‘Addicted to It’: How an International Team of 200+ Artists Turned Smartphone Obsession into a Star-Studded Animated Musical

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Featuring original music written by Tony Award-winner Jeff Marx (co-creator of Avenue Q), Addicted to It brings together an eclectic ensemble of voice talent, ranging from legendary music icons to top-tier digital creators:

  • Dionne Warwick: The iconic vocalist lends her legendary voice, reflecting on the power of musical storytelling: “Music has a way of getting through to people. If this song makes you laugh and reminds you to give the people around you a little more attention, that’s a good thing. Your phone can wait.”

  • Dixie D’Amelio: The singer and social media personality embraces the message of stepping away from the screen: “I want to begin the conversation about putting my phone down and also encourage you guys to put your phone down… The disconnect is good!”

  • Morgan Jay: The comedian and musician shares the irony of the project’s central theme: “I make a living trying to connect with people, so a musical about our inability to disconnect felt a little too close to home.”

  • Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor: The actor, comedian, and digital star highlights the humorous dilemma of advising fans to look away from their devices: “I make videos for people to watch on their phones, so telling them to put their phones down felt risky. But Addicted To It made me laugh, and made me realize I should probably go for a walk.”

The film also features comedy legend Mel Brooks as “Phoney Bunny,” a pesky smartphone with no intention of letting its owner log off.

Visionary Directors at the Intersection of Animation and Tech

Co-directors Nigel Tierney and Federico Heller bring a rich background in viral animation, visual effects, and emerging technology to the project:

  • Nigel Tierney: Known for directing the massive viral animated music video “Earth” by Lil Dicky and Leonardo DiCaprio—which has racked up over 450 million views—Tierney brings a track record of crafting high-impact, socially conscious animated hits.

  • Federico Heller: Renowned for his acclaimed viral sci-fi short Uncanny Valley and groundbreaking work in virtual reality (VR) and immersive media, Heller brings a deep technical understanding of storytelling in digital spaces.

Together, the duo bridges the gap between classic character animation and cutting-edge digital techniques to bring the story to life.

A Global Effort Across 3 Countries

Bringing a project of this scale to life independently required an extraordinary level of international artistic collaboration. Over 200 artists, animators, and musicians across Argentina, Ireland, and the United States contributed to the production.

By blending Broadway-caliber musical composition, high-end visual design, and a universally relatable theme, Addicted to It demonstrates how indie animation can tackle modern cultural habits with humor, heart, and creative flair.

About John Schwarz

John is the Chief Editor and Founder of Bubbleblabber.com. While at first a part-time project, Bubbleblabber quickly grew into a full-fledged operation and officially became a company in 2014. When John isn't running a business full-time, he likes to go to concerts with your mother.