Written by David Webster.
Cheeky Little has evolved into a successful animation producer, but reaching this point has required considerable time and effort. From the beginning, our goal was to create exceptional shows that not only looked appealing but also entertained our audience. While humour and cheekiness inspire all our content, we also strive to tell stories that resonate deeply and carry a sense of heart.
Patrick and I began our journey in 2013 with just the two of us in a rented office, figuring out how to finance our first show, Bottersnikes & Gumbles. We had come together with a shared passion for animation and this project seemed to us like it would make a real impact on the whole world. This series was based on a beloved book that both Patrick and I had read independently as kids, despite growing up on opposite sides of the globe. The stories unfolded in a world of discarded junk, featuring wildly imaginative creatures: the mischievous Bottersnikes and the innocent, naïve Gumbles.
The Bottersnike King and his rivals.
The show launched the company, reaching audiences worldwide and being adapted into 20 languages. Unfortunately, we only produced the initial 52 episodes, as is often the case in our industry: if a show isn’t renewed, it’s time to move on to the next project.
Our shows draw inspiration from a variety of sources. Some, like Bottersnikes & Gumbles, are adaptations of books, while others originate from the talented creators we collaborate with, who pitch their ideas to us. Both Kangaroo Beach and Vegesaurs emerged from established industry creators who partnered with us to bring their visions to life.
The idea for Vegesaurs struck creator Gary Eck at the supermarket. “I was in the fruit and veggie aisle, watching this kid in his mum’s trolley having a serious showdown with the produce. He’d grabbed a piece of broccoli and was making it ‘attack’ a zucchini, growling like it was some sort of epic battle. I couldn’t help but wonder—what’s this kid imagining? Dinosaurs, maybe? The image of Pea-Rex popped into my head, and I immediately messaged my co-creator, Nick O’Sullivan. He loved it. Nick sends me a 3D drawing of Pea-Rex that took the whole idea to another level. It was hilarious, and we knew we had something special on our hands.”
Vegesaurs creator Gary Eck
At Cheeky, we aim to create entertaining shows, but sometimes they take on a life of their own! Take Kangaroo Beach, for example. What started as an animated peek into life-saving on Australian beaches turned into a series that splashes water safety into every episode. So, while we’re here to entertain, we’re now serious about the show’s message saving a life or two.
Kangaroo Beach
It’s hard to believe we started with just two of us staring at a blank page in a tiny office, and now look at us—we’ve multiplied like creative rabbits! We’ve got 35 people running around the studio (plus a whole bunch more beaming in from their home offices) cranking out incredible work. The best part? Everyone’s totally on board with our mission to make awesome, fun content. We’re proud of the culture we’ve built here—it’s like a big, Cheeky family. So here’s to many more years, more shows, more crazy characters, and maybe even some merch!