Moonscoop with its sister company Lux Animation, UK production house Talent Television and Telegael in Ireland are set to co-produce brand new live action with special effects show My Phone Genie.
Press Release from Moonscoop
Cannes, MIPTV 2011 – Moonscoop with its sister company Lux Animation, UK production house Talent Television and Telegael in Ireland are set to co-produce brand new live action with special effects show My Phone Genie. The 26 half hour episode series is commissioned by CiTV in association with ZDF/ZDF Enterprises.
Promising off-the-wall comedy capers and heightened reality, My Phone Genie is aimed at international audiences aged 12+. As well as a live action television series, the producers have developed the series as a multi-platform offering and plan to grow the brand via technology relevant to the target age group.
Worldwide distribution and L&M will be handled by Moonscoop and ZDF Enterprises excluding Japan which will be managed by Talent Television. The series is executive produced by Moonscoop’s Maia Tubiana, Talent Television’s Tony Humphreys and Telegael’s Paul Cummins.
Maia Tubiana said: “We are very excited by this series, which has a very strong comedic element and great scripts, and also its ancillary potential. The stories are crafted perfectly for multi-platform and all new technology appropriate for the gadget-savvy audience.”
Tony Humphreys added: “We have charismatic main characters and funny storylines in which ‘Gene’ makes anything possible. The humour hits audiences at their own level using the modern and international language of digital technology as its access point. The audience will want to tune in each week to see the latest mayhem Gene has caused. We are delighted by the confidence shown in this series by the size of commission”.
Paul Cummins said: “Telegael is delighted to partner with Moonscoop and Talent TV to bring this exciting series to a global audience. The combination of brilliant comedic scripts, compelling characters and exciting storylines sets the tone for a series that will wow audiences the world over.”
Jamila Metran, Programme Manager, CITV said: “We’re so delighted to be working with all parties on what will be CITV’s first comedy drama commission aimed at this demographic for some years.”
Nicole Keeb, Head of international co-productions and acquisitions for children's and youth programming at ZDF said “We are very excited by this new series, and looking forward to working with such a strong team of partners.”
Jasmine Hart (Jaz) has a genie in her phone. All Jaz really wanted was the free ringtone download advertised in a weird pop-up ad online, but instead she got landed with Gene.
Genies have kept up-to-date with modern times, ditched their lamps and moved into the mobile phone market. Plus once you’ve downloaded yourself a genie it’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll spend the rest of your life trying to get shot of him. The literature reads: Lifetime support and unlimited wishes, your dreams answered and a friend for life (not so different from a mobile phone contract) – moreover, Gene just LOVES granting wishes and sees any occasion as a perfect opportunity for a wish to be used.
About MoonscoopMoonscoop is a leading worldwide kids production, distribution, brand management and entertainment company, focused on producing original projects and building brands with international appeal and longevity.
Its rights library combines many of the most successful programs and best-loved animated creations in the global television market and includes over 3,000 half-hours of programming airing in more than 160 territories worldwide. Key brands include "Code Lyoko," "Fantastic Four," "Titeuf" (Tootuff), “Chloe’s Closet.” “Hero:108”, “Dive Olly Dive!” “Geronimo Stilton” and "Casper" which are licensed in markets around the world. Moonscoop’s production slate currently includes “Hero:108 2”, "Tara Duncan", “Geronimo Stilton season2”, “Casper season2”, "The Davincibles" and "Super Sportlets". and feature film of "Titeuf".
About Talent TVTalent Television produces a range of television, DVD and on-line programming and content for the UK and international markets. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Talent Group plc (a UK company trading on the AIM sector of the London Stock Exchange) and is headed up by Managing Director, Tony Humphreys. The Company’s reputation is for the creation and/or production of innovative entertainment and includes formats such as “The Villa”, “TV Scrabble”, “Test the Nation”, “Number One Fan”, “The National Schools Quiz” and breakthrough reality kid’s format “Best of Friends”.
In the past twelve months the company has focused on scripted entertainment and recently co-produced its first theatrical feature film, “Weighed–In”, starring Bob Hoskins, Phil Davis and Jenny Agutter. Other scripted projects currently in development include “Head South” with Comedia Pictures (New Zealand) / DRG’s Portman Films, and “Media Meerkats” a co-production with Moonscoop and Characterplan Korea. www.talenttv.com
About TelegaelTelegael is a multi-Emmy® and IFTA award winning studio which works with international producers, distributors and broadcasters to develop, co-produce and finance animation and live-action content for the global market. Telegael’s broadcaster list includes Disney, Discovery Kids, Super-RTL, KIKA, BBC, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. Telegael has co-produced more than 600 hours of television. Its productions have been distributed to over 140 territories throughout the world and have been translated into more than 40 languages.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
