Mike Young Prods. (MYP) and Gamania Digital Ent. (GDE) have partnered with Cartoon Network Int'l to co-produce the new animated comedy/action series HERO:108. This Flash animated series has been conceived with an eye towards online gaming and interactivity with its intended 6-11 year old worldwide audience.
Taiwan-based Gamania's team are sharing pre-production responsibilities and MYP augmenting their work at studios in Europe and the U.S. "We have really created an animation 'Dream Team' for the production of this show," said Bill Schultz, three-time Emmy Award winning partner/co-ceo of MYP, as well as exec producer on the project.
Production of the series also reunites Schultz with Taiwanese animation director and Gamania's creative director, Pongo Kuo, and Gamania producer Sanvy Hsieh, as well as three-time Emmy Award winning producer Lolee Aries, who will serve as MYP's Los Angeles-based producer on the series. Schultz has worked with these three creatives on hundreds of half hours of classic award-winning and nominated cartoons like GARFIELD & FRIENDS, BOBBY'S WORLD and THE TOM & JERRY MOVIE.
"We are thrilled to be working with the team at Cartoon Network International on this important project," added Schultz. "They really support creativity at the highest level and their involvement secures a world-class platform for this truly deserving production, positioning the show for enormous breakout potential." Rounding out the production team will be Rita Street (RUBY GLOOM) of Radar Cartoons, who will be exec producing for GDE, co-exec producer Kent Redeker and John Fountain (THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS) who will direct the series with Gamania's Kuo.
HERO:108 is a coming-of-age tale, focused on 14-year-old Lin Chung (a.k.a. Panther Eye), a young warrior with special powers. Lin is part of a group of kid defenders determined to end a conflict between animals and humans in a hidden kingdom. Based on the ancient Chinese novel THE WATER MARGIN, HERO:108 features striking Asian-influenced character designs by show creator Phoenix Tarng, who is also part of Gamania's in-house creative development team.
"Cartoon Network Int'l is an ideal partner for this series," said GDE ceo Albert Liu, an exec producer on the project. "They share our common vision - not only in the creative direction of the show -- but also in the idea of digital distribution across many platforms that we and Mike Young Prods. have put forward. Their creative resources and global reach will provide the series the greatest opportunity for success."
"HERO:108 possesses a rare combination of funny, original storytelling and fresh, exciting visuals," said Daniel Lennard, vp, original series and development for Cartoon Network Europe. "The show is at the same time both spirited and sweet, and it is that sensibility which makes it feel like a true Cartoon Network program. We are eager to present the series to our worldwide kid audience and trust that they will love it as much as we do!"
Mike Young Prods. (www.MikeYoungProductions.com) is one of the largest and most prolific independent animation studios in North America. Along with its majority partner, MoonScoop Group in France, MYP is a leading producer of CG and traditional 2D television animation, with programming seen in more than 160 countries around the world.
Gamania Digital Ent. is a leading provider of massive multi-player online game services and digital entertainment platforms in Asia. GDE produces innovative online entertainment products and services in Taiwan (Headquarters), China, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea. For further information, visit www.gamania.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
