UK Animation Powerhouses Team up to make Digby Fly
Skwigly
Bristol UK – Monday 7th October – Top UK animation company, Blue-Zoo has teamed up with Nickelodeon UK as Commissioner and Aardman Animations as rights representative on Digby Dragon, an animated preschool series based on original work from Sally Hunter, creator of the celebrated preschool property, Humphrey’s Corner.
Set in the colourful and enchanted Applecross Woods, Digby Dragon follows Digby a fledgling dragon learning to fly. With his best friend, the fumbling, bumbling fairy, Fizzy Izzy, Digby takes on adventures in the woods encountering characters including train driver Grump Goblin and Chips, the scatter-brained squirrel.
“From the moment we saw the world and characters Sally had created, we knew it would make a beautiful show and we are delighted that everyone agrees, said Oli Hyatt, MD Blue-Zoo Productions. “The combination of our talented studio, the international clout of Aardman’s reputation, and a great environment and platform in the UK on Nick Jr., and S4C, should make the show irresistible for investors and audiences.”
Produced entirely in the UK at Blue-Zoo Productions, the CGI show promises to be the latest in a long line of hits from the studio behind Olive the Ostrich, Tree Fu Tom, Q pootle 5 and Alphablocks. Funded through an Enterprise Investment Scheme along with presales and advances, the series will go in to production early 2014. Aardman Animations have taken on international TV, DVD and digital sales representation for the property with Nickelodeon UK commissioning 26 half hours of the programme for its preschool channel, Nick Jr.. Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products will also represent Consumer Products for the property in the UK and Ireland.
“The world of Digby is one driven by imagination and adventure. These core attributes mean that the property has the potential to develop into a long-running TV series beloved by families while its characters are engaging enough to be enjoyed by audiences across multiple platforms,” said Tim Patterson, VP, Director of Programming Nickelodeon UK. “Investing at both the programming and property level, shows the belief that Nickelodeon has in Digby.”
Digby Dragon will officially go to market for the first time at MIP JR and MIPCOM this month, and will feature on the Aardman stand.
Alix Wiseman, Head of Sales & Acquisitions at Aardman Animations said: “Digby Dragon is just the kind of property we’ve been looking for and it fits perfectly with our existing cast of funny Aardman characters. Blue Zoo have created a joyful show in which they deploy the high production values and great storytelling antics which they are so well known for. We are delighted to be partnering with them and representing this charming new series worldwide
