As if they hadnt sprung enough new animated features on us already (three in 2004), Montreal-based H2V Entertainment plans to produce two more theatricals starring one of the worlds most well-known toys, the Slinky. H2V Kids, a new addition to H2V and its partner UKFS, have signed a deal with DoubleTake Spring Partners, Inc. and James Industries, Inc. to launch the legendary toy into the world of animation with two movies and a TV series based on characters from the hit collection of Slinky Pets toys.
The first film, THE MAGIC QUILT, starts production in February 2004 for a fall 2005 delivery. It is targeted for family audiences, offering enchantment and adventure as the hilarious cast of Slinky spring toys and Slinky Pets follows a trail from patch to patch on the mysterious Magic Quilt. The features and TV series (26x26) will combine 2D and 3D animation to be produced at H2Vs studios in Montreal, Spain and Argentina.
One of the most recognizable toys in the world, the Slinky has changed little and is still made in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, with the original equipment Richard James created in 1945. The toy has changed little and more than a quarter billion have been sold to date. Slinky and Slinky Pets toys are sold in more than 20,000 stores worldwide.
Slinkys previous appearances on the silver screen include: ACE-VENTURA-WHEN NATURE CALLS, DEMOLITION MAN, OTHER PEOPLES MONEY and HAIRSPRAY. In Disneys animated features TOY STORY and TOY STORY 2, the Slinky Dog played a key role in the story.
This is a great way to kick off our kids division, said H2Vs ceo Henrique Vera-Villanueva. Working with the people at James Industries and DoubleTake is a dream come true. Several new Slinky and Slinky Pets characters will be introduced through our stories, allowing another generation of kids to fall in love with this beloved toy.
Al Lowenheim, president of DoubleTake added, Slinky is magical, very special and a true part of our culture everyone grew up with Slinky! Working closely with James Industries, and with H2Vs powerful creative, production and distribution teams lead, we will give birth to a brand new family of Slinky characters and stories bringing the animated world of Slinky adventures and the Slinky magic to the next generation.
H2V Ent. is producing MANGA LATINA, PIÑATAS and MONICA MADE IN AMERICA. H2V Ent. has a staff of 250 animators, a management team of 15 and studios in Montreal (Manga Latina Productions), Castellón, Spain (Excalibur Animación), Bilbao, Spain (Pit-A-Pat) and Argentina (Animatoon). The mission of H2V is to create and distribute superior quality films appealing to a global audience, and to gradually expand into additional channels such as television, videogames, multi-media, licensing and merchandising. For more information, visit www.h2ventertainment.com.
U.K. Films Services Ltd. (UKFS) is the producer and financer of a diverse slate of feature films, in which the company is investing $125 million in 2003. UKFS is headed by md Owen Lynch and by head of production Robert Sidaway.
Doubletake Prods., headed by Al Lowenheim and David Hamby, seeks out rights to books, toys and other properties which have a large upside media potential such as Slinky then targets and assembles the right financing, design and production partners around that property to bring it to life in the marketplace. For more information on DoubleTake, visit www.doubletakecom.com.
