Big Idea Entertainment

Big Idea Productions, LLC
Company typeSubsidiary
FoundedFebruary 1989 (1989-02) (GRAFx Studios)
August 6, 1993 (1993-08-06) (Big Idea)
2022 (as in-name-only unit)
Founders
Headquarters,
U.S.
ProductsAnimated direct-to-video programs
Animated television series
Animated theatrical films
ParentClassic Media (2003–2007)
Entertainment Rights (2007–2009)
Boomerang Media (2009–2012)
DreamWorks Animation (2012–present)

Big Idea Productions, LLC (formerly known as Big Idea Productions, Inc., Big Idea, Inc. and Big Idea Entertainment, LLC; also known simply as Big Idea) was an American animation production company and is currently an in-name only unit, best known for its animated VeggieTales series of Christian-themed home videos.

Founded in February 1989 as GRAFx Studios by Phil Vischer, the company was renamed as Big Idea Productions in August 1993 and it released its first direct-to-video VeggieTales program in December. In 2002, Big Idea adapted the Biblical story of Jonah for its first theatrical feature film, Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie, which was co-produced with FHE Pictures. Its second theatrical film, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie, was co-produced with Starz Animation and released in 2008.

From 1999 to 2004, headquarters of Big Idea Entertainment was in Lombard, Illinois, a suburb outside of Chicago.[1] After Big Idea Entertainment declared bankruptcy in 2003 and the company was sold to Classic Media, headquarters was moved in 2004 to Franklin, Tennessee, a suburb outside of Nashville.[2] In 2012, DreamWorks Animation purchased Classic Media.[3] In 2013, DreamWorks began to oversee productions of Big Idea Entertainment and launched the Netflix series VeggieTales in the House. After production of VeggieTales in the House's sequel series entitled VeggieTales in the City wrapped in 2017, DreamWorks sold the Franklin headquarters to Kingdom Story Company.[4] Big Idea continues to operate as an in-name-only subsidiary of DreamWorks Animation, with Universal Pictures recently giving TBN a license to make The VeggieTales Show.[5][non-primary source needed]

Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber, from VeggieTales, served as the company's mascots.

  1. ^ "The Lombard HQ Project with Pictures - Phil Vischer - Official Blog of VeggieTales Creator". Phil Vischer. November 15, 2004. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  2. ^ "A bunch of pictures from Big Idea's move to Franklin, Tennessee. - Phil Vischer - Official Blog of VeggieTales Creator". Phil Vischer. July 19, 2004. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  3. ^ "It's Official: DreamWorks Animation Buys Classic Media for $155 Million". The Hollywood Reporter. July 23, 2012. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  4. ^ The Babylon Bee (May 1, 2020). "Cucumber For Christ: The Mike Nawrocki Interview". YouTube.
  5. ^ "Phil Vischer on Twitter: "Big Idea isn't open… Universal just gave TBN a license to make some new episodes. I helped with some writing, but those are all done now. Not sure if any more sill ever get made."". Twitter. Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.

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