One couple has decided to bring their Hollywood background in animation home to Portage, Michigan.
Steve and Jessica Hoogendyk have worked in California in animation artistry for years. Steve worked with special effects on big named franchises such as "Harry Potter" and "The Chronicles of Narnia", and films such as "Bolt".
They left California to pursue animation dreams of their own. The couple works together from their hometown, running their own video game company called Geeta Games.
"It's much more prevalent and feasible today," said Steve. "People want to work where they want to live."
"Lily Looking Through" is their recently released demo for the first game they are in the process of creating. The couple is currently preparing to add others to their staff. With all hands on deck, they hope to release the full edition of the game by 2013.
The game follows a young girl named Lily who finds a pair of goggles that help her to see things in through a different perspective.
Jessica, who creates the character animation, said to MLive.com, "We're trying to capture a child-like essence in all of the animations. Luckily we have a 3 and 4 year old, so I see a lot of references that I can use in the game."
Steve, creative director for the game, said he and his wife stick with hard-drawn animation.
He shared that although the creative process is similar to that done in a studio setting, the large budget and even greater restrictions are much less when working from home.
The Hoogendyks say that they enjoy running their own business because it gives them the chance to take an "artisan-like" approach to game creation.
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