Little Airplane Productions is accepting applications for a unique workshop taught by accomplished preschool TV veterans on each step of creating a high-quality preschool series. Topics include Writing, Pitching, Legal, Design, Music, Directing, Producing, Distribution and more. A panel of noteworthy Children’s TV broadcasters will be on hand to discuss pitching to a network.  

Cynopsis: Kids!
12.13.12

Good morning. It’s Thursday, December 13, 2012, and this is your first early morning briefing.

Corus Entertainment’s YTV (Canada) commissions Vancouver-based animation studio Slap Happy Cartoons to produce the K6-11 targeted animated comedy Nerds and Monsters (40×11). Created by Slap Happy Cartoons, Nerds and Monsters follows a group of nerdy kids/tweens on an uncharted island where they must use their heads to survive particularly against the unending attacks by the local tribe of monsters. Lucky for the nerds, the monsters are pretty dimwitted.

MORE KIDS STUFF

WGBH Boston and Montreal-based Oasis Animation finalize a deal for the production of 16 new episodes of the animated series Martha Speaks (www.pbskids.org/martha), which airs on PBS Kids. Under the agreement, Oasis will provide the pre-production, digital animation and post-production services on the new episodes. A production of WGBS Boston and DHX Media, the Martha Speaks TV series is currently in its fourth season and is based on the popular books by Susan Meddaugh. Previously, WGBH and Oasis Animation collaborated on the animated series Arthur (episodes 146-185).

BabyFirst Americas acquires the live-action musical series The Dance Time Boys! Created by music director/producer/percussionist Peter Michael Escovedo III, The Dance Time Boys! will join BabyFirst Americas’ daily programming lineup in 2013. The series features five-year old singing/dancing cousins PB and Jam, who are on a mission to get kids up and dancing as they visit different neighborhood locations (e.g. skating rinks, parks, schools). Escovedo served as musical director for a range of TV programs, including properties, including; High School Musical Get in the Picture, Redemption Song, But They Can Sing (VH1) and The Wayne Brady Show. He has also performed with artists such as Mariah Carey, Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks, Lionel Richie, George Michael, and Huey Lewis & The News, among others. For Santana fans out there… Peter Michael Escovedo is the son of Santa percussionist, Pete Escovedo.

PBS Kids will premiere a new 1-hour science special event, Wild Kratts Lost at Sea, on Monday, January 21, 2013 (check local listings). Based on the PBS Kids animated series Wild Kratts, the event features two new back-to-back episodes, Blowfish Blowout and Speaking Dolphinese, as the Kratt brothers, explorers Chris and Martin, head under water on a new scientific exploration and decode the language of dolphins. Kids will also be able to delve into natural science with the Kratts via new science games, including Dolphin Dive (launching soon), and science videos online via the PBS Kids Video Player (www.pbskids.org/video), and new mobile PBS Kids Video App (http://pbskids.org/mobile/pbs-kids-video.html) videos on mobile the following day, Tuesday, January 22. Additionally, the on-air TV special will also be available on DVD from January 22. Wild Kratts is produced by the Kratt Brothers Company and 9 Story Entertainment.

Australia-based SLR Productions enters into a deal with Australia’s Cartoon Network for its new live action/comedy series Sam Fox: Extreme Adventures (26×24). Under the agreement, Cartoon Network (Australia) will have the second TV broadcast window for the SLR series. Based on the action/adventure books by Justin D’Ath, Sam Fox: Extreme Adventures is produced with funding from Network Ten, ZDF Enterprises, Screen Australia, South Australian Film Corporation and KOJO. Sam Fox: Extreme Adventures is being produced in South Australia at the new film studs at South Australian Film Corporation. The Kid/Tween 8-12 aimed series is set to premiere first on Network Ten and then on Cartoon Network in Australia. ZDF Enterprises is handling international distribution for the program.

Sweden-based animation company Assorted Nuts Entertainment inks a new deal with Reel Muzik Werks, a global music publishing company, to manage all music rights on its current and future animated TV and feature properties. The first Assorted Nuts series, co-produced by Canada’s CarpeDiem, to benefit from this new pact will be the upcoming comedy adventure Monkey Business, which is set for release worldwide in 2014. Assorted Nuts joins Reel Muzik’s roster of clients such as TF1, Scorekeepers Music and American Greetings.

PBS Kids‘ Design Squad Nation releases its new educational game, Fidgit Factory (http://pbskids.org/designsquad/games/fidgit_factory/). Designed to provide a playful introduction to electrical circuits, the game invites kids/players to build their own Fidgit Factory, by making a circuit to power variety of machines that control Fidgit character’s attributes (e.g. color, antennae, and accessories). When the orders start rolling in, the player has to quickly get the Fidgits customized before the battery power runs out. Each level requires the player to add on to their circuit with more machines, more batteries, and then use them to make more Fidgits. Design Squad Nation is produced by WGBH Boston.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE 

EXECUTIVE MOVES

FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) grows its Kids & Family Entertainment division with the appointment of Joss Duffield as VP/Distribution & Sales, EMEA, Kids & Family Entertainment. Duffield, who officially joins the team in February 2013 will be based in London, will report to Sander Schwartz, President, Kids & Family Entertainment. Duffield was previously head of international sales for eOne Family, where she oversaw global distribution of its portfolio of kid’s programming.

Walker Books appoints Ed Ripley as UK Sales & Marketing Director and Walker Group Export Sales Director. Most recently, Ripley has spent the last 10 years with Macmillan as UK Sales Director/Children’s Books, Pan Macmillan. He previously served as UK Sales Director, Murdoch Books. Additionally, Walker Books announced Kate Beal has been named interim UK Marketing Director, adding to her responsibilities as Head of UK Sales. She will report directly to Ripley.

Laura Kaufmann joins American Greetings Properties (AGP) as Manager/Domestic Licensing. Kaufmann will be responsible for managing licensing categories in North America including apparel, publishing, home decor, food/beverage, live shows and events. Kaufmann will be based in AGP’s NY offices and will report to Lindsay Martinez, Director/Licensing and Business Development. Most recently, Kaufmann served as Sr. Manager/Recreation Business Development, Nickelodeon, where she oversaw global live theatrical shows and event licensing. She previously worked in general management for Broadway, Off Broadway and National Touring productions.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question: Yes he’s a chief, he’s a king, But above everything… He’s the most tip top, Top Cat. Kudos to: Alan Dorfman-Topcat Worldwide LLC/ Bristol, PA; Brad Stern-Mobileye, Inc/Jericho, NY; Chris Devine Dailey-Simply Devine Marketing Group/Deposit NY; Ellery J. Locklear-Scollon Productions/SC; Pat Brady-CESD/LA; LAnand Roy-The Walt Disney Company/Mumbai, India. 

Today’s Trivia Question: Finish the lyric: There has never been a greater operator in the swamp…  (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: Only the second four correct answers from each time zone will be mentioned; and once you’ve been mentioned in any of the Cynopsis editions, you can’t be mentioned again that calendar week.)

Later — Gwen
Gwen Billings for Cynopsis Kids!
12.13.12

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