Turner Broadcasting is delighted to announce that it has greenlit its first UK-produced full length animation series out of its dedicated original production hub, the Cartoon Network Development Studio Europe.
Press Release from Turner Broadcasting
Turner Broadcasting is delighted to announce that it has greenlit its first UK-produced full length animation series out of its dedicated original production hub, the Cartoon Network Development Studio Europe.
THE AMAZING WORLD OF GUMBALL is a 40x11-minute comedy-animation show aimed at kids aged 6 to 11, set to air globally on Cartoon Network. The entire series will be created using a unique combination of 2D, 3D and live-action.
The commission represents an exciting step for the London-based development studio, which was set up by Turner Broadcasting in 2007, with a view to substantially increasing investment in locally produced content.
In addition, Turner Broadcasting has financially backed the formation of new independent production company Dandelion Studios to produce the series. The move bolsters Turner’s commitment to the UK’s animation industry with the creation of 25 jobs at Dandelion, in addition to the 15 staff at the development studio.
THE AMAZING WORLD OF GUMBALL will follow the adventures of mischievous blue cat Gumball both at home and at school in the town of Elmore. Featuring a host of wonderful characters, Gumball’s school-friends include a goldfish, a tyrannosaurus rex, a cheerleading peanut, and a banana.
It will be produced using a storyboard driven process, a popular US method, designed to give the visual creative a freer reign. The series is expected to take two years to produce, during which time the Cartoon Network Development Studio will look to strengthen its pipeline of UK-produced content via additional development projects and co-productions.
Daniel Lennard, Vice President of Original Series and Development at Cartoon Network Europe says: "We set up the Cartoon Network Development Studio Europe as part of our commitment to invest in the European animation industry, and with a view to finding new show creators with fresh ideas. Working with budgets that match the scale of our US counterparts, our first series incorporates a unique combination of live backgrounds, 2D and 3D animation. More importantly The Amazing World of Gumball is a staggeringly silly, funny & inventive show that will appeal to our core audience of kids; as well as anybody who loves cartoons."
THE AMAZING WORLD OF GUMBALL’s show creator is Ben Bocquelet, who previously worked in-house as a development artist at the Cartoon Network Development Studio Europe. He has relocated to Dandelion Studios to work on the series.
Cartoon Network is a leading commercial kids’ TV network in the UK, which broadcasts a range of popular comedy and action-adventure animation. Hit shows include Ben 10, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Bakugan Battle Brawlers, Storm Hawks, World of Quest, Johnny Test, Ed, Edd and Eddy and The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy. Cartoon Network can also be experienced through its award-winning website www.cartoonnetwork.co.uk, via games, VOD, mobiles and through an array of licensing and merchandising. Since launching as a pan-European channel in 1993, Cartoon Network now has localised services throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa where it is available in 14 languages and in over 57 million homes. Cartoon Network is operated by Turner Broadcasting System Europe, a Time Warner Company.
In the UK Cartoon Network is available 24 hours a day on SKY 601; Tiscali TV 312; Virgin TV 704. It is also available on: Top Up TV Anytime; BT Vision; Sky Anytime; Virgin Central; Tiscali TV on-demand 310. www.cartoonnetwork.co.uk
CARTOON NETWORK DEVELOPMENT STUDIO EUROPEThe Cartoon Network Development Studio Europe launched in Q1 2007 in order to develop new projects from the most exciting European talent. In addition to creating original new series, Cartoon Network Europe co-produce shows including Chop Socky Chooks with Aardman, hit series Robotboy with Alphanim and upcoming Hero 108 with Mike Young Productions and online gaming company Gamania.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
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