Moonward Studios

Moonward Studios is a Los Angeles–based animation and visual effects studio producing commercial animation, branded digital media, interactive experiences, and work for television and feature films. Its capabilities span 3D character animation, 2D animation, motion graphics, visual development, and production management, with support extending from initial story development through editorial and audio finishing.

Launched in 2015 as the client-facing production services brand of Eric Miller Animation Studios, Moonward handles external work-for-hire animation, commercials, visual effects, and consulting. The business developed from the animation company Eric M. Miller established in July 2014. The two brands have distinct creative purposes: Moonward serves outside clients, while Eric Miller Animation Studios focuses on developing original intellectual property.

Production capabilities

Projects can begin with character and environment design, world building, art direction, storyboards, and animatics. Animation services include character modeling, 3D animation, traditional and vector 2D animation, and motion graphics. The studio also provides animation producing, production budgeting, crew assembly, oversight, and story and technical consultation.

Its visual effects work encompasses previsualization and postvisualization, camera and object tracking, set extensions, dynamics and effects simulation, digital makeup, rig removal, color grading, and compositing. Interactive services include VR and AR visuals, 360-degree video stitching, game and app production, asset creation, interface design, and Unity programming. Finishing capabilities include editing, music composition, sound design, and voice casting and recording.

A project-based studio model

Moonward describes its approach as a virtual studio, combining centralized producing and executive management in Los Angeles with a distributed network of freelance artists and specialist vendor studios. Crews are assembled around each project's artistic, technical, and budget requirements.

The studio works across advertising, entertainment, consumer products, games, and technology exhibitions. Its documented projects range from a national television commercial for the World Avocado Association and fragrance animation for The Harmonist to MagicMeeMees promotional episodes, Honda navigation visuals, and feature-film visual effects.