AnimationWorld Magazine — December 3, 2018
How Baobab Studios Created a Storybook World for the Immersive ‘Crow: The Legend’
Created in collaboration with multihyphenate talent John Legend, and featuring the voices of Diego Luna, Tye Sheridan, Constance Wu and Oprah Winfrey, Crow: The Legend pushes real-time graphics to new heights. The Annie Award-nominated project, produced by VR specialists Baobab Studios, the creators of the award-winning Asteroids! and Invasion!, is available as of November 15 on YouTube and in the Oculus Store.
Written and directed by Baobab co-founder Eric Darnell of Antz and Madagascar fame, and produced by Maureen Fan (The Dam Keeper), Crow: The Legend is the story of a group of animals tested by the forces of nature when the spirit of the seasons introduces the first-ever winter to their idyllic habitat. The virtual reality experience and accompanying theatrical short film features an original song by Legend, who, in addition to serving as executive producer, voices — and sings in — the title role.
With his colorful plumage and melodic voice, Crow is the most revered animal in all the forest. But when he is tasked with making an appeal to bring back warmer weather to a divine being dubbed “The One Who Creates Everything by Thinking” (voiced by Winfrey), he is forced to choose between himself and his fellow animals. Realizing he is their only hope, Crow ventures on an arduous trek that irrevocably damages his voice and stunning colors. And while Crow is initially embarrassed by his physical transformation, he ultimately learns that his act of self-sacrifice is far more beautiful and gratifying than his appearance.