files/pictures/picture-35.jpgPress Release from Disney EMEA
Disney EMEA today announced that it has green lit a brand new animated pre-school series, The Happy Hugglemonsters. Set to premiere on Disney Junior from autumn 2012 and air in more than 150 countries worldwide, the series follows the adventures of fun-loving, five-year-old Henry Hugglemonster, the middle child in a happy, wacky close-knit monster family – The Hugglemonsters.
Produced by twice Oscar-nominated animation studio, Brown Bag Films in Dublin, Ireland, The Happy Hugglemonsters is the latest series being developed and produced by Disney’s London based production hub. Led by Beth Gardiner, Vice President, Production, Disney Junior, EMEA the Disney team is working with Brown Bag Films to deliver the 52 x 11 minute series - developed from a series of books created by Niamh Sharkey called “I’m a Happy Hugglewug” and published by Walker Books. The illustration style of the books is retained in the series’ animation.
Each 11 minute story transports preschoolers into the world of Henry Hugglemonster as he guides the preschool audience through the ups and downs of being part of a loving, bustling monster family. The series is directed by Emmy Award winning director Norton Virgien (Rugrats, Doc McStuffins), the lead writer is Sascha Paladino (Wonder Pets, Ni-Hao Kai-Lan) and the series is produced by Gillian Higgins (Doc McStuffins, Octonauts). Beth Gardiner Vice President, Production & Development, Disney Junior EMEA, comments: “We are thrilled to welcome The Happy Hugglemonsters to the Disney Junior fold. Seen through our five year old hero Henry Hugglemonster’s eyes, the series delivers comedic and emotional storytelling with a monstery twist that pre-schoolers can really relate to; perfect for Disney Junior.”
Cathal Gaffney, co-founder and CEO of Brown Bag Films says: “We are delighted to announce the production of this series, it is great to work with home grown talent like Niamh Sharkey and to bring an original idea like this to a global Disney Junior audience is hugely satisfying for all involved. This series will see over 40 additional staff employed full time in Brown Bag Films over the coming 18 months and demonstrates how the creative economy has such an important role to play for Ireland.”
Brown Bag Films is also producing Disney Junior series Doc McStuffins, set to premiere on Disney Junior worldwide in 2012. Doc McStuffins is an imaginative animated series about six-year-old Doc McStuffins, who communicates with and heals stuffed animals and toys out of her backyard clinic.
Created in May 2007, Disney’s EMEA production hub drives the investment in and development of long form animation outside of North America, for both European and global distribution. It has already achieved great success with series such as UK-produced Jungle Junction, which has proved to be a huge hit with Disney Junior audiences internationally. The series has now rolled out in more than 150 countries worldwide winning a BAFTA nomination and more than 23 million viewers in EMEA alone.
About Disney Junior
The newly branded, learning-focused Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. Disney Junior's programming invites mum and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior's animated and live action series blend Disney's unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. Through its combination of animated and live-action programming, Disney Junior inspires learning through play, from early maths and language skills, to healthy lifestyles with an emphasis on social and emotional development. It celebrates childhood by encouraging children to laugh, sing, dance, and above all – have fun.
From the earliest phase of programme development, Disney employs education and child development experts who review every premise and script before the development phase. Working closely alongside parents, the Disney Junior brand vision was created and ensures all content is mum-approved.
About The Walt Disney Company in Europe Middle East and Africa:
The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and its interactive media group.
About Brown Bag Films:
Brown Bag Films® is an award-winning animation studio, producing high quality character animation and is located in the heart Dublin city, Ireland with an office in Los Angeles, California.
In 2002, their short film Give UpYer Aul Sins was nominated for an Academy Award® and this was repeated in 2010 when Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty® was also Oscar® nominated for Best Animated Short. Brown Bag Films® have worked on a number of high profile international series with recent productions including Noddy in Toyland, Olivia and the BAFTA nominated The Octonauts.
Established in 1994 by Cathal Gaffney and Darragh O’Conell, Brown Bag Films employ over 100 full time staff. Brown Bag Films® have a slate of original television and family feature properties in active development.
www.brownbagfilms.com .
