The Birth

October 21, 2024

The Birth of KinoSpring: A Journey from Local Stories to Global Animation

In the early 2000s, a small spark of creativity in Le Havre led to the foundation of what would become KinoSpring—a performance studio with big dreams and a passion for storytelling. This is the story of how a modest local studio evolved into a vibrant animation hub, poised to share its unique stories with the world through 2D animation and motion capture.

A Humble Beginning: La Berlue Productions (2008-2020)

Before KinoSpring, there was La Berlue Productions, an association founded by Justin Durel and his close circle of friends and family. The studio’s mission? To bring original films to life. The association was born out of the desire to streamline administrative processes and secure shooting locations for creative projects. Officially declared in 2008, La Berlue Productions aimed to create an environment where creative minds could collaborate freely.

In its early days, La Berlue filmed live performances for Les Infréquentables, a local comedy duo, and ventured into projects like the satirical web series LEs SCHMITTs. These projects showcased the studio’s dedication to humor and the community, with the aim of telling stories that resonate on both local and personal levels. But like any creative endeavor, challenges arose, and they weren’t always easy to overcome.

An image of a behind-the-scenes look at the Les Infréquentables during a local event, highlighting the community-driven aspect of the studio's early days.

The Challenges of Early Productions

The early years of La Berlue Productions were filled with experimentation, excitement, and, inevitably, obstacles. From 2008 to 2015, the studio produced a variety of content, including parody videos, local commentary, and sketch-style films. Yet, the limitations of filming locations and the challenges of gathering a motivated team often slowed down the studio’s progress.

Technical hurdles also emerged as the studio experimented with green screens and early animation techniques. By 2016, La Berlue ventured into 2D animation, but without proper technological know-how, the learning curve was steep. Projects often stalled as new methods and tools were mastered through countless hours of trial and error, and the internet became an invaluable source of knowledge.

A professional video production studio with a large green screen and filming equipment.

The Turning Point: LEs SCHMITTs and the Desire for More

One of La Berlue’s most significant undertakings was LEs SCHMITTs, a web series produced between 2014 and 2015. While it succeeded in being completed, the project revealed flaws in the local approach. Issues with team motivation and vision led Justin Durel to reconsider the need for a large cast and crew. It became clear that relying on others—especially when it came to consistent quality and remuneration—could be a stumbling block.

However, LEs SCHMITTs also showed potential, proving there was an audience for the studio’s brand of storytelling. It laid the groundwork for what would eventually become KinoSpring.

The Evolution to KinoSpring: A New Name, A New Focus

In 2020, La Berlue Productions was officially dissolved, making way for the next chapter. The decision to rebrand as KinoSpring was not just about a name change—it was a complete transformation in vision. The studio’s ambition had outgrown its local roots in Le Havre, aiming now to reach international audiences and elevate storytelling quality.

The name KinoSpring was carefully chosen. “Kino” is widely recognized across languages like German, Bulgarian, and Russian, symbolizing cinema’s global appeal, while “Spring” evokes both mobility and new beginnings. In 2D animation, “spring” refers to dynamic motion, perfectly aligning with the studio’s mission: to create mobile, engaging, and animated storytelling experiences that transcend borders.

KinoSpring’s global reach: While rooted in Le Havre, KinoSpring is already expanding its focus to the Bulgarian-speaking markets. By offering services like Move On Demand, clients from around the world can participate in real-time motion capture sessions online, making the studio’s services accessible regardless of location. The next step will be to provide multilingual content, with the goal of attracting English-speaking audiences from various parts of Europe, Asia, and beyond.

Embracing Motion Capture and 2D Animation

The transformation into KinoSpring brought a major shift in the studio’s technical capabilities. Seeing an opportunity with Rokoko’s 10-year anniversary promotions, KinoSpring invested in motion capture technology, enabling it to animate characters more fluidly and precisely than ever before.

The studio’s approach is practical: while motion capture is widely used globally, KinoSpring aims to make it accessible and affordable, especially for smaller creators and businesses that may not have access to high-end technology. This shift has also allowed the studio to cut down on the need for a large cast, opening up a new revenue stream through selling motion capture data internationally. Competitive pricing and the ability to handle original requests set KinoSpring apart.

Ups and Downs: Lessons Learned from LEs SCHMITTs

Looking back, LEs SCHMITTs was both a success and a lesson in adaptation. It proved that Justin Durel could drive projects with minimal resources but also exposed the limitations of relying on a large local team. The series may not have ended as polished as hoped, but it pushed the studio toward the efficiency and scalability offered by motion capture.

With a renewed focus on 2D animation and motion capture, KinoSpring is now well-positioned to tell unique stories efficiently, cutting down on time and team requirements while increasing production quality.

KinoSpring Today: Telling Stories for All Audiences

Today, KinoSpring is more focused than ever on storytelling. The studio’s journey from local productions to global aspirations has shaped its mission: to tell stories that resonate with audiences worldwide, whether through 2D animation, cartoons, or live-action projects.

From the studio’s performance space in Le Havre to its international services like Move On Demand, KinoSpring will become a hub for creative talent, offering everything from video production to motion capture services. The focus remains on creating original stories that appeal to a wide range of audiences—children, adults, local, and international alike.

Camera on a tripod with a motion capture suit hanging against a green screen

The Future of KinoSpring: A Global Vision for Original Stories

Looking ahead, KinoSpring is set to become a force in motion capture and 2D animation. With its unique storytelling voice and technical capabilities, the studio aims to continue innovating and telling stories that capture the imagination.

While not a pioneer in motion capture technology, KinoSpring offers a competitive advantage with accessible pricing and the flexibility to cater to custom, original requests. This allows the studio to serve diverse clients and maintain a global presence.

As the only motion capture studio within a 100-mile radius of Le Havre, KinoSpring is positioned to serve a wide range of clientele locally and internationally, from independent creators to businesses looking for affordable animation solutions.