Nick Jr Picks Up New Stop-Frame Series 'Toby’s Toy Circus' From Start-Up Komixx

From Broadcast Now:

Nick Jr picks up £4m stop-frame series from start-up Komixx

Nick Jr has ordered a stop-frame animation thought to be worth £4m about a little boy whose toys come to life.

The 52 x 10-minute Toby’s Toy Circus is being produced by children’s newcomer Komixx Entertainment and distributed by Target Entertainment Group. It was commissioned by Nickelodeon UK vice-president and programming director Debbie MacDonald and is lined up to air in late 2010 or early 2011.

Each episode of the pre-school series will begin as seven year-old Toby goes to bed and his favourite toys spring to life. Rather than sleeping, Toby forms a circus with his toy friends in which he is the ringmaster.

Grandpa In My Pocket writers Jan Page and Mellie Buse are penning the scripts and key characters include a horse called Giddy and two acrobats who fall out with each other - but learn they are better off working together.

“There is always a life lesson,” said MacDonald. “A lot of companies are moving out of stop-frame animation and into CGI, but we love that this is done in the traditional way. It’s a very sweet preschool series.”

MacDonald will executive produce with Target director of children’s and family entertainment Oliver Ellis. Co-production financing is still being thrashed out and a producer has yet to be named.

Separately, MacDonald has ruled out taking on Howard Litton’s old role as Nickelodeon UK managing director.

The Commissioning Index

Title: Toby’s Toy Circus

Broadcaster: Nick Jr

Producer: Komixx

Commissioner: Debbie MacDonald

Executive producers: Debbie MacDonald, Oliver Ellis

Length: 52 x 10 minutes

TX: late 2010/early 2011