About Us | Crooked City Studios

About CROOKED CITY STUDIOS

Crooked City Studios is a boutique IP house based in Vancouver, BC, founded in the Spring of 2021. Born from a collaboration between Rare Americans and Solis Animation, Crooked City Studios combines a passion for storytelling with top-tier animation expertise. Rare Americans, known for their character-driven animated videos, have garnered over 700 million streams and sold out tours across North America and Europe. Their stories delve into life's toughest corners, resonating with audiences worldwide.

Solis Animation has been instrumental in bringing these stories to life, animating over 30 videos, including the acclaimed 2022 short film "Searching For Strawberries." Together, the partnership has expanded into creating rich, character-driven IPs that fans have been clamoring for.

James Priestner, the creative force behind Rare Americans, spearheaded the development of some of the band's most beloved characters in response to overwhelming fan demand for films and series. This creative spark led to the birth of Brittle Bones Nicky, Skids, and Crooked City. With Brittle Bones Nicky and Crooked City available for development and Skids ready for licensing, Crooked City Studios is just getting started.

James Priestner

James Priestner is the dynamic frontman and creative force behind the Vancouver-based band Rare Americans. Since the band's inception in 2018, Rare Americans has made an indelible mark on the global music scene, amassing over 700 million streams, 1 million YouTube subscribers, and headlining sold-out international tours across North America, Europe, and beyond. The group's innovative approach to storytelling through animated music videos and distinct genre-blending sound earned them a 2023 JUNO Award nomination for Breakthrough Group of the Year, solidifying their reputation as one of Canada's most exciting musical acts.

James's musical journey began in an unexpected place—the Western Hockey League, where he played from 2008 to 2012. What started as a way to unwind between games evolved into a profound passion, eventually steering him away from the rink and toward the world of music. His writing is characterized by a raw, unfiltered exploration of mental health, resilience, and personal challenges, resonating with fans through themes of perseverance and self-discovery.

Beyond the band, James's creativity extends to the realm of storytelling and film production. As a co-writer for Crooked City Studios, he has been instrumental in developing projects like (S)kids, Crooked City, and the popular character-driven narrative Brittle Bones Nicky—a fan favourite that has become a staple in Rare Americans' discography.

Outside of work, James enjoys an active lifestyle filled with sports, travel, cooking, and spending time with his two dogs, his partner Michele and young child.

Get in touch with us!

james@crookedcitystudios.com

We pride ourselves on being fast, straightforward partners. If you're interested in learning more about the properties featured on our site or those in our portfolio, please don't hesitate to reach out. Beyond the IPs listed on our website, we have several other exciting properties and characters in our lineup. We look forward to collaborating with you to bring impactful stories to life.