From Pup to Powerhouse: "Jaye" Nominated for Best Animated Short Film at Sunscreen Festival
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that "Jaye," our latest 2D animated short film, has been nominated for Best Animated Short Film at the prestigious Sunscreen Film Festival! This festival is known for its commitment to showcasing independent films from around the world and providing a platform for emerging talent and established filmmakers to showcase their work. It's a huge honor to be recognized by such a respected festival and we can't wait to see where this journey takes us.
Now, let's talk about "Jaye." This heartwarming story follows a playful and wise pup named Jaye who helps citizens in St. Petersburg navigate their daily struggles. The film's executive producer, creator, and director, Esteban Valdez, brings 24 years of animation experience to the project and has won numerous awards over his career. Co-executive producer and co-creator, Stephen Friedman, has a long track record of producing television shows for various networks. And let's not forget about producer Meike Groh, who has been working with Echo Bridge for some time.
Speaking of Echo Bridge, this highly respected 2D animation production company has been producing visually stunning and emotionally resonant content since its inception in 2010. They work with some of the most talented people in the industry and "Jaye" is a prime example of their expertise.
So, what's next for "Jaye?" Well, we encourage you to watch the film and see for yourself why it has been nominated for Best Animated Short Film at the Sunscreen Film Festival. And if you're feeling adventurous, why not attend the festival and see "Jaye" on the big screen alongside other incredible films from around the world? It's a great opportunity to network with other professionals in the industry and celebrate the art of storytelling.
In conclusion, we are honored and excited to have "Jaye" nominated for Best Animated Short Film at the Sunscreen Film Festival. We hope you'll join us on this journey and experience the magic of "Jaye" for yourself. See you at the festival!
Bitcoin for Businesses: Insights and Strategies from Our Sponsored Workshop
We're thrilled to have sponsored a recent Bitcoin for Businesses workshop where business owners learned about the benefits of adopting Bitcoin for their operations. With Bitcoin's growing popularity, it's important for businesses to stay informed and up-to-date on this digital currency.
We're proud to have played a part in helping businesses navigate this exciting new space.
The Beef Initiative
We’re thrilled to announce that Echo Bridge is partnering with The Beef Initiative to bring food intelligence to families across the country. We believe that educating families about their food choices is crucial for building healthier communities, and we can't wait to get started. Stay tuned for more updates!
Join the Fast Lane with Captain TV's Nitro: The Streamer-Hosted Racing Game
Looking for a high-speed, action-packed racing game that's hosted by streamers? Look no further than Nitro, the latest production from Captain TV.
Our team had a blast working on this project, which gave us a lot of creative freedom. We'd also like to thank our music partners, Moonlit Musica, for their contributions to the game's soundtrack.
If you're a fan of animation, games, or just high-octane thrills, be sure to check out the Nitro trailer here. It's sure to get your heart racing!
Join Us for the Finale of Our Animated Music Video Series with 'Chewing Gum'
We're thrilled to announce the release of our animated music video "Chewing Gum," the epic finale of our series!
Follow Mia as she uncovers the truth behind her company's ad campaign, facing moral dilemmas along the way. With stunning animation and a thought-provoking storyline, this is a must-watch for music video fans. Join us in celebrating the culmination of our journey with "Chewing Gum." Don't miss out! Watch now and be captivated by the grand finale.
The Ultimate Audiovisual Experience: 'Chewing Gum' Animated Music Video Series is Back
Looking for an exciting new animated music video to brighten up your day? Check out "Chewing Gum", the latest episode in the series!
This video features stunning animation and an unforgettable musical soundtrack that's sure to get stuck in your head. Join Mia on a heart-racing journey full of twists and turns, as she navigates a hijacked route to work. This video is a must-watch for fans of animation and music videos alike! Don't miss out on this amazing new release – catch "Chewing Gum" now on YouTube and experience the magic for yourself.
From Screen to Heart: JAYE, the Animated Short Film on Mental Health, Will Warm Your Soul at Sunscreen Film Festival
We are thrilled to announce that our animated short film JAYE has been selected to screen at the Sunscreen Film Festival in St Petersburg! JAYE is a heartwarming story about a yellow lab puppy who uses fun and playful ways to help his friends understand their thoughts and feelings. The film's calming tone promotes emotional intelligence and mental health awareness, making it an ideal companion for anyone looking to improve their well-being.
As a team, we poured our hearts and souls into creating JAYE and are grateful for the opportunity to share it with a wider audience. The selection at the Sunscreen Film Festival is a testament to our commitment to bringing meaningful and uplifting stories to the screen, and we couldn't be more proud.
We hope that JAYE inspires viewers to think more deeply about their emotions and mental health, and we can't wait to see what audiences at the Sunscreen Film Festival think of it. Stay tuned for more updates on our film's journey and remember to take care of your mental health along the way!
New Animated Series 'Chewing Gum' Now Available on YouTube
"Chewing Gum" is out! Our new animated musical follows Mia, a recent college graduate who is feeling aimless. She lands a job at a water distribution center and unexpectedly becomes part of a groundbreaking discovery that could change everything. The production boasts catchy tunes and a mix of humor and drama suitable for all ages.
We poured our heart and soul into making "Chewing Gum," and it is now available on YouTube for your viewing pleasure. Don't forget to like, comment, and share it with your friends and family. Stay tuned for more exciting projects from us!
Echo Bridge's Adult Animated Musical, The Good Boy, Concludes on YouTube
The Good Boy is an adult animated musical series that has taken the animation world by storm. As Echo Bridge's first original production with CeREELs, we've had a lot of fun making this unique and quirky show. Now, with the final episode available on YouTube, we're excited to share our labor of love with animation enthusiasts around the world.
The Good Boy features rich and in-depth characters that bring the story to life, and the catchy songs will have you humming for days. As an adult animated musical, it's a one-of-a-kind experience that's both entertaining and thought-provoking.
At Echo Bridge, we're proud of the success of The Good Boy and grateful to our viewers for making it such a hit. If you're a fan of animation and looking for something fresh and exciting, this is a show you won't want to miss. So, grab your popcorn, kick back, and enjoy the final episode of The Good Boy on YouTube today.
Discover the Secrets Behind the System in "The Good Boy" Animated Series
We're thrilled to announce the release of our latest animated series, "The Good Boy." This exciting new production follows the adventures of Fed, a character driven by his curiosity and impulsive nature. Fed's urge to discover what lies behind the crack in the system leads him on a heart-pumping journey filled with potentially illegal activities.
Throughout the series, Fed discovers that some of the rules he's lived by are arbitrary, and his exploration leads him to a greater understanding of the world around him. The animation in "The Good Boy" is top-notch, and the plot is filled with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Whether you're a fan of adventure, suspense, or just a good story, "The Good Boy" has something for everyone.
This latest release is the result of our partnership with South Korean media company CeREELs, and we're proud to bring this exciting animated series to audiences worldwide. So grab your popcorn, sit back, and watch "The Good Boy" on YouTube today!
Our latest work for 100 Thieves
Vinny Hacker is the latest eSport player to join the 100 Thieves team and to make that announcement, we were commissioned by 100 Thieves to help produce animation for the campaign promo!
A Quick Bitcoin Guide
Since we adopted Bitcoin into our business in 2021, more and more people have been asking us about it.
As one of the first animation studios to adopt Bitcoin, we thought it beneficial to put together a quick guide on Bitcoin, from its origin story, the Lightning Network, and of course how to use Bitcoin which you can find right here.
Are we, at Echo Bridge, a little obsessed with Bitcoin?
Yes.
Yes we are.
It’s still early days, but in the long run we believe it’s one of the best financial tools in the market today which can help the global animation industry for the better.
How to Price a Project In Bitcoin
Illustration by Esteban Valdez
You’re interested in using Bitcoin to pay for a project, but you’r not sure where to start.
It’s a lot easier than you think and we’ll show you how.
The two ways to use Bitcoin
From our experience, we’ve found (for the time being) two ways to interact with Bitcoin. You can use it either as a payment platform or as the medium of exchange.
As a payment platform
You treat Bitcoin similar to PayPal, Venmo, Cash App or any other payment platform to send funds.
In fact, it’s much simpler, faster, private, more secure and accessible than the payment platforms mentioned above.
All you and the party you’re doing business with need are Bitcoin wallets.
From there, once you’ve received your invoice, you simply send your coins to the specified wallet address (make sure you verify), set your transaction fee, send it and your done.
The receiving party will get the funds — depending on your transaction fee within minutes or seconds if you’re using the Lightning Network — and then it will be up to the receiving party as to whether they want to exchange it for fiat currency or hold it as Bitcoin.
As a medium of exchange
Now this is where it gets interesting…
Instead of doing the above where you have the set price in fiat then use Bitcoin as the payment platform, you set the price of goods and services in Bitcoin and you settle the payment in Bitcoin.
How to set the price in Bitcoin
Finding the price point is rather simple; you take the fiat price of the good or service you’re looking to obtain and divide it by the price of Bitcoin.
For example:
If a 45 second commercial costs 50,000 USD, you divide the fiat price by the price of Bitcoin (which at the time of writing is 36,302.41 USD), the price in Bitcoin comes to 1.37731903 BTC, or round it up to1.4 BTC to include transaction fees and make the accounting a lot simpler.
Now you have a rough estimate of what it will cost in terms of Bitcoin.
Step 1 - Negotiate the Exchange Rate
You and the party you are doing business with should come to a fair and reasonable exchange rate.
An example would be both parties agree that a 36,000 USD price point (302.41 USD below market) for Bitcoin is a fair exchange rate, it would be reflected in agreement as such.
Step 2 - Lock in the rate
In the event the project costs 50,000 USD, with a 36,000 USD per Bitcoin exchange rate, the agreed upon price for the goods or services would be 1.4 BTC.
Now, in order for this to work the price of goods and services on the side of the merchant/service provider would also need to be priced in Bitcoin rather than fiat, and some of the contractors, vendors, freelancers and other merchants involved would accept the Bitcoin rate as well.
Pricing the goods and services in Bitcoin locks in the rate and removes volatility.
Step 3 - Pay in Bitcoin
Paying with Bitcoin is as simple as sending a text.
You’ll receive an invoice which contains a QR code and a Bitcoin wallet address.
Scan, pay and done.
The benefits of using Bitcoin
Let’s look at the pros and cons of using Bitcoin as the medium of exchange and see if it makes sense to do so.
Remember, we’ve set the price in Bitcoin and not fiat.
The pros
If you got in early and you’ve seen massive price appreciation and want to use your Bitcoin; now you can.
When you price something in Bitcoin you’ve removed the volatility as what you’re transacting in is the currency itself.
You can transact with Bitcoin anywhere, anytime, with anyone in the world fast, securely and privately and knowing that there is cash finality in minutes not days, weeks or months.
If you’re transacting with the Lightning Network, you can send and settle payments in seconds.
If you didn’t get in early and want to get into the Bitcoin ecosystem, 50% or 80% price drops are a great way to get Bitcoin on sale.
The cons
Funds are immutable, meaning once sent there’s no reversing the transaction.
You accidentally send it to the wrong address, it could be gone forever.
You are fully responsible for your coins; there is no customer service or 1-800 to call if something goes wrong.
Finding places to use Bitcoin directly are few, but not far between as the numbers of merchants and retailers are growing.
Creating a Win-Win transaction
For the producer, accepting Bitcoin as payment is a way of getting a renewed sense of value to the goods and services they provide.
For the customer, you’re looking for value and it causes you to seek out those businesses who you believe will do their best to provide you with quality goods and services that you’re paying for.
Why use Bitcoin?
What gives something value isn’t the fiat price, rather, what we believe the value that something should be.
Yes, hodlin’ is a great way to save, no one is arguing against that, but in addition to being saved, as bitcoin gets used more and more the value of a bitcoin grows more and more over time.
There will ever only be 21 million bitcoin (or 2,100,000,000,000,000 satoshis) and those who transact with Bitcoin realize it and have the tend to be more mindful of where they put there money; businesses know this and need to compete to earn it.
Plus, as an early adopter of this emerging asset; you automatically get cool-kids points for doing it.
In conclusion
It’s a radical idea, probably ahead of its time… or is it?
We live in the digital age, connected globally through the internet; it only makes sense for us to conduct business in a manner that reflects the times we live in and to bring the concept of fair and true value to what we do.
If anything, hopefully this article got you to see the potential.
But before you go…
Get 12% off when you pay in Bitcoin!
To celebrate our 12th anniversary and for a limited time we’re offering a 12% discount on projects that are paid for in Bitcoin.
Contact us to learn more.
12 Years of Animation
January 2022 marks the 12th anniversary of Echo Bridge!
The best way to sum it all up… It’s humbling. From a scrappy start up working late nights, to a full blown operation working late nights, to a virtual company working late nights, there’s one thing that’s consistent: we’re going.
The late nights not so much. With each production we find ways to streamline our pipeline to make it as efficient and effective as possible so that we don’t have to spend all day cranking, rather, we get to focus on what matters the most in producing quality work so we can enjoy what we do a little bit longer.
Echo Bridge is continuing to evolve and grow. We’re learning new things a long the way. We’re working with brand new partners in brand new places. We’re jumping into new ventures and technologies that no one else explored just yet. We have a lot of optimism for the future and we’re looking to continue to grow, not just in number and size, but as a company and industry leader.
Our goal is to be the best in the business. Creatively, financially, and in how we produce animation.
Here’s to 12 years and many more.
Cheers!
Paid In Bitcoin
Happy to announce we paid out in Bitcoin!
Over the summer, we made an announcement that we would be accepting Bitcoin as a payment method for our production services. The news was met with a lot of curiosity from our clients, partners and vendors. We made the decision to publicly announce Bitcoin acceptance after a couple of projects had opted to pay with it earlier on. We were very excited.
Then, in November, we made the announcement that we’d start issuing payment in Bitcoin to our employees, contractors and vendors who wanted to accept it as their payment.
Today, we’re happy to share the news of our first payments made to those individuals using Bitcoin.
Our experience
The process is very straightforward. Exchanged dollars for bitcoin, then store it in a wallet. In our case, it’s using an institutional custodian for our holdings via multi-signatures, then the payments were sent out to the payee’s bitcoin wallet directly. Some opted for on-chain (meaning the original 10+ minutes of bitcoin processing) and others opted for Lightning payments (Lightning Network is a second layer solution to make payments faster with incredibly small fees).
The overall process was faster and more secure than a bank-to-bank transfer or a PayPal payment.
To manage the volatility
We made it a plan to make regular weekly exchanges (known as dollar cost averaging) in order to take advantages of dips in market price. Some weeks we bought more bitcoin, other weeks less, and while the dollar price may fluctuate, because you’re making regular exchanges, you’re managing the risk more effectively than exchanging everything all at once.
Future plans
We’re going to continue with this program throughout December and into the first quarter of 2022. We will also continue to maintain and grow our Bitcoin holdings on the balance sheet indefinitely.
Our short film, ATOM, will have its production budget priced in Bitcoin.
Starting in January, we’ll have prices for our services available in Bitcoin as well.
These are very exciting times for us as we continue to venture into the crypto space. We’re also happy to continue to be one of the first independent animation studios to continue to explore and innovate in the crypto space with the goal of helping to transform the way our industry conducts business all across the board.
Our Next Short Film
Hey friends, We're really excited to share the news that we're making a brand new short film!
The story is a visual poem about coming face to face with your mortality and the existence of life. Naturally, it would need to be a sci-fi piece to delve into philosophical topics such as the meaning of life.
The goal is to make a very memorable film. Something that'll stick with you for a while. Something that you can go back to and watch and get something new. A film that will reward you for viewing it multiple times. Like going back to visit an old friend that you can have some really interesting conversations with.
Art is communication after all.
We'll be documenting the journey (between the projects) as we progress.
Stay tuned!