Vancouver and Boston-based production company Global has created a new TV series division anchored by three new animation projects: 20 episodes of a new series for PBS and WGBH called FETCH!; three childrens books for the next season of the award-winning PBS series, BETWEEN THE LIONS, produced by WGBH Boston, Sirius Thinking Ltd. and Mississippi Public Broadcasting; and a five-episode original series created by Lincoln Pierce for a new programming block on Cartoon Network.
The series division is headed up by animation vets Bruce Alcock, Tai Keattivanichvily and Matthew Charde. The opening of the series division marks a major expansion for Global Mechanic, which only two years ago expanded its commercial studios by opening an office in the U.S.
Part game show, part reality series, FETCH! (Fabulously Entertaining TV with a Canine Host) is hosted by an animated dog (Ruff Ruffman) and follows the story of six tween-aged kids as they take on real-world (and sometimes wacky) challenges. The series has a curriculum that highlights science, offering a hands-on, minds-on approach to learning. Viewers will experience hard work, determination and fun, as the ensemble cast of real kids competes in everything from training a cat for a commercial, to staying afloat in a self-made boat, to performing stand-up comedy, to blasting off for a shuttle mission at Space Camp. FETCH! will have an accompanying website to continue the lessons beyond broadcast. In addition to producing the animation, Global Mechanics creative director Alcock also designed Ruff Ruffman and oversees the entire animation production.
For BETWEEN THE LIONS. Global Mechanic is animating three books based on the illustrators original art. The three books are: HERE COME THE ALIENS! by Colin McNaughton; Mrs. Mcnosh Hangs Up Her Wash by Sarah Weeks, pictures by Nadine Bernard Westcott; and ILL FIX ANTHONY by Judith Viorst, pictures by Arnold Lobel. Each of the books are animated entirely in After Effects by Global Mechanics series group.
For Cartoon Network, Global Mechanic is currently in production on a short series called THE BROTHERS PISTOV. It is done entirely in Flash and features two angry Russian dogs, who, as they constantly try to one up the other, find nothing but frustration. Designed and animated entirely by Global Mechanic, this series marks the fourth time exec producer, Charde and Pierce have collaborated together on a Cartoon Network project.
Recent Global Mechanic commercial work includes: a campaign for Kelloggs Eggo Waffle for Leo Burnett, a campaign for West Jet Airlines for Taxi Advertising and a Nestle spot for Casanova Pendrill. Recent film work includes: QUINTE HOTEL, an animated short based on the poem by Al Purdy, and the live-action comedy/horror THE FRENCH GUY, which are both premiering at the Toronto Film Festival.
Global Mechanic (www.globalmechanic.com) is a bi-coastal animation and live-action production company that makes television commercials, television series, independent films and music videos.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
