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Noodle and Bun's Epic Journey in Animated World Domination

Noodle and Bun by Polycat Animation
The Noodle and Bun series, the brainchild of Polycat Animation, found a home with Canal Plus+, a distribution giant in France. Beyond the digital realm, Noodle and Bun ventured onto the international stage as contestants on talent shows such as “France, Britain, and America’s Got Talent.” With a substantial following of over 1.48 million on YouTube, the duo has not only entertained but also ventured into the exciting world of merchandise. Currently, the studio is actively engaged in the creation of their animated film project.
Noodle, the mischievous wobbly cat, and Bun, the odd-looking Pug, embark on a new adventure in the film project. The narrative weaves through encounters with ancient evil, new friendships, and acts of kindness, all while navigating the humorous escapades that define their characters.
Polycat Animation faces challenges such as a tight timeline and budget constraints, all while working with a smaller team than typical for a full-length animated feature. Their goals revolve around optimizing the production pipeline, fostering collaboration, and creating sustainable, globally recognized animated film projects in Africa.
Autodesk’s suite of tools, particularly Maya, played a pivotal role in overcoming challenges. The robust animation toolkit in Maya streamlined the process, requiring less training and enhancing collaboration. The Autodesk Media and Entertainment Collections, coupled with their Arnold packages, not only optimized costs but also contributed to a more efficient workflow. The teams favorite features include the Animation graph editor, Arnold integration, Maya’s Rigging capabilities, Plug-in and Alembic support.
According to Wilgen, the M&E 5-pack Arnold packages that were included saved about 20% of the budget versus if they had to purchase a renderer separately. Scheduled for delivery in early 2026, the film will be 85 minutes long. Meanwhile, the ongoing Noodle and Bun web series utilizes the same software solutions, with the Polycat team producing an episode every six weeks. This dual approach showcases the versatility and effectiveness of their chosen tools in both short-form web content and feature-length animation.
The implemented solutions not only conquered challenges but set a precedent for future endeavors. Cutting-edge tools not only optimized workflow but also fostered a collaborative environment, proving instrumental in achieving artistic milestones. The success of the project lays the foundation for continued innovation and excellence in the animation production process
Case Testimonial: Noodle and Bun’s Epic Journey in Animated World Domination
Background: Having graduated with top honors in 2012, Roodt and Wilgen garnered recognition at the New York Film Festival for their exceptional graduation short films. The inception of Polycat Animation in 2014 was fueled by their combined expertise in computers, networking, and a profound love for animation. Their commitment to providing optimal working conditions for artists laid the foundation for a studio that prioritizes excellence.
Noodle and Bun’s Success Story: The Noodle and Bun series, a brainchild of Polycat Animation, found a home with Canal Plus+, a distribution giant in France. Beyond the digital realm, Noodle and Bun ventured onto the international stage as contestants on talent shows such as “France, Britain, and America’s Got Talent.” With a substantial following of over 1.48 million on YouTube, the duo has not only entertained but also ventured into the exciting world of merchandise. Currently, the studio is actively engaged in the creation of their animated film project.
Project Summary: Noodle, the mischievous wobbly cat, and Bun, the odd-looking Pug, embark on a new adventure in the film project. The narrative weaves through encounters with ancient evil, new friendships, and acts of kindness, all while navigating the humorous escapades that define their characters.
Challenges and Goals: Polycat Animation faces challenges such as a tight timeline and budget constraints, all while working with a smaller team than typical for a full-length animated feature. Their goals revolve around optimizing the production pipeline, fostering collaboration, and creating sustainable, globally recognized animated film projects in Africa.
Solutions: Autodesk’s suite of tools, particularly Maya, played a pivotal role in overcoming challenges. The robust animation toolkit in Maya streamlined the process, requiring less training and enhancing collaboration. The Autodesk Media and Entertainment Collections, coupled with their Arnold packages, not only optimized costs but also contributed to a more efficient workflow. The teams favorite features include the Animation graph editor, Arnold integration, Maya’s Rigging capabilities, Plug-in and Alembic support According to Wilgen, the M&E 5-pack Arnold packages that were included saved about 20% of the budget versus if they had to purchase a renderer separately.
Conclusion: The implemented solutions not only conquered challenges but set a precedent for future endeavors. Cutting-edge tools not only optimized workflow but also fostered a collaborative environment, proving instrumental in achieving artistic milestones. The success of the project lays the foundation for continued innovation and excellence in the animation production process.
Delivery and Duration: Scheduled for delivery in early 2026, the film will be 85 minutes long. Meanwhile, the ongoing Noodle and Bun web series utilizes the same software solutions, with the Polycat team producing an episode every six weeks. This dual approach showcases the versatility and effectiveness of their chosen tools in both short-form web content and feature-length animation.
For more information, please visit the Polycat website https://www.polycat.com/
About Poly Cat
For more information, please visit the Polycat website https://www.polycat.com/
Polycat is a Cape Town based animation and visual effects studio. With Corporate and broadcast clientele such as DSTV, MTN , Nestle and more Specialising in computer animated media for television, games and film; they pride ourselves on their quick turnaround time and high quality content. Polycat runs independently due to its access to Ultraware – their in house computer hardware department. Ultraware provides Polycat with all the hardware and technical insight necessary to optimize both content and production time.

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