{"data":{"type":"company_profile_ai","id":71375,"entity_id":"wefunder:company:71375","attributes":{"canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/pencilish","retrieval_urls":{"canonical":"https://wefunder.com/pencilish","json":"https://wefunder.com/pencilish.json","markdown":"https://wefunder.com/pencilish.md","ai_json":"https://wefunder.com/pencilish.ai.json","ai_text":"https://wefunder.com/pencilish.ai.txt","changelog_json":"https://wefunder.com/pencilish.changelog.json","schema":"https://wefunder.com/.well-known/ai-profile-schema.json"},"updated_at":"2026-06-14T05:02:50Z","generated_at":"2026-06-15T04:49:35Z","profile_visibility":{"owner_published":true,"public_search_results":true,"site_search_listed":false,"privacy_mode":"unlisted","invite_only":false},"company":{"id":71375,"entity_id":"wefunder:company:71375","slug":"pencilish","name":"Pencilish Animation Studios presents...","tagline":"The Secret Decoder Ring - A 2D Hand-Drawn Family-Friendly Film.","elevator_pitch":"Pencilish Animation Studios intends to create high quality animation, intellectual property, films and television that can be distributed and monetized through licensing, merchandise, and other revenue streams.","location":"Franklin, TN","website":"https://www.pencilish.com","total_amount_raised":2192962,"total_investors":4443,"is_funded":false,"is_active":false},"key_claims":[{"claim_id":"claim-total-raised","text":"Total raised on Wefunder: 2192962","citation":"https://wefunder.com/pencilish#claim-total-raised","provenance":{"source":"FrontCompanySummary#amount_raised","last_verified_at":"2026-06-14T05:02:50Z","as_of":"2026-06-15T04:49:35Z","confidence":"high"},"observed_at":"2026-06-14T05:02:50Z","expires_at":"2026-06-15T05:02:50Z"},{"claim_id":"claim-total-investors","text":"Total investors: 4443","citation":"https://wefunder.com/pencilish#claim-total-investors","provenance":{"source":"FrontCompanySummary#number_of_investors","last_verified_at":"2026-06-14T05:02:50Z","as_of":"2026-06-15T04:49:35Z","confidence":"high"},"observed_at":"2026-06-14T05:02:50Z","expires_at":"2026-06-15T05:02:50Z"}],"verified_facts":[{"claim_id":"claim-total-raised","text":"Total raised on Wefunder: 2192962","citation":"https://wefunder.com/pencilish#claim-total-raised","provenance":{"source":"FrontCompanySummary#amount_raised","last_verified_at":"2026-06-14T05:02:50Z","as_of":"2026-06-15T04:49:35Z","confidence":"high"},"observed_at":"2026-06-14T05:02:50Z","expires_at":"2026-06-15T05:02:50Z"},{"claim_id":"claim-total-investors","text":"Total investors: 4443","citation":"https://wefunder.com/pencilish#claim-total-investors","provenance":{"source":"FrontCompanySummary#number_of_investors","last_verified_at":"2026-06-14T05:02:50Z","as_of":"2026-06-15T04:49:35Z","confidence":"high"},"observed_at":"2026-06-14T05:02:50Z","expires_at":"2026-06-15T05:02:50Z"}],"company_claims":{"tagline":"The Secret Decoder Ring - A 2D Hand-Drawn Family-Friendly Film.","elevator_pitch":"Pencilish Animation Studios intends to create high quality animation, intellectual property, films and television that can be distributed and monetized through licensing, merchandise, and other revenue streams.","story":"When 14 year-old Alexis finds her grandmother’s childhood decoder ring and activates it's secret code, like Aladdin and his lamp, she accidentally brings forth long-forgotten '40s superhero Major Dynamo into our world! The Major is a fish-out-water with his old-fashioned ways and beliefs - some good and some... not so good. Through some comic adventures, Alexis and Major Dynamo bond. Alexis’ dad has grown distant which has put a strain on their relationship and the Major fills that gap as a father figure to Alexis. But, because the Major has awakened, the mysterious Grey Goliath (a dark version of Major Dynamo) comes out of hiding to finally destroy Major Dynamo so that he can complete his plans to control the world! Alexis soon discovers that all these seemingly unrelated events are rooted in a generational family secret that could now destroy our world! Alexis and Major Dynamo must stand together to face Grey Goliath -- and find redemption for their family!We feel this 2d and 3D animation hybrid film has all the elements of a family film franchise that can be made for a fraction of the budget of other animation and superhero films! With your investment in the development package, we feel we can obtain the production budget to start the cameras rolling!Check out this in progress animation clip from the pencil test, voiced by Patrick Warburton!We are Pencilish Animation Studios and we are thrilled to present a once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity: the creation of our 2D animated feature film, \"Secret Decoder Ring.\" This project is more than just a movie; it's a celebration of the artistry and magic that defined your favorite childhood films.Pencilish Animation Studios is a team of passionate artists and industry veterans determined to revive the timeless tradition of hand-drawn animation. Our commitment is to create not just entertainment, but an experience that transcends generations. In our past, we have created 3 short form animated series. As those series move on to distribution, we are ready to take on our dream of creating our own live action and hand drawn feature film!Imagine a film where animation legends, the masterminds behind your cherished childhood characters, unite to bring to life a heartwarming and thrilling 2D animated feature – \"Secret Decoder Ring.\" This isn't just a movie; it's a journey into the past and a leap into the future of animation.You might be wondering, \"How does my investment work?\" Or perhaps you're curious about the implications if you're a previous investor with Pencilish. Here's your answer:Your investment in the film operates on a 120% preferred return basis. This means that once the film's budget is secured, your investment will be repaid along with a 20% return, all before filming commences. In essence, your investment and the proposed 20% return are the FIRST payments out, irrespective of the film's performance in the market!For previous Pencilish investors, the fact that the film is being produced by Pencilish is advantageous. Any success achieved directly contributes to the appreciation of your existing shares. This means that as the film progresses and flourishes, so too will the value of your shares. At Pencilish Studios, we take pride in cultivating a profound connection with our valued investors.This raise is to fund the development of the pencil test and other overhead. With this, We will be able to create and package the film correctly for larger investors. Below is the budget breakdown for how we’d like to use funding once we reach our goal of $615,000:*Note: If we do not reach our funding goal, certain changes will be made to the breakdown to account for the change in budget.Pencilish has been making headlines since 2020. Check out where we have been in the news:https://www.pencilish.com/in-the-news*Travel and lodging not included. **A signed NDA will be required prior to receiving behind the scenes information.Pencilish Studios, LLC is 'testing the waters' to gauge investor interest in an offering under Regulation Crowdfunding. No money or other consideration is being solicited. If sent, it will not be accepted. No offer to buy securities will be accepted. No part of the purchase price will be received until a Form C is filed and only through Wefunder's platform. Any indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.","quick_facts":["Over $2.5 Million raised from previous crowdfunding rounds from almost 5000 investors!","Disney animation legends bring their combined 200 years of animation experience.","Investment Returned Before Film Production: It is NOT dependent on the success of the film.","The film has cast Susan Egan (voice of “Meg” in Disney’s Hercules)","The film has cast Patrick Warburton (voice of \"Kronk\" in Disney's The Emperor's New Groove)","Pencilish has an active and engaged fanbase of over 43.6k across all platforms.","Our film is a live action and 2d animation hybrid similar to popular films like \"Space Jam\"."]},"computed_metrics":{"total_amount_raised":2192962,"total_investors":4443,"team_size":7,"featured_investor_count":1,"faq_count":5,"recent_post_count":10},"quick_facts":[{"claim_id":"claim-fact-1","value":"Over $2.5 Million raised from previous crowdfunding rounds from almost 5000 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Tom, after this last year it's become clear that movie theaters are a dying breed. Large animated features are now debuting with great success on the streaming giants, and that looks to be the future. How are you approaching the direction of the company in this regard? I'm...","answer":"Hello Brian! Great question. Here’s the good news- we are not interested in the traditional distribution systems. Our focus is on the distribution system we all have in our pockets right now. That includes streaming, social networks, and YouTube. We want to be where the eyes are. I hope this helps. Thanks for your interest!"},{"question":"Hi Tom! What a cool company idea, I love the concept. I'm curious, what is your plan for the company and having so many owners? Is it a profit-sharing plan? Are you hoping to have the studio bought out? Are you hoping to grow large enough one day for folks to sell their stock ...","answer":"Hello Cassidy. Good questions. I will have the largest “say” in the direction and decisions of the company (as CEO) but I’m excited to have so many investors that have a heart for animation that myself and our board can use as a sounding block in decisions and creative thoughts. It will be a large group so we will work hard to hear all those voices and respond. I hope this helps. Yes, I want to build it so people want to buy the company one day. If we do at that time it will be heavily depend..."},{"question":"Hey Tom, what I’ve heard about you creating a traditional animation studio, so I thought that kinda like my studio, Sanchez Railway Animations, except it’s small and I don’t have any animators to hire... yet. Anyways.... 1. Does your studio requires animators to use the old sc...","answer":"We will more than likely create what I call “tradigital” animation - drawing traditionally on a digital surface. It works vest for a virtual pipeline. Yes, I write my own stories."},{"question":"Hi Tom I have a few questions. How many more years do you plan on working before you retire? Also is this going to be your full time job or is this going to be like Elon Musk where he has jobs in more than one company? I know you said this is the first crowd funded animation s...","answer":"Ha, these are hard, future-casting questions. \u0026nbsp;I can say I have no interest in retirement because I love what I do. Secondly, yes, this will be my “full time” job but I will have a couple other commitments here and there- for example, I am in the completion phase of producing and animating a feature film documentary (Pencil Test)\u0026nbsp;as well as teaching. I think the company model is one part Animation studio and one part Webtoons. We will be creating content, not looking forward work fo..."},{"question":"Hey Tom! This sounds amazing! What type of animation are you hoping to do? Hand draw? CG? Stop-motion? Or a mix? Also, if I were to become an investor, would this disqualify me in any way of one day working on the creative side for the studio?","answer":"Probably\u0026nbsp;2D TV- style animation to start but I’m open to all forms of animation as long as it suits the story.\u0026nbsp;"}],"recent_posts":[{"id":165351,"entity_id":"wefunder:feed_item:165351","title":"Pencilish Animation Studios Update!","preview":"First of all, I'm sorry for not creating an update here on WeFunder for quite some time. We have told everyone many times to please follow our mailing list and that would be where we would continue the updates. Well, two things happened since then: 1) Wefunder told us that if we didn't update here, they would post that they tried to contact us and we are not responding- which wouldn't look good at all, right? As you know, we have been doing lots of consistent updates, just not here on Wefunde...","published_at":"2023-07-04T15:41:01Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/165351"},{"id":156816,"entity_id":"wefunder:feed_item:156816","title":"Onto Phase 2! Join us!","preview":"Thanks to all of you WeFunder FOUNDING investors, Pencilish Studios has had an amazing first (over) a year! We've created the first three animated series (first episodes of all three will be done and dropped by next week!), created amazing marketing campaigns for them, invested in advertising for them, AND developed the next batch of ORIGINAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES that YOU are a part of their futures! NOW, we launch into what I'm calling PHASE 2! You're already a part of it, but we need mor...","published_at":"2022-07-16T09:12:04Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/156816"},{"id":153601,"entity_id":"wefunder:feed_item:153601","title":"*Update on PERK EMAILS- PLEASE READ*","preview":"To clarify, If you invested less than $250, you should not have received a perk email. If you invested more than $250, and still did not receive an email, please check your spam folders, and make sure you check the email you invested under.Viva La Animation Revolution","published_at":"2022-03-15T00:04:26Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/153601"},{"id":151873,"entity_id":"wefunder:feed_item:151873","title":"PERKS EMAIL went OUT!","preview":"Hello Pencilish Peeps! If you are one of our \"Founding Investors\" (which is everyone that has invested in Pencilish so far) than you should have already received the email that outlines the perk tiers and how you will get those tiers delivered. The digital elements have already been delivered to those that get those, via that email. If you had other elements, like time with me (Tom Bancroft) via a zoom talk, then it states the plan on how that will happen also. Basically, everything has been ...","published_at":"2022-03-14T21:41:30Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/151873"},{"id":151871,"entity_id":"wefunder:feed_item:151871","title":"Pencilish Studios Makes it's first Partnership deal- Introducing \"Aro Luche\" new animated series!","preview":"Hello Pencilish Studios investors and friends!\u0026nbsp;I said we had some exciting news coming- and this is one of those updates!\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;We have a new animated series we are partnering on and I'm so proud and excited to be a part of it that I'm also the Lead Investor! (Yes, my personal funds)!\u0026nbsp;Check out the Wefunder now (https://wefunder.com/arolucha) or READ ON.\u0026nbsp;It's only been just over a YEAR that we launched our Pencilish Studios investment raise and just over two months since w...","published_at":"2022-01-08T18:10:54Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/151871"},{"id":150675,"entity_id":"wefunder:feed_item:150675","title":"Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Pencilish Animation Studios","preview":"As we start to wind down for a short break for the Christmas holiday here in the US, we hope you are also taking a moment to enjoy a rest and time with family and loved ones.\u0026nbsp;If you haven't seen it already, here is our Christmas card for you to enjoy.\u0026nbsp;It \"stars\" our original character, Bjorn, the last unicorn- from our upcoming animated series that you all invested in (along with all the other projects Pencilish gets involved in in 2022 and beyond!This also might be my last Wefunder...","published_at":"2021-12-21T21:44:52Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/150675"},{"id":150673,"entity_id":"wefunder:feed_item:150673","title":"Pencilish on the ROAD! Our first convention and what we're thankful for!","preview":"Hello Pencilishers!\u0026nbsp;It's Thanksgiving day and I felt the need to tell you this-\u0026nbsp;we are THANKFUL for all of you!\u0026nbsp;Because of you, we are creating characters and stories I've been wanting to tell my entire career!\u0026nbsp;We are also making other creator's dream projects and making them a part of our dreams also!\u0026nbsp;We are giving opportunities and mentorship to amazingly talented up and coming artists/creators!\u0026nbsp;Lastly, we are creating a BUSINESS that could be very valuable in ...","published_at":"2021-11-25T21:14:30Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/150673"},{"id":150398,"entity_id":"wefunder:feed_item:150398","title":"ANIMATION production starts on our FIRST SHOW","preview":"This is just a quick update on a few things.\u0026nbsp;The first one is that we had a big moment last week: Our first ANIMATION ISSUING meeting with our two lead animators for the show \"Bjorn the Last Unicorn\"!\u0026nbsp;What that means is that we have come out of the development stage for Bjorn (meaning: all scripts are written, all voice actors have been recorded, we've storyboarded the first three episodes, we've designed all of the characters, and even done some animation tests with them- see our P...","published_at":"2021-11-13T19:46:46Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/150398"},{"id":150175,"entity_id":"wefunder:feed_item:150175","title":"An example we are on the RIGHT TRACK...","preview":"Huge news today- two former Disney executives have started an independent entertainment company and have just purchased MOONBUG , the company behind YOUTUBE animation sensation \"Cocomelon\" (which is also the longest running Top 10 show on Netflix, simultaneously!) for, wait for it.....$3 BILLION! \u0026nbsp; And-it all started on Youtube! \u0026nbsp;Read full article here:\u0026nbsp;https://finance.yahoo.com/news/studio-behind-cocomelon-acquired-3-212759020.html?guccounter=1\u0026guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ2...","published_at":"2021-11-05T17:41:01Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/150175"},{"id":150014,"entity_id":"wefunder:feed_item:150014","preview":"undefined","published_at":"2021-11-01T04:22:24Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/feed/150014"}],"provenance":{"source":"wefunder_public_company_profile","as_of":"2026-06-15T04:49:35Z","claims":{"total_amount_raised":{"source":"FrontCompanySummary#amount_raised","last_verified_at":"2026-06-14T05:02:50Z","as_of":"2026-06-15T04:49:35Z","confidence":"high"},"total_investors":{"source":"FrontCompanySummary#number_of_investors","last_verified_at":"2026-06-14T05:02:50Z","as_of":"2026-06-15T04:49:35Z","confidence":"high"},"active_raise_states":{"source":"Fundraise.visible(nil, nil)","last_verified_at":"2026-06-13T22:21:49Z","as_of":"2026-06-15T04:49:35Z","confidence":"high"},"latest_fundraise_state":{"source":"Fundraise.visible(nil, nil).order(funding_started_at)","last_verified_at":"2026-06-13T22:21:49Z","as_of":"2026-06-15T04:49:35Z","confidence":"medium"}}}}}}