CBBC COMMISSIONS NEW FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT SERIES FROM DOT TO DOT PRODUCTIONS
Skwigly
Dot To Dot Productions has been commissioned by CBBC to produce Art Ninja, a 10 x 30-minute factual entertainment series which will be presented by real life animator Ricky Martin and is expected to TX in autumn 2014.The show combines brilliant art with a compelling sitcom premise and follows Ricky in a hyper kinetic version of his own life.
Living in a cool studio flat, Ricky makes art you can recreate in your own home, whilst he tries to avoid the distractions of real life friends and family who drop by unannounced. Then on his trusty skateboard he ventures out to make epic art in and around his hometown of Bristol with his crafty mates.
Regular features include: Ricky interacting with arty kids via Skype who challenge him to make art from strange household items; Ricky’s guide to filming DIY animations, including how to make an acetate octopus swallow a ship, and how to make ‘art everywhere’ by using anything from pencil shavings to biscuit crumbs. At the end of each episode Ricky creates a giant piece of art using different techniques, ranging from a pogo stick pointillism picture to a slow mo balloon splattered painting.
The show also features cameos from real life artists including Picasso, Banksy and Turner, brought to life in the unlikeliest of places, ranging from a cereal packet to a cocktail sausage. As they appear they offer advice on their famous techniques. Ricky is also interrupted by cheesy adverts showing kids how to make unlikely products like alien gloop or jelly worms.
Cheryl Taylor commissioned the series, which will be executive produced by Hugh Lawton for CBBC and Jo Killingley for Dot To Dot. Nick Hutchings is series producer.
Killingley, who created the format with Alan Robinson, said: “We hope Art Ninja inspires a whole new generation of young artists to see there’s art everywhere, and they too can create it. The series is about ideas and having fun – everyone can be an artist with Art Ninja.”