Editor’s Note: This story was originally written when CRM Studios was in only its 2^nd year as the official video production company for the American Heart Association’s National Kid’s Health Program, The Kids Heart Challenge. We are excited that we will continue to help create their video projects again this year, as in years past.

For more than 40 years the Kids Heart Challenge, by the American Heart Association, has partnered with schools to teach kids the benefits of heart-healthy choices. In the past several years, Dallas video production company CRM Studios has been honored with the task of developing and producing 3D animation and live action video for these high energy, health-promoting videos.

CRM Studios 3D Animation Features Heavily

Back in 2017, CRM Studios produced the first 3D animation for the in-school video, where elementary students “rode” a virtual 3D animated roller coaster while being introduced to the AHA’s heart-healthy characters and the healthy activities they promote. 

The idea was to create something exciting enough for a young audience to grab their attention and not let go. Plenty of motion and 3D jump scares, twists and turns helped ensure attention-grabbing success.

Our Company Loves Working with These Animated Heroes

Over the years, CRM Studios’ involvement expanded. In addition to the 3D animation for the main video,

our  staff was able to see and work with the characters from early in the development stage. The result was  a more ambitious project featuring the new characters as superheroes, each with a special ability that corresponds to a heart healthy habit.

Representatives from the American Heart Association create assemblies in schools all over America to introduce new students to the program and re-inspire those students who were previously involved. The main Kids Heart Challenge video introduces the students to the Heroes of Heartsville, a plucky team of brave young characters on a mission to defeat heart disease. Supporting videos show the kids how they can raise money to benefit children with heart conditions, and explain the best ways kids could protect their own hearts. Prizes and thank you gifts based on the new kids heart heroes work as incentives to reward participation.

Meet Finn!

One of this year’s continuing heroes is Finn— seen here in 2018 as his favorite lime green anthropomorphic tiger shark— a real-life beneficiary of the Kids Heart Challenge program. CRM Studios produced live action videos with Finn and his family that put a face on the value of the program. Kids could identify with Finn and see the beneficial results of their efforts.  A constant desire to improve is what makes CRM Studios the video production company of record for this exciting yearly event. The 2019 version received an Olympic-style makeover, complete with live action play-by-play and color commentary.

Writing, Animating and Editing Become Super Powers

“These projects now numbering many years and exceeding 120+ individual videos have been one of the most rewarding projects we do here every year. Anytime we can use our skills for the purposes of good, that’s when we smile the most around here. I guess we’re trying a little to be superheroes for the Kid’s Challenge’s superheroes.” —Tom Kirkhart, Executive Producer on these many and varied projects. 

“The American Heart Association and their Kids Heart Challenge has given us an opportunity to showcase our skills, from scriptwriting to animating, even incorporating augmented reality (AR) effects. Writing, animating and editing may not exactly be superpowers, but they are a powerful way for CRM Studios and the American Heart Association to fight heart disease.” —CEO Steve Dunning,

Need to create a great 3D animated video to promote your cause? Contact CRM Studios today. Or check out some of our other nonprofit videos!