and Alexander Williams was slated to make his directorial debut. Their involvement indicated that the studio was attempting to develop a project with international creative credentials and commercial reach. The Jerusalem and Los Angeles presence likewise reflected a cross-border model, connecting Israeli financing and production ambitions with the broader North American animation ecosystem. Despite this early attention, the studio did not complete and release the proposed feature. Animation Lab ceased operations in 2013. Available reference material does not document a completed replacement project, a formal acquisition, a successor studio, or a later revival of the brand. Consequently, the company's historical importance is tied to its attempted establishment of an Israeli feature-animation venture and to The Wild Bunch as an unfinished development project. There is insufficient public information to provide a reliable account of the studio's internal management, production budget, financing terms, distribution arrangements, or detailed shutdown process.

• 2013

  Operations end

  [1]Animation Laben.wikipedia.org

  Animation Lab ceases operations before releasing a completed feature film.

• 2006

  Animation Lab is established

  [1]Animation Laben.wikipedia.org

  Animation Lab is founded as an animation studio operating from Jerusalem and Los Angeles, with backing from Jerusalem Venture Partners.

• 2006

  The Wild Bunch enters development

  [1]Animation Laben.wikipedia.org

  The studio begins developing The Wild Bunch, an intended feature-length CGI animation film set around genetically modified cornstalks and wildflowers.

An Israel-based, internationally oriented CGI animation studio backed by venture capital and focused on developing original feature-length animated films.

• Animated feature film in development · 2006

  The Wild Bunch

  The Wild Bunch was Animation Lab's principal announced production. It was conceived as a feature-length CGI animated film and was described as the first such feature to be produced in Israel. The story concerned genetically modified cornstalks attempting to take over a meadow populated by common wildflowers. Philip LaZebnik was attached as screenwriter, and Alexander Williams was slated to direct. The film was not completed or released before Animation Lab ceased operations.

• 2006

  Develop an original Israeli CGI featureProduct launch

  Background

  Animation Lab sought to establish itself as a feature-animation producer through The Wild Bunch, an original CGI project intended for international attention.

  Action taken

  The studio commissioned screenplay development, hired Philip LaZebnik, and attached Alexander Williams to make his directorial debut.

  Aftermath

  The project did not result in a released feature, and Animation Lab later ceased operations.

  Source

• 2013

  Animation Lab ceases operations without releasing a completed feature[1]Animation Laben.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The studio stopped operating before releasing a completed animated feature, ending the development effort associated with The Wild Bunch.

• 2006

  Animation Lab develops The Wild Bunch as an Israeli CGI feature project[1]Animation Laben.wikipedia.org

  Product launch · Other

  After its establishment, Animation Lab began developing The Wild Bunch, an intended feature-length CGI production presented as the first of its kind to be produced in Israel. Philip LaZebnik was hired to write the screenplay and Alexander Williams was attached to direct.

1. 1Animation Laben.wikipedia.org