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.
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 pre-sales 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 (26x30') 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.
"Digby Dragon" will officially go to market for the first time at MIP JR and MIPCOM this month (October 2013), and will feature on the Aardman stand.
Original Aardman Animations Press Release:
UK Animation Powerhouses Team up to make Digby Fly
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
About Blue-Zoo
Blue-Zoo Productions is an award-winning animation studio founded in 2000 by entrepreneurs Adam Shaw, Tom Box and Oli Hyatt. This creative, adventurous and independent company has a renowned reputation for their passionate, stand-out, high-quality animation for TV, commercials, children's programming, Titles and Idents.
Over the past 13 years Blue-Zoo have built strong relationships with TV Broadcasters and Media companies allowing them to produce fantastic hits such as; “Tree Fu Tom”, “Q Pootle 5″, “Olive the Ostrich” and “Alphablocks”
The vibrant, ambitious and dynamic team at Blue-Zoo have a genuine passion for their work, and have picked up many awards along the way including in 2012, BAFTA’s Children’s Award for best Independent Production Company and in 2009 Best Breakthrough Talent for Adam Shaw, whilst continuing to work to the highest standard of UK Animation.
Blue-Zoo have worked for many clients & brands that include; BBC, ITV, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Disney, Kellogg's, Clarks, Lego, DHL, Shell, The Rolling Stones, Barclays & BSkyB amongst many more.
While creating such a buzz, Blue-Zoo have kept their feet on the ground, and still offer one of the most down to earth, and friendly services in the UK. www.blue-zoo.co.uk
About Aardman Animations
Aardman, based in Bristol (UK) co-founded and run by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, is a world leader in animation. It produces feature films, television series and television commercials for both the domestic and international market. Their multi-award winning productions are novel, entertaining, brilliantly characterised and full of charm that reflects the unique talent, energy and personal commitment of the very special people who make up the Aardman team. The studio’s work is often imitated and yet the company continues to lead the field producing a rare brand of visually stunning and amusing independent and commercials productions. www.aardman.com
About Nickelodeon UK
The Nickelodeon UK Network is available in 14 million cable and satellite homes and now reaches more than 10 million viewers a month. Launched in 1993, the top-performing Nickelodeon network comprises seven dedicated entertainment channels for kids aged 4-15 and their families: Nickelodeon, Nickelodeon HD, Nickelodeon +1, Nicktoons, Nick Jr., Nick Jr. +1 and Nick Jr. 2. The entertainment company has built a diverse multi-platform business by putting kids first in everything it does – Kids Rule! Content is at the core of the business with critically-acclaimed and hugely-popular television programming from the UK and around the world merging with bespoke content online, as well as consumer product and recreation opportunities such as the UK’s first-ever Nick theme park, Nickelodeon Land.
--Ends--
Also, from Licensing.biz:
Blue Zoo teams with Nickelodeon and Aardman for new pre-school animation, Digby Dragon
Animation based on Sally Hunter's original work has been commisioned for 26 episodes on Nick Jr.
UK animation company Blue Zoo has teamed with Nickelodeon UK and Aardman Animation to create a new pre-school series, Digby Dragon.
Based on the original work from Sally Hunter, creator of the pre-school property Humphrey's Corner, the new CGI animated series will follow the adventures of Digby as he learns to fly.
Oli Hyatt, MD, Blue Zoo Productions, said: "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.
"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 in the UK at Blue Zoo Productions, Digby Dragon has been commissioned by Nickelodeon UK, while Aardman Animations has signed as the rights representative, taking on international TV, DVD and digital sales.
Nickelodeon has already commissioned 26 half hour episodes of the programme for its pre-school channel, Nick Jr.
Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products will also represent consumer products for the property in the UK and Ireland.
Tim Patterson, VP, director of programming, Nickelodeon UK, said: "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.
"Investing at both the programming and property level, shows the belief that Nickelodeon has in Digby."
Alix Wiseman, head of sales and acquisitions at Aardman Animations, added: "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."
TAGS aardman animations, nick jr, nickelodeon UK, Blue Zoo, Digby Dragon
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