From Art to AI: How a 44-Year-Old Art Production Studio Transformed Into a Tech Company

Andrew Kessler, CEO and President - WB+TDP (Warshaw Blumenthal & Turbo Dog Productions)

March 18, 2025

Two years before the film, television, advertising, and art industries fully embraced image-based artificial intelligence, one visionary company saw the future—and took action.

In 2023, with a 42-year legacy and a roster of over 200 artists—including illustrators, 3D artists, animators, editors, retouchers, and audio engineers—WB+TDP (Warshaw Blumenthal + Turbo Dog Productions) began integrating traditional artistry with emerging AI technologies, pioneering a new era of animation.

“The vision began with a few talks I attended at the Cannes Lions Festival, but it truly took shape when my father became ill. That period of reflection forced me to reevaluate both life and career.” – Founder, Andrew Kessler

Emerging from this turning point, Kessler turned to longtime associate and Chief Creative Officer Ryan Scully, emphasizing the urgency of adapting to the technological revolution. With a small but determined team, led by Scully and operating on a limited budget, they dove headfirst into AI research—enduring countless pitfalls, trial-and-error phases, and outright failures. Yet, through relentless experimentation and weekly regrouping sessions, they uncovered key insights that would redefine their approach to production.

Bridging the Gap Between AI and Animation

Early on, it became clear that while AI-powered text generation (like ChatGPT) was advancing rapidly, image-based AI was still in its infancy—particularly when it came to animation.

“I saw the end coming. Instead of resisting change, I chose to embrace it and carve a future for our artists and company. We’ve survived the rise of the internet, stock imagery, economic downturns, and industry shifts. Recognizing change before it happens has always been my strength, and this was no different.”

AI could generate striking still images, but transforming them into fully realized animated sequences required immense back-end work. The missing link? A hybrid approach—blending cutting-edge AI tools with traditional artistic expertise in retouching, animation, editing, illustration, and 2D/3D design.

By staying ahead of AI beta programs and leveraging their diverse talent pool, WB+TDP developed a proprietary AI workflow powered by their in-houseComfyUI system, positioning themselves as an industry leader in AI-driven animation.

The Future of Production: A Continuous Flow

“I believe the future of storytelling will no longer be divided into pre-production, live-action, animation, and post-production. Instead, it will be a seamless, continuous process—more efficient, controlled, and cost-effective.”

By embracing AI-driven workflows, WB+TDP is reshaping the production landscape:

? Eliminating logistical challenges (weather, locations, permits)

? Reducing costly overages and reshoots

? Maximizing budgets and ROI for brands and storytellers

? Keeping artistic creativity at the forefront

As the industry evolves, WB+TDP remains at the forefront of AI-powered animation—preserving and extending the careers of talented artists while revolutionizing how content is produced.

Learn More

Visit www.wbtdp.com to explore their groundbreaking work.