Glukoza Production

Glukoza Production was a Russian computer animation and visual effects studio established in Moscow in 2007 by music producer Maxim Fadeev, singer Natalya Chistyakova-Ionova and entrepreneur Alexander Chistyakov. Its work spanned animated feature films, music videos, advertising and visual effects for live-action productions. The company developed from a small creative team whose earlier collaborations included animated videos for Gluk’oZa.

The studio provided full-cycle CGI production, covering concept development, storyboarding, character design, modeling, rigging, shading, grooming, lighting and rendering. Its visual effects capabilities included supervision, camera tracking and compositing, alongside environment artwork and matte painting. These disciplines supported both fully animated productions and projects combining animation with live-action footage.

Feature animation and commercial work

Its principal feature production was Savva: Heart of the Warrior, also released internationally as A Warrior’s Tail. Written and directed by Fadeev, the stereoscopic 3D film reached cinemas in 2015 after a production lasting nearly eight years. The project involved Art Pictures Studio and Singapore’s Sparky Animation Studios, with an international voice cast that included Milla Jovovich and Whoopi Goldberg.

Music videos were another substantial part of the studio’s output. Its portfolio included more than 15 videos using 3D graphics and visual effects, with work for Gluk’oZa, Total and Serebro. It also produced CG advertising for Fanta and Yandex. Its music-related work ranged from fully animated character performances to visual effects supervision and compositing.

Company history

The business was incorporated in October 2006, before its operational founding in 2007. Following the release of Savva, it became involved in disputes concerning distribution financing and marketing expenditure. The operating legal entity was renamed Sistema-A in 2017 and entered bankruptcy proceedings that November. It was formally liquidated on January 30, 2023.

Later music videos released under the Glukoza Animation Studios banner in 2021 and 2022 were described as freelance productions involving Alexander Chistyakov and other creative collaborators.