Baobab Studios Will Be Teaming Up With John Legend For A New Virtual Reality Series Called Rainbow Crow
Baobab Studios, the creators behind award winning Invasion! and Asteroids!, has announced today that they’ll be partnering up with the one-and-only John Legend to bring a new animated VR series called Rainbow Crow.
John Legend is a 10-time Grammy award winner that has trumped many milestones in his multi-faceted career. He will be one of the most notable stars to enter the virtual reality space, fully embracing it as an incredible and innovative medium for artistic expression.
Along with John Legend will be Ty Stiklorius who joins the endeavor in creating this colorful animated VR series, Rainbow Crow. Baobab Studios plans on premiering the first in the series this month at New York City’s Tribeca Film Festival, April 19-29.
“Rainbow Crow brings storytelling and music together in a way no one else has yet in virtual reality. It’s an incredible medium for inspiring a journey of self-discovery and finding your way in times to darkness,” explains John Legend. “In light of what’s going on in today’s world, it’s a message of deep meaning that people from all walks of life can embrace.”
“We are excited to see John Legend diving into the VR space along with Ty, and Baobab Studios to debut this important project at Tribeca Film Festival,” says Jane Rosenthal, Co-Founder, Tribeca Film Festival. “What better talents and story to highlight the festival’s theme this year of blurred screens.”
Rainbow Crow is a rich story originating from the Lenape Tribe about a bird with the most dazzling plumage and mellifluous voice, who, after the planet turns dark and cold, must journey far from home to bring light back to the world. The Rainbow Crow series will be narrated by Kiowa-Caddo tribal elder, Randy Edmonds, an 82-year-old lifelong crusader for Native American rights and founder of the National Urban Indian Council.
“All Native American tales have a tradition of deep meaning and that’s why we tell the stories, sharing down the generations,” explains Tribal Elder, Randy Edmonds, who left Oklahoma in 1954 for Southern California as part of the Indian Relocation Act. “When I look at the impact these legends have, the insights they represent, taking that storytelling to a modern medium is extremely exciting. The beautiful VR work being created -inspired by our folklore- is like nothing I’ve ever experienced in my many years.”
“We all have experienced the emotions that John’s music solicits,” says Maureen Fan, CEO and co-founder, Baobab Studios. “He is an incredible innovator across all mediums, from song to film, and now to VR — both in front of and behind the camera. Rainbow Crow is a profound storytelling about perseverance, diversity and acceptance. Not only are the characters diverse, but so is our joint production team. Our shared values and ethos is another reason we’re so excited to work with John and Ty.”
We’ll be looking forward to checking out the film at Tribeca Film Festival.