A year of creativity, innovation and looking ahead to 2025
As 2024 draws to a close, Long Sleeve Productions is reflecting on a year filled with creativity, innovation, meaningful projects and work across the country. From character creation and animation to cutting-edge interactive videos, we’ve had an incredible year, thanks to our wonderful clients and collaborators. Here's our year in review.
The Year of Boris
The journey began with Boris the Spruce Tree, the wise and lovable white spruce character we created as a legacy for the Mackenzie Region of northwest Alberta in its celebration as Forest Capital of Canada for 2024 (FCC 2024). In our interactive adventure, Boris and his local Mackenzie Region friends captured the hearts of audiences with their engaging explorations of Alberta’s boreal forest, teaching kids (and even adults!) about its unique plant and wildlife and human history.
From VR adventures - like a peak inside a real bear den - to discovering wildfire risks, Boris’ debut marked the start of a new era for interactive educational content, one Long Sleeve intends to lean into in the future. Boris’ impact has been nothing short of transformative for us as creators, and we’re thrilled to announce that his adventures will continue in 2025. If you and the family are looking for some fun and entertainment over the holidays, cue up the Boris in the Boreal Forest adventure or download the Boris Christmas colouring sheet.
Empowering Healthy Communities
This year, we partnered with our friends at Communities ChooseWell again, this time to bring the knowledge and resources of the Healthy Communities Framework to life through an interactive, virtual community market.
The project was filmed in a world-class green screen studio in Calgary, where scenes from Last of Us and other Hollywood productions have taken place. The video will launch in early 2025, giving parks and recreation volunteers and professionals an engaging way to explore and implement key principles of the Framework, and in a format that will connect with a broader audience.
Supporting Sustainable Agriculture with Cravo
Our partnership with Cravo also deepened this year as we worked together to promote its innovative retractable roof production systems through videos and the launch of a brand new website. The new, dynamic online platform highlights Cravo’s cutting-edge technology and extensive grower resources, developed through over 40 years of research and innovation (and in three languages!). As extreme weather continues to disrupt the quality, availability, and cost of fresh produce, it’s been incredibly rewarding to work with a company so dedicated to advancing agricultural sustainability.
Capturing the Camper’s Code
Filming in Beautiful British Columbia's Golden Ears Provincial Park was another highlight of the year and the behind the scene photos were responsible for most of our Instagram action in 2024. As part of a research project led by the University of Alberta, Long Sleeve provided the live action versions of the Campers Code, which comprises nine rules for recreating safely and responsibly in Canada's parks and campgrounds. The video was targeted to people who recently booked public and private campground spots in BC to help remind them to respect nature and minimize their environmental footprint.
Advocacy for Rental Fairness for Businesses
It's not often we get to film in our own neighbourhood, but this year we did. Joining forces with the Better Way Alliance, we tackled the critical issue of unfair commercial rent practices in Canada. Believe it or not, triple digit rent increases are not uncommon for restaurants and businesses ready to renew their leases and there are no laws or rent caps to protect them. In some cases, the situations seem downright predatory. You can support the petition here...
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we gear up for 2025, we’re filled with gratitude for the opportunities we’ve had and the partnerships we’ve built. Whether it’s continuing Boris’ adventures, supporting sustainable agriculture, or championing fairness and community well-being, we’re excited to see where the next year takes us.
To our clients and collaborators, past and present, thank you for being part of our journey. Your trust and vision inspire us to keep pushing creative boundaries. Here’s to a new year of innovation, storytelling, and impact. From Dražen and Kathleen at Long Sleeve Productions, we wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous year ahead!