TV-Loonland, in cooperation with German kids TV channel Super RTL and German production company GUM Studios, will start production of its first CGI project called DRAGONS ROCK in November 2001. Delivery of the 26 episodes of 24-minutes each are due at the beginning of summer 2002. Super RTL is co-financing the project and own the German rights and TV-Loonland holds all other worldwide rights to the series.
4Kids Entertainments TAMA & FRIENDS has been licensed for TV broadcast with YTV of Canada, TV Record in Brazil, Media Set in Italy, SIC TV in Portugal and KM Productions for Arabic language markets. The animated childrens series features the adventures of Tama the kitten, who, along with his buddies, finds ways to solve complex problems that seem to elude their human companions. The 26 episode series premiered in U.S. first run syndication in September and has enjoyed a long running TV ratings success in Japan on Tokyo Broadcast System.
Greenlight International, the international sales arm of Berlin-based Greenlight Media, has finalized a pan-Asian multi-rights deal with First Asia Resources Ltd. of Hong Kong for the first four animated series from the Berlin Animation Fund (BAF). The series in the deal are ADVENTURERS, MEADOWLANDS, BOBS BEACH and ACARIA. First Asia also has a first look agreement with Greenlight on all other animated properties for the next two years.
Universal Studios, Just Group, Mike Young Productions and DCDC have entered into a broad arrangement for BUTT-UGLY MARTIANS, the new CGI-animated action-adventure-comedy TV series, which debuted on the U.K. channel CITV in February 2001. The series, backed by a list of licensees including Hasbro and Scholastic, will premiere on Nickelodeon in the U.S. in early 2002 and has begun debuting on other children's outlets around the world.
Silver Lining Productions has inked a deal with independent animation company King Rollo Films to develop a new childrens series DENNIS AND THE MONSTERS, based on the Bristish book series. Silver Lining has also entered into an agreement with European animation producer Millimages to develop a holiday special and TV series based on TOOT & PUDDLE, a childrens book series written and illustrated by Holly Hobbie. The series will be geared to young children.
According to organizer Reed Midem, MIPCOM concluded its 2001 run with a grand total of 1244 exhibiting companies, up nearly 5% from the previous year. Although attendance was down almost 15% from last year, the optimistic attitude of the participants, despite the troubling world events, made this years MIPCOM a success. As MIPCOMs Personality of the Year, MTV CEO Tom Freston stated, TV will bounce back. MIPCOM Junior saw encouraging signs for the international childrens programming business.
Cartoon Network has signed a multi-year deal with the Holland Media Group (HMG) to provide a daily Cartoon Network block on its station Yorin The Movement. Beginning November 5, 2001, Cartoon Network will provide an hour long block which will include its top shows THE POWERPUFF GIRLS, COW AND CHICKEN, JOHNNY BRAVO, DEXTER'S LABORATORY and DRAGONBALL Z. The Cartoon Network block will run from Monday to Friday at 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm and on Sunday from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Under the terms of the deal Cartoon Network will provide local versions of the shows and creative packaging for the channel.
DIC Entertainment and Japans Dentsu have formed a strategic alliance under which Dentsu will co-produce and handle Japanese and Asian distribution of DICs new animated series ALIENATORS: EVOLUTION CONTINUES. Dentsu will also be responsible for television, home video distribution and licensing for DICs MADELINE in Japan. DIC has also joined forces with U.K.-based media/marketing outfit Universal McCann and Cereal Partners Worldwide to form The International Media Exchange (TIME).
Peppers Ghost Productions CGI-animated series TINY PLANETS has been licensed to Germanys Super RTL network and ITV1 in the U.K. The show recently received two BAFTA Interactive awards nominations and is scheduled to debut in the U.K. and Germany in the first quarter 2002.
French childrens cable and a satellite channel Canal J has partnered with Nickelodeon U.K., Spain, Australia and Latin America and acquired Japanese anime series YU-GIOH, which will be broadcast in France in spring 2002.
Blur Studio designed and produced more than 80 visual effects ranging from digital matte paintings to a fully rendered 3D creature for the new Sci Fi Channel series SOULKEEPER. One of the more challenging effects for the studio was a 10-foot reptilian creature with a particularly nasty disposition that battles the shows hero. A full-size animatronic was used during the production, but as it couldn't walk, computer graphics were relied on for the moving shots.
German distributor peppermint and U.S. animation studio Wild Brain have entered into a strategic partnership for Asia and the U.S. Under the terms of the deal, peppermint will distribute Wild Brain's Flash animation catalogue throughout Asia, while Wild Brain will represent peppermints animation catalogue under the pepperkids label for TV distribution, home video and DVD, licensing, publishing and merchandising throughout the U.S.
Cartoon Network Latin America turned two lucky viewers into heroes for their schools by choosing them as winners of the POWERPUFF GIRLS Super Power Contest, which ran from June 6 through July 6, 2001. Diego Armando Ojeda Jimenez of Mexico, age 11, and Caique Tony de Andrade of Brazil, age 7, were each awarded the Grand Prize - a computer for themselves and ten more for their schools. In addition to the grand prizes, 20 first-prize winners received Nintendo 64s, 80 second-prize winners took home Nintendo Gameboys, and 200 third-prize winners each won a POWERPUFF GIRLS Gameboy game.
Mainframe Entertainment, Inc., a creator of computer animation for television, has entered into a co-venture with professional skateboarder Tony Hawk to develop an animated series. Hawk will serve as executive producer for the new series, which is in the early stages of development. The lead character will be based on the famous skateboarder, who will team with a group of kids who look up to him and become involved in various capers. The teen CGI comedy will feature many of the impressive stunts that have made Hawk a top player in the world of extreme sports.
Canadian independent production-distribution outfit Portfolio Entertainment has sold all 210 interstitials of the animated series KLOOTZ to Australian pay-TV operator Foxtel. The dialogue-free series follows the adventures of two pears and was created by Canadian 3D animation studio Klik Animation. Canadian network The Family Channel has already picked up English Canada broadcast rights.
C21 MEDIA reported that Varga Holdings and Australian producer Screentime are co-producing ANIMATED POPSTARS with the U.K.'s Target as the distribution partner. The series follows the adventures of a pop group on tour. It is based on the popular live-action show POPSTARS, where a group of unknowns is groomed to be the next big thing. Varga has also recently signed a co-development agreement with Happy Life (Sweden), which has already spawned three new pre-school projects MUFFIN, DARTANGYANG and PIGGY WIGGY, BJORN THE BEAR AND LORANGE.
In its KIDS' WB! debut, the new Japanese anime series YU-GI-OH! ranked No. 1 among the broadcast competition in its time period in Kids 2-11, Kids 6-11, Boys 2-11 and Boys 6-11. The Japanese anime series follows the adventures of a young boy named Yugi, who morphs into a monster-fighting hero after piecing together the "millennium puzzle" given to him by his grandfather. YU-GI-OH! is represented world-wide outside of Asia, by 4Kids Entertainment.
Sunbow Entertainment and Nickelodeon have signed a co-development deal for SKELETON KEY, a contemporary comedy adventure series targeted at 8 to 13 year olds. SKELETON KEY is based on the popular Slave Labor Graphics comic books by British writer Andi Watson. The animated series centers on small town teenager Tamsin Mary Cates who holds a magic key with the ability to move her in and out of another world. Pending development, the initial series of 13 half hours is scheduled for delivery to Nickelodeon in 2003. Although Sunbow Entertainment has worked with Nickelodeon U.K.
In its KIDS' WB! debut, the new Japanese anime series YU-GI-OH! ranked No. 1 among the broadcast competition in its time period in Kids 2-11, Kids 6-11, Boys 2-11 and Boys 6-11. The Japanese anime series follows the adventures of a young boy named Yugi, who morphs into a monster-fighting hero after piecing together the "millennium puzzle" given to him by his grandfather. YU-GI-OH! is represented world-wide outside of Asia, by 4Kids Entertainment.
Film Roman, Inc. acquired the popular syndicated comic strip CHELSEA BOYS, created by Glen Hanson and Allan Neuwirth, with plans to develop a half-hour animated series. Peter Schankowitz, Film Roman's president of television programming & development and Sidney Clifton, Film Roman's vice president of development, will be developing the property along with the creators. The comic strip, currently appearing in magazines, newspapers and Websites throughout North America and the U.K. revolves around the lives and loves of three gay roommates residing in New York's trendy Chelsea neighborhood.
Spanish-based animation company BRB Internacional has secured two major European co-production partners for THE INVISIBLE MAN (26 x half hours). Italian state broadcaster RAI and French animation house Dargaud Marina are teaming up with BRB Internacional to co-produce the unique series, which is aimed at 8-12 year olds. The deal gives RAI exclusive Italian speaking rights, Dargaud Marina exclusive French speaking rights, plus some other distribution territories, with BRB Internacional and Dargaud Marina handling distribution for the rest of the world.
TV-Loonland and Nelvana, in association with KirchMedia, announced at MIPCOM the international co-production of the childrens classic, HEIDI. HEIDI will be adapted into a new and highly stylized animated feature film and television series. HEIDI, written by Swiss author Johanna Spyri, was first published in 1880. The book has been translated into over 50 languages with over 100 million copies sold worldwide.
Buena Vista International Television has licensed its "Classic Treasures" collection of animated box office hits to the BBC. For the first time ever on UK terrestrial television, viewers will now be able to enjoy some of the most popular animated movies of all time - TOY STORY, TOY STORY 2, MULAN, A BUG'S LIFE and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. These titles combined have grossed over $2 billion in worldwide box office and have been watched by over 121 million people at cinemas in Europe alone.
DIC Entertainment and Celedor International have joined together to produce, distribute and merchandise an animated series inspired by the popular game show WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? Capitalizing on the enormous success of the game show, which is broadcast in over 100 countries, WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE: THE ANIMATED SERIES features an animated host that will launch game show winners on fantastic journeys as they fulfill their millionaire dreams. The program will be introduced at MIPCOM 2001.
Sav! The World Productions brings its latest animated program to MIPCOM with MOLLY, STAR-RACER. Described by the creators as Japanimation meets European 3D, MOLLY is an explosive mix of comedy and epic racing scenes in 3D CGI animation. Strongly influenced by their childhood memories of anime series like DRAGON BALL and LUPIN THE 3RD, as well as by cult classics like Hanna Barberas WACKY RACES or Saint Exupérys LE PETIT PRINCE, the creators of MOLLY have mixed styles and techniques to create a fresh new kind of entertainment.
The Sundance Channels Sonic Cinema series is airing an episode that focuses on animation for music videos. SONIC CINEMA: ANIMATORS delves into the rich and ever-expanding universe of animated music. The program is made up of music videos, short films and short-form documentaries and features the talents of Bill Plympton, Mark Brierley, Jamie Hewlett, Tomas Apodaca, Tim Hope and the Toei Animation Studio. SONIC CINEMA: ANIMATORS airs on The Sundance Channel on October 19, 2001 at 11 pm and Sunday, October 21, 2001 at 1 am.
