This weekend, Film Roman, Inc., producers of THE SIMPSONS and KING OF THE
HILL, launched Level 13.net, an innovative multi-channel animation network
to be delivered via the Internet. Level 13 is the industry's first
regularly scheduled, animated television-like network made directly for the
Web. William Shpall, Chief Operating Officer of Film Roman, and architect
of the company's Internet strategy, said, "While many of today's
entertainment and Internet leaders are still testing enhanced television
programming strategies and offering various limited entertainment
programming on-line, we at Film Roman have eagerly and wholeheartedly
launched a wide array of compelling animation content produced or acquired
specifically for Internet distribution." The 18 to 28 year-old focused
network will provide new programming for each channel at set times starting
in mid-December. Each of the 13 individual channels will have a focus all
of its own. "Level 13 Shorts" will broadcast premiere animation shorts and
special events produced exclusively by and for Level 13. "Buy Me" will
provide consumers the chance to purchase everything from t-shirts and
posters to videos and collectibles based on Level 13 franchise properties
and other Level 13 related animators. "Adult Humor" will be available for a
US$4 a month charge to subscribers over the age of 18. The channel will
focus on original animated adult humor shorts. "SKIDMORE THE FLASHER" will
feature the popular flash animation of the same name. "Reviews" will offer
Level 13's animated answer to traditional broadcast television's
entertainment news, reviews and current affairs programming. WILLIS AND
JONAH are security guards who, while watching their security camera
monitors, review current movies, concerts, videos, and music. Also
featured on the channel will be FLICK AND FLORA, two teenagers who will
offer Net surfers their opinions on a variety of current events and social
issues all spiced up with a little good old fashioned American teen angst.
"Featured Artists" will offer live-action interviews with today's top
animation artists. "In the Dirty World" will bring to viewers 3D animated
Babs Babylon and her often opinionated gossip on the lives of the celebs.
"Free Crap" will provide free screen savers, sound bites, art work and
other downloadable elements from Level 13's library. "International Shorts"
will broadcast foreign language animated short films. "Air Out Your Shorts"
will provide Web surfers the chance to check out animated innovative short
films produced outside the company collected by Level 13. "Experimental
Animation" will provide a platform for new animation techniques, styles and
innovations. Available in January 2000, "Make Your Own" will allow fans the
chance to create animated shorts and/or custom e-mail using Level 13's
recurring episodic characters. Finally,the LEVEL13.net home page, will
give surfers network-wide navigation tools and will offer advertisers and
sponsors premium placement opportunities. According to Shpall, Film Roman
looks forward to expanding their shows as broadband technology develops on
the Internet. When speaking with Shpall about the launch of his brain
child, he said the thing which made him most excited was that "a year ago
when I approached people with this idea they thought I was nuts. They said,
'What is this guy talking about?'" With the current success of animated
material on the Net, the "theys" may be redefining their criteria for
insanity. With some 400 animators included in its worldwide creative
family, Film Roman's Level 13 has the potential to be a formidable leader
in animation on the Net.