Canadian specialty network broadcaster TELETOON has begun airing three public service announcements (PSAs) developed by BC children. CAMP TELETOON is a community-based partnership initiative between Vancouver-based Arts Umbrella, TELETOON and Vancouvers Studio B Productions. The PSAs were produced in just under a three-week period this past August, by 12 children (ages 9-12) who received scholarships to animate what was on their minds. The 30-second PSAs are titled The Environment, Cooperation and Self-Esteem and will air nationally on the English network, starting Feb. 20, 2006.
TELETOON is dedicated to animation and this program provides youngsters with a unique opportunity to voice their opinions and views, said Denise Vaughan, supervisor, public relations. We are thrilled to be airing their animated public service announcements on our network. Working with Studio B and Arts Umbrella on this initiative is always a great experience. This year, the kids have done exceptional work on the animated PSAs.
I was very impressed when I saw the kids from CAMP TELETOON at Studio B, said Studio B partner Blair Peters. They were so professional as they worked together as a team to edit and add sound to their PSAs at our studio. I was amazed at the quality of animation that they produced. Were looking forward to seeing the PSAs on air and continuing our participation in this worthwhile project with the next generation of animators next summer.
The students worked in three groups to create the animated PSAs during a 13-day curriculum in the media lab at Arts Umbrella on Granville Island and at Studio B Prods. in Vancouver. These aspiring cartoonists chose their own topics and used cutouts, clay animation and hand-drawn special effects for visual support. After adding the sound elements at Dick & Rogers Sound Studio and editing their work at Studio B, these young animators took their PSAs from storyboard through to the finished product ready for television.
Arts Umbrella (www.artsumbrella.com)is Canadas visual and performing arts institute for young people, 2-19. Now in its 27th year, Arts Umbrellas mission is to foster the creativity of young people by providing the highest quality visual and performing arts education that inspires their intellect, spirit and passion. With more than 270 classes per week, Arts Umbrella provides arts education to young people in theater arts, dance, painting and drawing, sculpture, architecture, filmmaking, animation, media arts and photography.
TELETOON (www.teletoon.com) is Canada's first and only 24/7 animation station, and is intended for both children and adults. With English and French language services, the network offers viewers classic cartoons and new animation from Canada and around the world. Founded in 1997, TELETOON is owned by Canada's Astral Media Inc. (40%), Corus Ent. (40%) and Cookie Jar Ent. (20%).
Studio B (www.studiobproductions.com) is an award-winning animation studio that has produced original series, such as BEING IAN, YVON OF THE YUKON, WHAT ABOUT MIMI? and D'MYNA LEAGUES, which air in more than 90 countries around the world. Studio Bs international co-productions include SOMETHING ELSE and YAKKITY YAK, which airs on Nicktoons US and TELETOON. In addition to a full slate of service work, the studio is producing 26x22 new episodes of BEING IAN for YTV and CLASS OF THE TITANS (26x22) for TELETOON, both distributed by Nelvana Ltd.
