Alumni Update | Melissa Malzkuhn’s (’15) Motion Light Lab to produce first animated show with deaf lead character
Melissa Malzkuhn’s (’15) Motion Light Lab has partnered with Pigmental Studios to produce 52 eleven minute episodes of ‘Here Comes Malvo!’, an animated show starring a deaf lead character.
‘Here Comes Malvo!’ follows an eight-year-old character, Malvo, who experiences adventures that highlight aspects of a deaf person’s life – from the emotional struggle of being different to the deep richness of communication that she and some other characters enjoy.
The idea for the show started way back in 2012 when Melissa and her team created a storybook app titled ‘The Baobab’ which is now distributed in 11 different sign languages. When Melissa met animator Marina Martins in 2015 (the year Melissa graduated from MFA Visual Narrative) they hit it off and the result is this promising new series.
You can learn more about the show on the ‘Here Comes Malvo!’ site. Follow Melissa’s Motion Light Lab on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Melissa also let us know Motion Light Lab is now a part of IKEA & Ashoka’s Dela Globalizer Program which focuses on social impact and systemic change.
Congratulations, Melissa!
