The TVOkids Original 2D animated series follows Riley and her friends who morph into superheroes when not jamming with their band; the show speaks to kids whose experiences are underrepresented on screen proving that ordinary kids can do extraordinary things.
Sphere Media’s BGM and Oasis Animation have announced a major commission for their new 2D animated series, Riley Rocket (30 x 11 mins). The TVOkids Original show, created by Mojumbi Entertainment’s Matthew Gerrard and Mladen Alexander, targets kids ages 5-7-year-olds.
The show follows the musical adventures of Riley and her friends Alex and Theo who, when not performing in their band, morph into superheroes to save their hometown of Greenville from disaster. Riley has a special superpower: her awe-inspiring rocket-powered wheelchair. She’s always ready to jump into action to prove how an ordinary kid can do extraordinary things — with a little help, a lot of heart and a can-do attitude.
“TVOkids families are going to love Riley Rocket for its energy and positivity,” commented Marney Malabar, Director of Kids TV at TVO. “This series will also speak directly to kids whose experiences aren’t often represented on screen, and that’s going to offer everyone a meaningful learning opportunity.”
The series is executive produced by Bruno Dubé for Sphere Media; Marlo Miazga, Sean Connolly, and Andrea Griffith for BGM; and Jacques Bilodeau and Isabelle Bilodeau for Oasis Animation. Malabar will also executive produce the series for the Canadian media and learning organization. The project is a multi-partner collaboration, with participation from Société Radio-Canada, Knowledge Network, TFO, the Shaw Rocket Fund, the Canada Media Fund and Quebecor Fund.
BGM president Miazga noted, “Riley Rocket is beautiful in many ways — its heart, its message, its incredible music and its innovation.”
Series co-creator Gerrard is a composer and producer for performers including Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus, Cher, and Hilary Duff. He has contributed songs to the soundtracks for Hannah Montana Seasons 1, 2 and 3 and the popular High School Musical franchise. His theme song for Dora and Friends: Into the City won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Song.
Producer, songwriter, guitarist, and co-creator Alexander has contributed to records as well as writing music for television and film with credits including Disney's Pixel Perfect, Degrassi and the award-winning Matthew Sheppard Story.
"The Riley Rocket series is the first original project to go in production within the Sphere Media umbrella,” noted Oasis Animation president Jacques Bilodeau. “We were very much pleased with the concept and felt that the timing was perfect for a show presenting different perspectives, stories and faces on screen. We’re also of course very excited to be collaborating with BGM within the Sphere Media Group.”
Source: Sphere Media
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
