Steal The Naughty List is the four-year labour of love of an engineering dad and homeschooled teens from Mississippi. Could this be the unexpected hit of the holiday season?
We’re big fans of stop-motion at Creative Boom; it’s the perfect antidote to the sameyness of CG animation and perfect for Christmas time. And so when there’s a film that really floats our boat, we like to share it with the community. In the main, these tend to come from large, well-known studios such as Blue Zoo or Zombie Studio. But here’s a surprising exception.
Steal The Naughty List is a feature-length movie releasing globally on 15 November across major streaming platforms, with the voice talent of Hercules actor Kevin Sorbo. Sounds like a big-budget Hollywood spectacular… but it was actually made by a homeschooling family in Mississippi.
The project was spearheaded by aerospace engineer Nathan VonMinden, who converted the upper floor of the family home into a professional animation studio, where he worked alongside his wife Meleice and their teenage children.
A family affair
The production became an ambitious family enterprise, with each member taking on significant creative responsibilities. The couple’s 19-year-old son Jackson stepped into the role of animation director, managing a team of animators while ensuring emotional authenticity in every frame. His siblings Avery (17) and Charis (15) took charge of set design and associate producer duties, respectively.
Nathan’s engineering background was instrumental in solving the complex technical challenges inherent in stop-motion animation. The studio, located upstairs in their Mississippi home, was transformed into a fully functional creative space, equipped with everything from lighting and cameras to paint stations and storage areas. He developed sophisticated mechanical systems for puppet manipulation while the family worked together to construct sets within their home studio space.
From constructing the characters to designing dozens of meticulously crafted sets, the family’s attention to detail shines through in every frame.
Rocky Road
It wasn’t all plain sailing, though. “We faced every challenge imaginable, from the technical complexities to the long hours it took to capture every tiny movement in stop-motion,” says Meleice, who balanced her production duties with homeschooling six children.
“But as a family, we persevered. This movie is a reflection of our shared love for storytelling, creativity, and the message of Christmas.”
When production hit technical hurdles that threatened to derail the project, the family received crucial guidance from the Rasch family, respected figures in the stop-motion animation industry. “There came a point where we were making too many mistakes, and progress was stalling,” Nathan reflects. “We reached out to the Rasch family, and they helped us find our way. Their expertise was invaluable in getting us back on track.”
Emotional themes
While the family’s technical accomplishment is noteworthy, it’s the storytelling that really helped this production take off. The narrative follows a group of troubled characters living in the Arctic who embark on a mission to steal Santa’s notorious list, weaving themes of mental health and redemption through its narrative.
“We wanted to take naughty little Arctic characters with personality disorders and push them to the limits to see if they could change,” explains Nathan.
The narrative explores mental health challenges through characters like Polly, a perpetually cold polar bear struggling with depression. The story arc emphasises the possibility of positive change and the importance of second chances.
“The emotional toll of such an intense project was significant,” Meleice adds. “But watching our children grow in their crafts and seeing them take ownership of their roles in the production made every challenging moment worthwhile.”
Voice cast and release
The film attracted an impressive voice cast, including Brian Hull, known for his work on Hotel Transylvania, who brings the snowman hero Rory to life. Comedian Bob Smiley and country musician Mary Sarah take on key character roles, while Kevin Sorbo performs multiple parts, including a Wolverine and a Puffin Coach.
The film, produced under the family’s Upstairs Studio Animation banner, will be available on Amazon, Google Play, Apple TV and Fandango this November. The release will be supported by special screening events and filmmaker Q&A sessions, offering audiences insight into the unique production process.
“We wanted to create a film that not only captivates audiences with its artistry but also shares a powerful message about mental health, forgiveness, and change,” Nathan concludes. “In the spirit of Christmas, we hope this story inspires families to reflect on the deeper meaning of the holiday.”
The story of its making should also inspire creatives everywhere. The simple lesson is that you don’t need a huge conglomerate to back your creative idea; you can just do it yourself!