MIP-TV News: Market Regular CINAR Returns with Big Line-Up
CINAR, a regular big player at MIPCOM and MIP-TV, will arrive with a large slate of productions, including two new series. CINAR was recently purchased by investor group comprised of Michael Hirsh, Toper Taylor and TD Capital Canadian Private Equity Partners through 4113683 Canada Inc. (Newco).
DARK ORACLE is a 13x30 live-action/animated series. The teen-geared show combines live action with comic book style animation. The story follows the lives of 14-year-old fraternal twins, Cally and Lance Stone, who discover a comic book based on their alter egos, which threatens their existence.
POSTCARDS FROM BUSTER is a 40x30 live-action/animated series. This spin-off of the Emmy-award winning series, ARTHUR, follows the adventures of Arthurs best friend Buster and his airline pilot father as they fly the fictional Latin rock group Los Viajeros on a concert tour of the United States, with forays into Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Buster stays in touch with his friends back home via first-person video "postcards" in the form of live-action, P.O.V.-style footage of the people and places visited in the show. Narrated by Buster, these video adventures are woven into each animated story, promoting cultural understanding and literacy, language and communication skills, with a special emphasis on non-native English speakers. This project is a WGBH Boston, Marc Brown Studios and CINAR Corp. co-production.
CINAR will also be bringing CAILLOUS HOLIDAY MOVIE (70 minutes), which follows Caillou, a curious four-year-old, whose unique way of relating to the world around him puts a different spin on the holidays. In addition, CINAR will have 40 completed episodes of the CAILLOU series, which follows the daily adventures of the irresistible pre-schooler. Other series include 10 new half-hour episodes of ARTHUR, 65 completed half-hour episodes of MONA THE VAMPIRE, 26 half-hour episodes of CREEPSCHOOL and 78 seven-minute episodes of POTATOES AND DRAGONS.
CINAR corporation executives at MIP-TV 2004 include: Michael Hirsh, ceoToper Taylor, head of entertainment (TBC)Louis Fournier, head of distributionKelly Elwood, vp licensing & merchandisingMary Graziano, senior sales execNathalie Lariviere, sales execPierre Poirier, distribution coordinator
CINAR will be located booth # R30.33 and can be contacted at 33.04.92.99.88.91. For more information contact the company at 1055 Rene Levesque East, 9th Floor, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2L 4S5, tel.: (514) 843-7070, fax: (514) 843-7080, or Web: www.cinar.com.