If only Cartoon Network parent company Warner Bros. Discovery could have been a fly on the wall at City Academy Friday afternoon. There would be no need to wait for ratings to declare the highly anticipated Lion Forge produced animated series “Iyanu: Child of Wonder” a success.
The school’s gymnasium became an exclusive first-look screening room as the students were given a sneak preview – and behind the scenes access – for the show one day ahead of its global premiere.
Horne learned early on in her talk that these were not ordinary 2-5th graders. “How many of you know what concept art is,” Horne asked. Most of the students, who sat crisscross on the floor of Steward Hall, raised their hands.
Lion Forge’s Karama Horne led the presentation about the show, which debuted on Cartoon Network this past Saturday and was available to be streamed the next day on Max. She took a deep dive into the behind-the-scenes process. Two years, five continents, hundreds of people working thousands of hours was what it took to bring Roye Okupe’s graphic novel series of the same name from the page to the screen. The series is about a Yoruba girl who activates her divine powers to save the community in her native Nigeria.
Horne learned early on in her talk that these were not ordinary 2-5th graders.
“How many of you know what concept art is,” Horne asked. Most of the students, who sat crisscross on the floor of Steward Hall, raised their hands.
“Who can tell me what a storyboard is?”
She pointed to one of the several hands that shot back up.
A young girl, who appeared to be in third or fourth grade, was ready for the question.
“A storyboard is when you make the pictures of what you want the show to be,” she answered. “Each scene has its own set of pictures that make up the storyboard.”
It wouldn’t be the only time one of the City Academy students blew their special guests away. City Academy is a predominantly Black private indepedent school located in North St. Louis, which currently provides 100% scholarship support to its students. It’s success has encouraged some families to stay in the area or move back to the community.
“Within City Academy students there is always that thirst for learning – and this was just another great example,” said City Academy President and cofounder Don Danforth. “I think it is always good to expose our students to the possibilities out there.”
Horne was joined by Lion Forge Entertainment CEO and Founder David Steward II, Emmy Award-winning “Iyanu” writer Kerri Grant and actors Samuel Kugbiyi (who voices Toye) and Okey Jude (who voices Biyi).
“I was amazed by a lot of the things they said,” Steward said. “But then I wasn’t surprised because I remembered where I was.”
Educators and school leadership – including Danforth and Head of School Jarrett Young – beamed with pride as the students’ engagement compelled the Lion Forge team to become even more excited about the series they were there to showcase.
“It is so wonderful,” Young said. “Not only for them to see how complex it is to take on a project like this – but to have someone like Dave Steward and the team he is working with take it through completion and have success.”
One of the students wanted to know if any of the Lion Forge team or “Iyanu” creative team were from St. Louis. Steward said he was born and raised in the region. They cheered for him all over again.
“What made you decide to make a show that was set in West Africa,” a young boy asked Steward.
“I’ll answer your question with a question,” he responded. “How many animated shows have you seen set in West Africa? Has anyone.”
Many of them shouted out, “Yes.”
The students who yelled “yes,” answered in unison when they were asked the name of the show.
“Iwájú,” they said – referring to the Disney+ series. In a beautiful twist of irony, the visual effects supervisor for that series – Marlon West – was born and raised in University City.
Though West is not connected to “Iyanu,” the moment spoke to the talent and potential from the region that is impacting the globe.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to see faces that look like theirs doing something as amazing as this,” Danforth said. “It’s a wonderful way for students to feel further empowered but also to encourage them to do a bit more, be more creative and explore a bit more.”
Steward was eager to point out that “Iyanu” was a team effort from start to finish.
Erica Dupuis and Impact X Capital facilitated the original connection with Okupe – who also serves as showrunner for “Iyanu” – and Lion Forge Entertainment. Additional producers for the show include Ryan Haidarian of Forefront Media Group and Doug Schwalbe of Superprod.
“I think it just shows that great ideas and wonderful stories can come from everywhere,” Danforth said. “Whether it’s St. Louis or Kenya. And when you have great people working together, anything is possible.”
One student was ready to act on the possibility of working with Lion Forge.
Fifth grader Rohan Talavedra was not shy about walking up to Steward to pitch his concept.
“I like your direct approach,” Steward told the boy. “Mr. Young has all my information. I’ll be back to the school – and then you can show me your stuff.”
Talavedra originally created a card game that he later expanded into a graphic novel – which is a perfect fit for Lion Forge.
“I’m so glad I got a chance to talk to him,” Talavedra said. “Because I’ve been holding on to this for the past two years.”
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
