PHILADELPHIA, PA — unPOP Animation, the creative powerhouse founded by Philadelphia-based couple Peter Heacock and Marie Hart, has unveiled their latest viral sensation, ‘A Philly Special Christmas Special’. This eight-minute stop-motion animated masterpiece stars Philadelphia Eagles’ Jason Kelce, Jordan Mailata, and Lane Johnson, alongside special guests Travis Kelce and Patty Labelle.
The idea for this animated holiday classic was birthed in July when Connor Barwin, Jason Kelce, and Charlie Hall from the band War on Drugs approached unPOP. Having collaborated on a viral video for the Eagles’ voice Merrill Reese two years ago, unPOP was a natural choice for this ambitious project. The result is a quintessentially Philadelphian Christmas classic that resonates with the city’s sporting passion.
“It was a dream come true to merge our love for animation, Christmas classics, and the Eagles,” shared Heacock. “This project was big! Pete and I love being from Philadelphia. I can’t imagine something more fun than making a Christmas card for this city,” added Hart.
This labor of love required 5,000 hours of painstaking work, involving 20 handcrafted puppets, 5,000 individual photographs, and an array of custom-made sets and costumes. The video is rich with iconic Philadelphia references and cameos from local celebrities, including Nick Foles and Patti LaBelle. Travis Kelce, Jason’s brother, plays a significant role and even sings a duet called “Fairytale of Philadelphia.”
The animated special is a testament to the unique spirit of Philadelphia, as Heacock explains, “This type of project can only happen here. Three huge linemen get behind a mic and sound incredible?! They’ve already surpassed last year’s success donating over 1.5 million to charity. It’s for Philly, by Philly.”
unPOP Animation’s expertise in creating engaging digital content for platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok played a crucial role in the project’s successful marketing strategy. The studio’s understanding of these platforms ensures maximum reach and impact.
Heacock, an NYU alumnus, and award-winning documentary filmmaker, along with Hart, a craft specialist from the University of the Arts, have built unPOP into a hybrid animation studio and advertising agency that works with giants like Lego, VW, Sesame Street, and Samsung. “This project is our love letter to Philadelphia and the Eagles, a celebration of our journey as creators and social media influencers,” reflects Hart.
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