Press Release from Teletoon Canada

Straddling a wide range of topics, style of animation and comedy sensibilities, the ten pilot episodes created through the TELETOON Detour Pilot Project are set to roll out on Sympatico.ca and thedetour.ca from October 23. Aimed at adults aged 18 to 34, the ten pilots were selected from over 200 submissions for the TELETOON Detour Pilot Project initiative that launched in fall 2007 in an effort to encourage new comedic voices in the Canadian animation community and possibly find new programming for TELETOON’s evening and night time line-up.

“The audience for the style of comedy found in these shows is online. To be able to interact with them and learn what kind of content they want to see is a unique opportunity for both us and the show producers,” said Athena Georgaklis, Manager, Original productions, TELETOON. “To launch the Pilot Projects through a medium where fans can comment, vote and leave feedback is an exciting prospect and I can’t wait to see what the reaction will be.”

Beginning Friday, October 23, one pilot title will premiere each week across the online platforms. The English language versions of the pilots will be available for WebHD streaming on Teletoon.Sympatico.ca as well as SD streaming on thedetour.ca. The French language pilots will be available for WebHD streaming on Detour.Sympatico.ca as well as SD streaming on ledetour.ca. The ten pilots come from established producers, some that have worked with TELETOON before, as well as companies just starting in the industry. TELETOON invested nearly one and a half million dollars across the ten pilots with additional funding available to many of the pilots from the Canadian Television Fund Production Incentive Pilot Program. The TELETOON Detour Pilot Project has helped producers to create a finished pilot they can take to the international marketplace.

In addition to the online airings, the TELETOON Detour Pilot Project titles will also screen at the Ottawa International Animation Festival. Animation fans can catch the showcase of surreal and irreverent comedy on the nights of Thursday October 15, Friday October 16 and Saturday October 17 beginning at 11:30 pm at the Arts Court Theatre.

The TELETOON Detour Pilot Project Premiere Schedule

October 23

Ninjamaica

Production Company: Lenz Entertainment

Director: Cal Brunker

With a cutting edge graphic look and a creative team made up of hot new comedians and musicians, Ninjamaica melds animated action adventure with biting comedy and a bumping musical soundtrack. An amnesiac Rasta with extraordinary fighting powers and an insatiable appetite sets out to rebuild his memory and reclaim his life, all while dodging bullets from his many enemies and possibly making time for a Twinkie. OIAF Screening Friday, October 16.

October 30

Angora Napkin

Production Company: Mugisha Enterprises

Directors: Troy Little and Nick Cross

A unique musical bubble-gum pop trio, Angora Napkin is a band unlike any other composed of three sexy girls Beatrice, Molly, Mallory. Attracting trouble along with the macabre, the girls always seem to come out on top with the help of their impromptu peppy songs and inability to see the dark side of any situation, no matter how menacing. OIAF Screening Thursday, October 15. 

November 6

Dunce Bucket

Production Company: A Nunchucks Pilot Inc. Production for Fresh TV Inc.

Director: George Elliott

Dunce Bucket is a half hour adult sketch comedy show featuring Canada's hottest new sketch troop. Comedy geniuses Lori Elliot, Terry McGurrin, Christian Potenza, Adam Reid and Renee Percy join forces to create some of animation's most memorable and insanely funny characters including Fifi & Bobo, politically incorrect chess pieces and neurotic talking stick figures. A wide of animation styles and break-neck pacing make Dunce Bucket a guaranteed gigglefest. OIAF Screening Friday, October 16.

November 13

Nerdland

Production Company: Cuppa Coffee

Director: Nev Bezaire

Full of sharp pop culture references and with a scathing sense of humour, Nerdland follows the misanthropic adventures of a group of obsessive nerds as they try to achieve pwnage and survive in a decidedly nerd-unfriendly society. OIAF Screening Thursday, October 15.

November 20

Drop Dead Gorgeous