Mike Young Prods. has signed a co-production deal with Asian online multiplayer publisher Gamania Digital Ent. for comedy/action property, HERO:108. The deal marks the first time a U.S./European based studio and Taiwanese content creator have joined forces to produce an original 22x30 animated series, aimed at kids 6-11 a show that will be designed to work seamlessly with online gaming.
In an unprecedented move, Gamania will retain design duties and a large percentage of the storyboard work in the show's pre-production phase. MYP will also rely on Gamania for animation supervision and the work will reunite MYP's Bill Schultz with Gamania's creative director Pongo, a former animation director at Cuckoo's Nest, with credits on hit properties such as GARFIELD and the long running Fox Kids Network series BOBBY'S WORLD.
HERO:108 is the story of a group of kid defenders set on ending a conflict between animals and humans in a hidden kingdom. The show follows the life of Lin Chung (a.k.a. Panther Eye), a boy with special powers that he can't control. Based on the ancient Chinese novel THE WATER MARGIN, HERO:108 features Asian character designs by Phoenix, a member of Gamania's in-house creative development team.
On the deal, MYP/Taffy Ent. co-ceo Bill Schultz said, "We're thrilled to be working with Gamania on this breakthrough series. HERO:108's visuals alone are enough to attract kids, but it was the comedic elements that really sold us on the property."
GDE president Albert Lu added, "Gamania could not have found a better partner for its first outing in to television than Bill Schultz and the entire Mike Young Prods. team. Already we are working closely together toward a similar vision for HERO:108 a property we all believe has global appeal."
Rita Street, md of Radar Cartoons, Gamania's producers' representation firm, will serve as exec producer on the series.
Taffy Ent. is a subsidiary of Mike Young Prods., a MoonScoop company and one of the largest independent animation studios in the world. Taffy Ent. is a rights management and distribution company. The company distributes to leading broadcasters in 160 countries around the world and also operates a consumer products division. Led by three of leading producers partners Mike Young, Liz Young and Bill Schultz the studio's staff includes animators, artists, writers and producers as well as sales, marketing and administrative executives. For more information, visit www.taffyentertainment.com.
Gamania Digital Ent. is a leading provider of massive multiplayer online game services and digital entertainment platforms in Asia. GDE produces online entertainment products and services in Taiwan (Headquarters), China, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea. To-date the company's GASH player-payment system has more than 8 million members and more than 300,000 concurrent online game players. For further information, visit www.gamania.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
