Building on its success with Nick Jr. in the U.S. and across all the Nickelodeon Channels globally, Little Airplane's bold new experiment in preschool television, "The Olive Branch," picks up a key endorsement from renowned author and spiritual leader Deepak Chopra.
Press Release from Little Airplane Productions
NEW YORK, September 27, 2010 – Building on its success with Nick Jr. in the U.S. and across all the Nickelodeon Channels globally, Little Airplane's bold new experiment in preschool television, "The Olive Branch," picks up a key endorsement from renowned author and spiritual leader Deepak Chopra.
"If you and I are having a single thought of violence or hatred against anyone in the world, we are contributing to the wounding of the world," said Deepak Chopra. "Similarly, if you and I are able to find creative solutions to the conflicts we have with others, then we are participating in the healing of the world. What I admire about 'The Olive Branch' is that each episode demonstrates that our conflicts can be resolved with joy, humor and true compassion for one another. This is an essential lesson for adults and children alike."
Chopra's support follows other key endorsements by the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and UNICEF. In addition, The Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation is a consultant on the series, further ensuring that its messages of conflict resolution, tolerance and mutual respect are accurately conveyed.
“The Olive Branch,” a series of 26 one-minute short films, is produced by Little Airplane’s recently established non-profit Little Light Foundation. The series premiered on June 1, 2010 on Nick Jr. in the U.S. The first three episodes are airing exclusively for six months on Nick Jr. and on a non-exclusive basis on over 100 Nickelodeon networks worldwide. In addition, KidsCo Worldwide, Disney Australia, British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) Television, Canal+ Multithematiques France, SVT Sweden, Macedonia OXO, NRK Norway and WorldKids Foundation India have signed on.
To ensure that children in all countries – rich and poor, developed and developing – will have an equal opportunity to see “The Olive Branch,” Little Airplane has taken the extraordinary step of offering the program to broadcasters for one unit of their own currency per episode.
"We are thrilled and honored to have the endorsement of Deepak Chopra," said Josh Selig, Founder and President of Little Airplane Productions. “The Olive Branch' is clearly reaching beyond the traditional boundaries of a preschool television series and is becoming a source of positive inspiration for children and families all over the world. We could not be happier."
“The Olive Branch” is about two characters who live together in the branches of a beautiful olive tree. One is yellow and one is red and they are as different as two friends can be. In each episode the two friends must find ways to resolve their differences and live together peacefully. In the first episode, for example, the yellow character wants to go to sleep while the red character would like play his guitar. Eventually they settle on an idea that works for both: The red character can play a lullaby to help the yellow character get to sleep.
In order to help cover production costs, broadcasters can choose to make tax-deductible contributions to Little Light Foundation. Individuals, corporations and foundations may also make contributions or participate in the "Grow A Show" program which allows funders to actively participate in the development and production of an "Olive Branch" episode.
The "Olive Branch" is written and directed by Josh Selig. The series features traditional hand-drawn animation by Pablo Smith (“The Wonder Pets!”, “3rd & Bird”) and is made entirely in Little Airplane's New York studio. The music is composed by Emmy Award-winning composer, J. Walter Hawkes.
To view the "Olive Branch" premiere episode please click the link below:www.littlelightfoundation.org About Little Airplane ProductionsFounded by Josh Selig in 1999, Little Airplane Productions created and produced “The Wonder Pets!” for Nick Jr., (winner of the 2009 Japan Prize for Best Television Series), “Oobi!” for NOGGIN and “3rd & Bird” for the BBC's CBeebies. Additionally, Josh Selig was the Head Writer for “Little Bill” on Nick Jr. He has received ten Emmy Awards for his writing on “Sesame Street” and was the Resident Producer of the historic Israeli/Palestinian “Sesame Street” co-production (winner of the 1998 Japan Prize). Josh also writes a weekly column for KidScreen Magazine called "Planet Preschool" which can be read at www.kidscreen.com. For more information about Little Airplane Productions please visit www.littleairplane.com About Little Light FoundationLittle Light Foundation was formed in 2009 with the simple goal of creating and producing the highest quality children's television programming that fosters tolerance and mutual respect. The Managing Director of Little Light Foundation is Melanie Pal and the Board Members includes American journalist and media host David Hartman, Nick McInnes of United Kingdom Trade and Investment and Donna Blackwell, former Executive Director of the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation. Little Light Foundation is a registered non-profit 501c3 and all donations are tax exempt as allowed by law. For further information on Little Light Foundation, please visit www.littlelightfoundation.org or contact Melanie Pal in the US at 212-965-8999 or melanie@littleairplane.com.
Rick DeMott
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