Big Idea Entertainment facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Big Idea Productions, LLC

Type	Subsidiary
Founded	February 1989; 36 years ago (1989-02) (GRAFx Studios) August 6, 1993; 31 years ago (1993-08-06) (Big Idea) 2022 (as in-name-only unit)
Founders	Phil Vischer Mike Nawrocki
Headquarters	Universal City, California , U.S.
Products	Animated direct-to-video programs Animated television series Animated theatrical films
Parent	Classic Media (2003–2007) Entertainment Rights (2007–2009) Boomerang Media (2009–2012) DreamWorks Animation (2012–present)

Big Idea Productions, LLC, often called Big Idea, is an American company that makes animated shows. It is most famous for its VeggieTales series, which are videos with Christian messages.

The company started in February 1989 as GRAFx Studios. Phil Vischer founded it. In August 1993, it changed its name to Big Idea Productions. That December, they released their first VeggieTales video. In 2002, Big Idea made its first movie for cinemas, Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie. This movie was based on the Bible story of Jonah. Their second movie, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie, came out in 2008.

From 1999 to 2004, Big Idea's main office was in Lombard, Illinois. This is a town near Chicago. In 2003, Big Idea faced financial problems and was sold to Classic Media. After this, the office moved to Franklin, Tennessee, near Nashville, in 2004. In 2012, DreamWorks Animation bought Classic Media. DreamWorks then started to manage Big Idea's projects. They launched the Netflix show VeggieTales in the House in 2013.

After the follow-up show, VeggieTales in the City, finished in 2017, DreamWorks sold the Franklin office building. Big Idea still works as a part of DreamWorks Animation. Recently, Universal Pictures allowed TBN to create The VeggieTales Show. Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber from VeggieTales are the company's mascots.

History of Big Idea Productions

Big Idea started in February 1989 as GRAFx Studios. Phil Vischer created it to make graphics for TV commercials. In 1991, Vischer made a short video called Mr. Cuke's Screen Test. This video inspired him and Mike Nawrocki to create VeggieTales. Nawrocki thought of the name. Vischer felt "GRAFx" was not a good name for a company making children's videos. So, he renamed it Big Idea Productions, Inc. on August 6, 1993. The company released its first video, Where's God When I'm S-Scared?, in December of that year.

Big Idea quickly needed more office space. In 1997, they moved to the Chicago suburbs. They bought the DuPage Theater in Lombard, Illinois. However, there were many delays and problems with fixing up the building. The company rented space at the Yorktown Center mall while waiting.

Big Idea worked with FHE Pictures to make its first movie for cinemas. This movie, Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie, was released on October 4, 2002.

On September 2, 2003, Big Idea faced serious financial and management problems. They also had a lawsuit from HIT Entertainment. Because of this, the company had to declare bankruptcy. By the end of the year, Classic Media bought Big Idea for $19.3 million. After being bought, the company moved its office to Nashville in 2004.

Big Idea worked with Starz Animation to make its second movie. This movie was The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie. It was released on January 11, 2008, by Universal Pictures.

In April 2009, Entertainment Rights had its own financial troubles. It sold its companies, including Big Idea and Classic Media, to Boomerang Media. By 2011, Big Idea, Inc. officially became Big Idea Entertainment, LLC. In July 2012, DreamWorks Animation bought Classic Media, which owned Big Idea. Classic Media then became DreamWorks Classics.

On April 28, 2016, NBCUniversal announced it would buy DreamWorks Animation. This sale was completed on August 22, 2016.

On July 3, 2018, Phil Vischer said that Big Idea's offices in Franklin had closed. While some marketing staff still worked for Big Idea, DreamWorks sold the Franklin, Tennessee studio in late 2017.

In 2018, NBCUniversal allowed The Trinity Broadcasting Network to use the studio's characters. They started making a new series called The VeggieTales Show in 2019. This was a team-up between NBCUniversal and Trilogy Animation Group. Vischer confirmed that he and Nawrocki returned to write for the new show. The company went back to its original name, Big Idea Productions, LLC. On June 29, 2021, Phil Vischer announced that he and Mike Nawrocki were no longer working on VeggieTales. This was due to disagreements over pay and creative ideas. This marked the end of Big Idea Entertainment after The VeggieTales Show finished production.

VeggieTales History

VeggieTales is a series of animated films for children. It features vegetables that act like people. The stories teach moral lessons based on Christianity. They also include funny references to pop culture and current events. Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki created VeggieTales. They also provide many of the voices for the characters.

VeggieTales has also been made into books, games, and other items. These include toys and clothes. The series has also been shown on TV. It aired on Qubo from 2006 to 2009. Netflix also had two VeggieTales shows made by DreamWorks Animation Television:

• VeggieTales in the House (from November 26, 2014, to September 23, 2016)
• VeggieTales in the City (from February 24 to September 15, 2017)

Filmography

Direct-to-video/Television Series

VeggieTales and Spin-offs

Miscellaneous Series

Television Specials

Feature Films