Shape Island
{{short description|2023 animated television series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| genre = {{plainlist|
| image = ShapeIslandTitle.png
| caption = Title card
| camera =
| director = Drew Hodges
| runtime = 22–24 minutes (roughly 11 minutes per segment)
| creator = {{plainlist|
}}
| based_on = {{based on|Triangle, Square, and Circle|Mac Barnett |illustrated by Jon Klassen}}
| developer =
| executive_producer = {{plainlist|
- Mac Barnett
- Kelli Bixler
- Drew Hodges
- Jon Klassen{{Cite web|last=Lang|first=Jamie|date=2023-01-20|title=Scene Breakdown: The Creative Process Behind Apple's Stop-Motion Series 'Shape Island'|url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/series-craft/shape-island-drew-hodges-stop-motion-225144.html|access-date=2023-02-16|website=Cartoon Brew|language=en-US}}}}
| producer = {{plainlist|
- Matthew Cuny
- Jodi Downs
}}
| narrated = Yvette Nicole Brown{{Cite web|date=2023-02-02|author1 = Sam Rubin|author2 = Christine Samra|title=Yvette Nicole Brown explains the lessons learned from 'Shape Island'|url=https://ktla.com/entertainment/yvette-nicole-brown-explains-the-lessons-learned-from-shape-island/|access-date=2023-02-16|website=KTLA|language=en-US}}
| cinematography = Eric Adkins
| editor = Guy Handelman
| composer = Andrew Carroll
| country = {{plainlist|
- United States
- United Kingdom
}}
| company = {{plainlist|
- Bix Pix Entertainment
- Apple Studios
}}
| language = English
| network = Apple TV+
| first_aired = {{Start date|2023|01|20}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2023|12|01}}
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 10
| voices = {{plainlist|
}}
}}
Shape Island is an American animated children's television series based on the children's books Triangle, Circle, and Square written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen.{{Cite web|last=Zahed|first=Ramin|date=2023-01-20|title=A Visit to the Charming Stop-Motion World of 'Shape Island'|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2023/01/a-visit-to-the-charming-stop-motion-world-of-shape-island/|access-date=2023-02-16|website=Animation Magazine|language=en-US}} It features Harvey Guillén as the voice of Square, Gideon Adlon as the voice of Circle, and Scott Adsit as the voice of Triangle. The show premiered on Apple TV+ on January 20, 2023, where it is available to stream. A Halloween special was released on October 20, 2023 and a Winter special was released on December 1, 2023.{{cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|title=Apple TV+ Orders DreamWorks Animation Series 'Curses'; Sets 'Interrupting Chicken' Season 2 Premiere & 'Shape Island' Halloween Special (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/apple-tv-plus-dreamworks-animation-series-curses-interrupting-chicken-season-2-premiere-shape-island-halloween-special-1235723633/|website=Variety|date=September 14, 2023|access-date=September 14, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2023/10/apple-tv-decks-the-halls-with-all-new-kids-and-family-live-action-animated-hybrid-special-the-velveteen-rabbit-launching-globally-november-22/|title= Apple TV+ decks the halls with all-new kids and family live-action animated hybrid special, "The Velveteen Rabbit," launching globally November 22|website=Apple TV+|access-date=2023-10-03}}
Shape Island is a production of Bix Pix Entertainment and Apple Studios. Each episode has two animated segments per half hour episode.
Premise
Set on a fictional island, the series follows the story of three anthropomorphic shapes: Square, Circle, and Triangle. Each shape has a unique personality that often tests each other's patience, but their friendship is maintained throughout the series.
Characters
- Square (voiced by Harvey Guillén) is a cube. He is the most fastidious of the shapes, but always rises to the occasion when called upon for action. He pushes blocks around for a living and likes order and routine.
- Circle (voiced by Gideon Adlon) is a sphere. She is the oldest, most powerful, and wisest shape on the island. Unlike the other two shapes, Circle has magic powers. For example, she can fly, grow very large, and has telekinesis.
- Triangle (voiced by Scott Adsit) is a pyramid. He is the messiest, silliest, and most disorganized of the shapes. These personality traits often put him in conflict with Square.
The show is narrated by Yvette Nicole Brown.
Production
The show is directed by Drew Hodges and is executive produced by Mac Barnett, Jon Klassen, Kelli Bixler, and Hodges. Barnett and Klassen always envisioned their children's book trilogy as a children's television series. The characters in the series, like in the books, are complex and driven by their personalities instead of plot or themes, while stop-motion animation was chosen to give the show a three-dimensional feel that is simple, not out of reach, and recognizable to children. Emmy and Annie award-winning animation studio Bix Pix Entertainment joined the series, syncing with the authors' vision and executing their ideas with the help of head writer Ryan Pequin.{{Cite web|title=Bix Pix Brings Great 'Form' to Apple TV+'s 'Shape Island' Kids' Series|author=Debbie Diamond Sarto|url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/bix-pix-brings-great-form-apple-tvs-shape-island-kids-series|date=23 January 2023|access-date=2023-02-16|website=Animation World Network|language=en}} The writers faced challenges in adapting the books to screen, but they were able to overcome these difficulties by working closely with the production team at Bix Pix Entertainment. It took two and a half years to produce the first season of the show plus an additional four to five years of developing and pitching the show. Due to the laborious process of stop motion animation, the production schedule was about 20 months.{{Cite podcast|title=Mac Barnett and His Shape Island|host=Jeremy Kirkland|url=https://blamopod.com/blamo-podcast/2023/1/30/mac-barnett|access-date=2023-02-16|website=Blamo! Podcast|language=en-US|date=30 January 2023}}
Barnett described the voice actors as "gifted comedians" and the experience of working with them was enjoyable to him.{{Cite web|last=Aquino |first=Gilcy|title=TV Alert: 'Shape Island'|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/91333-tv-alert-shape-island.html|date=19 January 2023|access-date=2023-02-16|website=PublishersWeekly.com|language=en}} Harvey Guillen explained how he developed the voice of Square: "We knew that we wanted Square to be very empathetic, very endearing and sweet, and not causing too much trouble, always playing by the rules, but also to show that we could relate to him. We could be on his side. So, even though he goes through challenges, we relate to him as well."{{Cite web|title=Harvey Guillen Talks Positive Inspiration of Apple TV+ Series 'Shape Island,' Finding 'Empathic' Voice for Square Character|author=Andrew, Stephen|url=https://popculture.com/streaming/amp/news/harvey-guillen-apple-tv-plus-shape-island-square-positive-inspiration-empathic-voice-exclusive/|date=2 February 2023|access-date=2023-02-16|website=popculture.com}} Due to their busy schedules, the actors often recorded their parts separately from each other.{{Cite web|last=Ruby|first=Jamie|title=Harvey Guillén on Voicing Square in Shape Island, Now on Apple TV+|url=https://scifivision.com/interviews/6761-exclusive-harvey-guillen-on-voicing-square-in-shape-island-now-on-apple-tv|date=7 February 2023|access-date=2023-02-16|website=SciFi Vision|language=en-gb}}
Episodes
{{Episode table |total_width= |background=#006161 |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
| NumParts = 2
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| Title_1 = Square's Very Kind Gesture
| Title_2 = The Eclipse
| DirectedBy = Drew Hodges
| WrittenBy_1 = Toby Jones
| WrittenBy_2 = Niki Yang
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|1|20}}
| ShortSummary = Square makes a mistake of sharing rare bananas.
Square and Triangle attempt to keep a secret from Circle.
| LineColor = #006161
}}
{{Episode list
| NumParts = 2
| EpisodeNumber = 2
| Title_1 = Square's Big Prank
| Title_2 = Circle's Plan Falls Apart
| DirectedBy = Drew Hodges
| WrittenBy_1 = Ryan Pequin
| WrittenBy_2 = Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|1|20}}
| ShortSummary = Eager to outwit Triangle, Square plans a sneaky surprise.
Circle searches for answers when a critter kidnaps her prized plant.
| LineColor = #006161
}}
{{Episode list
| NumParts = 2
| EpisodeNumber = 3
| Title_1 = Triangle Gets Carried Away
| Title_2 = Square's Different Day
| DirectedBy = Drew Hodges
| WrittenBy = Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|1|20}}
| ShortSummary = A simple plan leads to an enormous project for Triangle.
Square works on a sculpture of Circle.
| LineColor = #006161
}}
{{Episode list
| NumParts = 2
| EpisodeNumber = 4
| Title_1 = Triangle Day
| Title_2 = The Storm
| DirectedBy = Drew Hodges
| WrittenBy_1 = Mamoudou N'Diaye
| WrittenBy_2 = Maddie Queripel
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|1|20}}
| ShortSummary = Square and Circle learn how to celebrate a unique holiday.
An approaching storm excites Triangle and worries his friends Square and Circle.
| LineColor = #006161
}}
{{Episode list
| NumParts = 2
| EpisodeNumber = 5
| Title_1 = Message in a Bottle
| Title_2 = Square's Special Place
| DirectedBy = Drew Hodges
| WrittenBy_1 = Sam Spina
| WrittenBy_2 = Toby Jones
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|1|20}}
| ShortSummary = Square and Triangle find mysterious bottles on the beach.
While playing hide-and-seek, Square discovers a peaceful spot.
| LineColor = #006161
}}
{{Episode list
| NumParts = 2
| EpisodeNumber = 6
| Title_1 = Triangle Goes Solo
| Title_2 = Circle Makes a Mistake
| DirectedBy = Drew Hodges
| WrittenBy_1 = Louise Rozett
| WrittenBy_2 = Ryan Pequin
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|1|20}}
| ShortSummary = The fearless Triangle sets out on his own.
Circle leads a journey to ancient ruins and unexpectedly runs into trouble.
| LineColor = #006161
}}
{{Episode list
| NumParts = 2
| EpisodeNumber = 7
| Title_1 = Square's Sleepover
| Title_2 = Growing Pains
| DirectedBy = Drew Hodges
| WrittenBy_1 = Sam Spina
| WrittenBy_2 = Alex Horab
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|1|20}}
| ShortSummary = A change of plans test Square's patience.
Circle helps Square start a garden, but she struggles with his instant success.
| LineColor = #006161
}}
{{Episode list
| NumParts = 2
| EpisodeNumber = 8
| Title_1 = Triangle and Square's Big Game
| Title_2 = The Shooting Star
| DirectedBy = Drew Hodges
| WrittenBy_1 = Mamoudou N'Diaye
| WrittenBy_2 = Amanda Gotera
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|1|20}}
| ShortSummary = When Circle brushes off their game, Triangle and Square feel insecure.
A mysterious meteor crash inspires a trek across the island.
| LineColor = #006161
}}
{{Episode list
| NumParts = 1
| EpisodeNumber = 9
| Title_1 = Creepy Cave Crawl
| DirectedBy = Drew Hodges
| WrittenBy_1 = Ryan Pequin
| WrittenBy_2 = Unknown
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|10|20}}
| ShortSummary = After Triangle pranks them, Circle and Square celebrate Halloween on their own with all treats and no tricks.
| LineColor = #006161
}}
{{Episode list
| NumParts = 1
| EpisodeNumber = 10
| Title_1 = The Winter Blues
| DirectedBy = Drew Hodges
| WrittenBy_1 = Amanda Gotera
| WrittenBy_2 =
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|12|01}}
| ShortSummary = The chilly season leaves Square feeling sad, so Circle and Triangle try to cheer him up by creating a new holiday: Yeti Night.
| LineColor = #006161
}}
}}
Release
The show premiered on Apple TV+ internationally in 2023.
Reception
Common Sense Media wrote, "Aesthetically, the show has gorgeous visuals, stop-motion animation, and music. Grown-ups may also appreciate the slower pace and lower-key dialogue compared to many preschool series."{{Cite web|title=Shape Island TV Review|author=Moulton, Ashley|url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/shape-island|access-date=2023-02-16|website=www.commonsensemedia.org|language=en}} Cult of Mac praised the show, specifically the writing, animation, and the voice cast: "Shape Island is marvelously animated, hysterically performed, carefully written and beautifully directed. It’s a stop-motion home run for Apple TV+."{{Cite web|title=Shape Island squares the circle: It's stop-motion perfection for kids and parents|author=Tafoya, Scout|url=https://www.cultofmac.com/802708/shape-island-review-apple-tv/|date=20 January 2023|access-date=2023-02-16|website=www.cultofmac.com}} The show was also recommended by the New York Times: "The show’s sense of warmth extends beyond its attitude to its enchanting design; its sun-dappled beaches and glowing forest groves could bring Instagram to its knees, and Square could give an Architectural Digest tour of his Scandi-Bohemian minimalist kitchen."{{Cite news|last=Lyons|first=Margaret|date=2023-01-19|title=How Much Watching Time Do You Have This Weekend?|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/19/arts/television/shape-island-my-wiggly-friend.html|access-date=2023-02-16|issn=0362-4331}} The Times also recommended the show's holiday special "The Winter Blues."{{Cite news|last=Lyons|first=Margaret|date=2023-11-30|title=How Much Watching Time Do You Have This Weekend?|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/30/arts/television/shape-island-verified-stand-up-restoration-road-with-clint-harp.html|access-date=2023-12-05}}
Awards
{{Anchor|Awards|Accolades}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://tv.apple.com/us/show/shape-island/umc.cmc.40xdlw2jijoj95c3a6y2m3738 Official website]
- {{IMDb title|25515858|Shape Island}}
{{Apple TV+}}
Category:2020s American animated television series
Category:2020s American children's comedy television series
Category:2023 American television series debuts
Category:2023 American television series endings
Category:American children's animated comedy television series
Category:American children's animated education television series
Category:American stop-motion animated television series
Category:American television shows based on children's books
Category:American English-language television shows