Co-Produced by

The Jim Henson Company, Sparky Animation

Format

Season 1: 80 x 15″ (Available now!)
Season 2: 52 x 11″ (Available now!)

Language

English

Official Website

Dinosaur Train Asia

This TV series of 80 x 11-minute episodes, was co-produced by Sparky Animation (Singapore) and Jim Henson Company (USA). Having performed all the animation work from the design stage to final render, Dinosaur Train  took about 13 months to complete, ending in Feb 2010. The first episode premiered on PBS in September 2009. Since then, this series has scored the highest viewership in PBSKids’ entire history and was also named “Top Kids’ Show” by Hollywood’s renowned, People Magazine. The series was subsequently nominated for an Emmy Award for the 38th Annual Emmy Awards under the category of “Outstanding Children’s Animated Program”.

The story is set in a whimsical but realistic prehistoric world of jungles, swamps, active volcanoes, and oceans teeming with fauna. A shiny steam engine, the Dinosaur Train, runs through these lands and is used by all species of dinosaurs. The train is in the charge of Troodons who are well equipped with the capabilities to do so, even with nimble toe claws for punching tickets. Circling the globe, crossing oceans and inland seas, it time-travels the Mesozoic Era, the “Age of Dinosaurs”, by using magical Time Tunnels to visit the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.

This ancient world is seen through the eyes of preschooler Buddy, a Tyrannosaurus Rex who was adopted when just an egg by Mr. and Mrs. Pteranodon. He hatched at the same time as his siblings Tiny, Shiny and Don. By travelling on the Dinosaur Train and learning all dinosaur facts from the learned Conductor, Buddy quickly discovers that he is actually a T.Rex. Living in a mixed-species family, he is especially curious about the differences between the species and vows to find out all about dinosaurs by riding the Dinosaur Train.

Dinosaur Train is being broadcasted on PBS (USA), TVO (Canada), Nick Jr (Australia, UK), France 5 (France), Disney Jr (UK), EBS (South Korea), TVNZ (New Zealand), MediaCorp Okto (Singapore), Astro Ceria (Malaysia), PBS (Thailand), Kompas TV (Indonesia), TRT (Turkey), and others.

Co-Produced by

Sparky Animation, Bandai Visual, Baku Enterprise and Duckbill Entertainment

Format

26 x 22″ (Available now!)

Language

Japanese / English

Humorous and powerfully thrilling, One Stormy Night is a brand new CGI animation series based on the most successful children’s books post-WWII in Japan authored by award-winning Yuichi Kimura.

The series is an extended epilogue of the children’s book, where we follow the journeys and explorations of May, a spirited young goat, and Gabu, a wolf who is also May’s courageous best friend. Each episode tells how May and Gabu try to have adventurous fun, while hiding their companionship from their respective tribes at the same time.

Enemies by nature, sworn friends by nurture; One Stormy Night series incorporates the vision of devotion of friendship despite being two opposing animals, a goat and a wolf – May who should be the prey and Gabu the predator. The story emphasizes the crucial theme that anyone from anywhere can cultivate spirited friendships with a little heart and courage as mirrored by the impossible friendship between May and Gabu.

The One Stormy Night series is developed and co-produced by Emmy nominated Sparky Animation, Bandai Visual, Baku Enterprise and Duckbill Entertainment to bring this affectionate and charming tale of friendship to the television screen for the first time. One Stormy Night  was nominated for the “Best 3D Animated Programme” award at the 2012 Asia Television Awards. The series premiered on TV Tokyo in April 2012.

Co-Produced by

Sparky Animation, PVP

Format

Season 1: 52 x 11″ (Available now!)
Season 2: 26 x 11″ (Work in Progress)

Language

English

Jack is a scientist of sorts – an explorer. He lives a normal life with his two companions in his home in Beano, a small asteroid that orbits the earth. Unbeknownst to all parents on Earth, he quietly tunes in with the help of CHIP to search for and monitor little mysteries for Earth’s children. When one of those questions strikes his fancy, he goes on a mission to investigate, and unravel the mysteries.

Aided by the “Outer-Net” (internet available off of the earth), Jack with his two precious side kicks – CHIP, and Rocket the goofy little dog, embark on numerous adventures to crack open those mysteries. Of course, needless to say, no adventure would be complete without complications and obstacles in the trio’s way. But isn’t that what makes those adventures so much more fun? Using his ingenuity and quick-wit, Jack manages to come out of those complex little situations and always emerge victorious.

Oh yes!!!… did we tell you what those mysteries are all about?

The concept of Jack aims to create compelling stories through imaginative exploration. Through his adventures, Jack often ends up finding answers to complicated questions.

• Where does that noise in my tummy come from?
• Where did all the rain go?
• What do you think lives at the bottom of the sea?

Jack is a series that is all about encouraging the curiosity of 6 to 9 year old children by having fun with and maybe even teach a little science. The series was nominated for Prix Gémeaux Award 2012 in the “Best Animated Series” category. Jack is broadcasted on TVO, Knowledge and SRC Canada.

Co-Produced by

Sparky Animation, Impossible Kids and Walker Productions

Format

52 x 11″ (Available now!)

Language

English

Fleabag Monkeyface is a fast paced and fearsomely funny animated series chronicling the tales and comical adventures of Fleabag Monkeyface who is part monkey, part boy but man-made, living in the disused outside toilet of his creator and best friend, Gerald’s garden.

Based on a series of hugely popular books by British award winning writing duo, Knife and Packer and published by Walker Books, the series follows the adventures of our eponymous hero, Fleabag Monkeyface, and his two creators, Gene and Gerald, best friends and fans of all things grossly silly. Each episode sees them presenting another edition of their hit TV series, Gross Out TV; a show they were given when its original presenter Dr Dirk Spamflex became evil and tried to take over the world with a monster he’d created entirely from earwax called Earmageddon. His terrifying plan was scuppered by Gene, Gerald and Fleabag and so they inherited his weekly TV slot banishing Spamflex to obscurity. Now he wants his show back and no plan is too dastardly or too crazed in his attempts to achieve this, leading to the maddest, grossest adventures ever seen on TV.

The series is developed and co-produced for TV through the partnership of Sparky Animation, Impossible Kids and Walker Productions, bringing these incredibly funny books and madcap characters onto the screen for the first time. Fleabag Monkeyface has been launched on CITV, ITV and GMTV since 2011.

Co-Produced by

Sparky Animation, Gallileo Ltd and Title Entertainment

Format

52 x 11″ (Available now!)

Language

English

Official Website

Mr Moon Fun Page

Mr. Moon is a tripartite co-production by Sparky Animation, Skaramoosh (UK) and Title Entertainment (Canada). The series is being broadcasted on Disney Channel (UK), TVO (Canada), Knowledge (Canada), SCN (Canada), ABC (Australia), TVNZ (New Zealand), ATV (Turkey), Zee TV (India), TVB Pearl (Hong Kong), KBS (South Korea), Okto (Singapore), Astro Ceria (Malaysia), PBS (Thailand), Space Toon (Indonesia).

The Universe is his Playground! Everyone knows Mr. Moon. Just look overhead at night. There he is, rising in the star-studded sky. But, have you ever wondered what he does when he’s not there? Well, that is where our story begins.

You see, Mr. Moon is an adventurer. Riding his Supafast Moon Rocket, accompanied by Silva and Gold Star, he zips around, exploring planets, stars, constellations, black holes, nebulae and galaxies, discovering mysteries, wonders, adventures and fun until he loses track of  time! The problem is, he has to be at his station punctually as it is his duty is to keep night time at the right length. Fortunately, his friend Sunny, who’s in charge of daytime, reminds him via his mobile phone when it’s time he returned.

The inspiration for Mr. Moon comes from the real wonders of the universe, therefore the characters and locations are based on the real heavens and natural phenomena. Stars (including the sun) and clouds can be characters. So are constellations that act as maps in space. Galaxies serve as locations. Nebulae provide nurseries for stars and homes for other characters. Black Holes can instantly zip Mr. Moon’s rocket from one end of the universe to the other, and back again. But you just never know where a black hole will lead, do you?

 The short clip was incorporated with their Kindsville Tour, which featured a refresher in courtesy for daily situations.

 For more information on this programme, please visit:

www.kindness.sg/kindsville

http://kindness.sg/blog/2013/04/01/innoweek-2013/#.UYMYZ6LX_zM

Ruff-Ruff, Tweet & Dave are 3 young friends who engage the audience by asking multiple-choice questions during the show.

This pre-school game show that encourages kids to simultaneously watch and play along with smartphones or tablets, will be debuting on Sprout in 2014.

Join us for oodles of fun then!

iKids News – Ruff2 Tweet & Dave release

Co-Produced by

Hu hu Studios, iVL Animation, Promenade Pictures, Ten Chimneys Entertainment

Format

88″ (Available now!)

Language

English

The film premiered in theatres on October 19, 2007 and was released on DVD on February 5, 2008. This movie features an unusually large number of crowd shots for the story of Moses. Sparky was responsible for building the assets, animation, crowd simulation and complex shots in the show. The clips featured on our web site are samples of the work that was entirely done by Sparky.

Produced by

Lammtara Pictures

Format

45 x 30″ (Available now!)

Language

Arabic

FREEJ is one of the most successful animation shows in Middle East. It is a CG animated TV series produced in Dubai by Mohammed Saeed Harib, who also directs the episodes.

It tells the tale of four old Emirati women, the main characters being Um Saeed, Um Saloom, Um Allawi and Um Khammas, who live in a secluded neighborhood in modern Dubai. They try to live peacefully in the midst of the ever-expanding, booming city. The city, however, unveils new social problems by the day that they have to tackle. However, for these group of women, no issue is too hard to solve, in their own way, after a good cup of coffee at Um Saeed’s house.

Co-Produced by

Greenpatch Productions, Big Communications and Thunderbird Films

Format

52 x 11″ (Available now!)

Language

English and French

Zigby the zebra was created by author Brian Paterson for a series of picture books and board books, and now appears in a CG animated TV series.

Zigby lives in a tree house in Mudwater Creek, located on a lush, tropical island. In a typical episode, the enthusiastic zebra “trots into trouble” through his slightly eccentric behavior. He is followed by his friends, McMeer, the cheeky and silly meerkat, and Bertie Bird, the anxious guinea fowl.

Co-Produced by

Big Idea Productions, Sparky Animation and Brain Freeze Entertainment

Format

26 x 22″ (Available now!)

Language

English

3-2-1 Penguins! is a direct-to-video animated cartoon series produced by Big Idea Productions, of Veggie Tales fame.

In each episode, Jason and Michelle go on imaginary adventures in outer space, using a toy spaceship and four penguin figurines. The ‘intelligent’ penguins man the toy spaceship. They use a handheld device, called a galeezil, to shrink the kids to fit into it. The villain is Baron Cavitus.

An episode will begin with the kids being given a lesson, usually by their Grandma, based on the Bible. During the ‘adventure’, they apply what they have learned to solve the problems they encounter.

Co-Produced by

Porchligh Entertainment, Grimply Films Ltd

Format

52 x 11″ (Available now!)

Language

English

It is a comic story about two brothers, who progress from sibling rivalry and mutual loathing to brotherly love and appreciation in an emotional journey that takes them through hilarious twists and turns in the story that they’re narrating together.

The first draft of The Grimpley Brothers script was written by Annie Award winner Philip Lazebnik whose filmography includes screenplay credits for animation blockbusters like The Prince of Egypt, Mulan and Pocahontas.

The clip featured is a pitching trailer produced by Sparky to explore and test out the visual and technical aspects of the show.

Produced by

Sparky Animation

Language

English

Ever wondered what happens in a museum after closing hours? Wonder no more as Hugo’s Curse unfolds an enchanting and thrilling adventure.

After breaking an ancient artifact, Hugo is trapped in a mystical realm where he must battle against dinosaurs, knights, dragons and monstrous swarms of insects. Alas he has only till midnight to undo the curse.

The show reel featured here was produced by us as a study and a demonstration of the effectiveness and robustness of Sparky’s proprietary crowd animation system.

Produced by

Big Idea Productions

Format

42 x 30″ (Available now!)

Language

English

Tomato Sawyer and Huckleberry Larry’s lazy life on a river turns into an adventure when they help a stranger. The adventure takes unexpected twists around every bend of the river. They learn that, while helping others may not be the easiest thing, it’s always the right thing to do!

• Setup for simulating and generating special effects using animation controls and dynamics.
• Developing tools and pipeline to improve the productivity of simulation and generation of special effects.

• At least 3 years’ extensive experience in setup for generating special effects.
• Experience in developing tools using Maya API and/or MEL to improve the efficiency of the effects simulation process.
• Extensive knowledge in the Dynamics Module of Maya is a must.
• Proficiency in MEL and/or Maya API and/or C++.

• Animation control and deformation setup for characters with highly complicated anatomy.
• Developing tools and pipeline to improve the productivity of animation and deformations.

• At least 3 years’ extensive experience in character setup for animation and deformation.
• Experience in developing tools using Maya API and/or MEL to improve the productivity of the process of character animation.
• Relevant knowledge in the Dynamics Module of Maya is a must.
• Proficiency in MEL and/or Maya API and/or C++.

• Work with Senior Lighting Artists to establish lighting direction on individual shots in a CG show.
• Setup location and character lighting for individual shots in a CG show.
• Compositing of rendered layers, as well as effects layers from the special effects team.

• Proficient in Autodesk Maya and Adobe After Effects.
• Familiarity with other 3D and compositing packages will be an added advantage.
• At least 2 years’ professional work experience in CG commercial projects.

• Establish master lighting direction for CG show.
• Provide guidance to Junior Lighting Artists in achieving correct lighting and color direction on individual shots in a CG show.
• Work with the lighting/compositing TDs to establish optimum and effective lighting, rendering and compositing workflow and pipeline for CG show.

• Proficient in Autodesk Maya and Adobe After Effects.
• Familiarity with other 3D and compositing packages will be an added advantage.
• At least 5 years’ professional work experience in CG commercial projects.

• Producing lively and appealing character animation by interpreting the key sequences depicted in given storyboards.
• May have to devote moderate effort in animation blocking.

• At least 2 years’ extensive experience in 3D Character Animation.
• Although character setup is not required in the job, basic knowledge in character setup is preferred.
• Familiarity with Maya is NOT required.
• Programming and technical knowledge is NOT required.

• Modeling of characters, props and environments.
• Creation and manipulation of UV maps.
• Texture painting and mapping.
• Collaborating with a group of technical staff to establish a workflow and a pipeline for facilitating the texturing process.

• Proficient in the use of Photoshop.
• Familiarity with Maya will be an added advantage.
• At least 2 years’ professional work experience in CG commercial projects.

• Concept design and illustration of characters, props and layouts.
• Delivery of detailed drawing of characters, props and layouts for 3D production.
• Determining color scheme and textural attributes for the characters, props and layouts.
• Storyboarding based on the film scripts.

• A good cartoonist.
• Extensive experience in at least one of the following areas: drawing comics, drawing animals and character design.
• A comprehensive portfolio is essential.
• At least 3 years’ professional work experience in commercial CG projects.

• Analyzing system logs and identifying potential issues with computer systems
• Introducing and integrating new technologies into existing data center environments.
• Performing routine audits of systems and software.
• Performing backups.
• Applying operating system updates, patches, and configuration changes.
• Installing and configuring new hardware and software.
• Adding, removing, or updating user account information, resetting passwords, etc.
• Answering technical queries.
• Being responsible for security.
• Troubleshooting any reported problems.
• Tuning up system performance.
• Ensuring that the network infrastructure is up and running.
• Being responsible for technical issues with company e-mail, and ftp and web server.

• Diploma or Degree holder in the field of Computer Engineering or Information Technologies.
• 2 – 5 years of system administration experience.
• Able to communicate in a professional and friendly manner with co-workers.
• Self-starter, energetic, strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload.
• Team player that strives to maximize team/department performance.
• Detail-oriented and be able to handle a variety of tasks in an efficient manner.

• Conceptualise, design and maintain websites for our CG projects, as well as websites for product merchandising and licensing.
• Understanding creative directions.
• Maintain and Upkeep of the website, ensure the website are updated frequently to reflect changing demands and to remain current.

• At least a Diploma in Art/Graphic Design/Multimedia or equivalent.
• Strong visualization and typography skills, as well as eye for details.
• Proficient in various web languages, such as HTML/XHTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP, MySQL, ActionScript.
• Fluent with Adobe Suite, includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash etc and familiar with issues if browser/server coompatibility.
• At least 2 years’ of relevant experience in similar capacity.
• Self-motivated, independent and target-oriented whilst flexible when changes are required and able to deliver under pressure and tight deadlines.

• Assists the team in designing and pre-press preparation of artworks, promotional materials etc.
• Character-themed product designs for merchandising.
• Developing/layout composite artworks with provided characters and elements artwork.
• Creating new 2D vector character artworks and elements.
• Well-versed/familiar in colour themes in designs and knowledge of printing is a must.

• At least a Diploma in Art/Graphic Design/Multimedia or equivalent.
• Able to draw cartoon/comic-styled characters/objects, digital drawing skill/experience is mandatory.
• A comprehensive portfolio is essential.
• Strong visualization and typography skills, as well as an eye for details.
• Well versed in applications like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop – a definite MUST
• At least 2 years’ of relevant experience in similar capacity.
• Self-motivated, independent and target oriented, able to deliver under pressure and tight deadlines.

• Closely monitor the progress during the development of the full range of production assets for a show and know its status at any given moment.
• Update the production schedule for various important processes in the production pipeline.
• Work closely with the Production Manager to ensure all production team members complete their assignments on schedule, and pursue targets with timely reminders when anyone falls behind.
• Arrange meetings for production staff to keep abreast of production matters.
• Organize the relevant important information and circulate it promptly to the Management and the Production Crew Supervisor, both within Sparky and with those of third party collaborators.
• Correspond with the involved parties, via e-mail or instant messaging, with up to the minute information.
• Organize and consolidate all production material provided by the client at the FTP site.
• Organize and consolidate all our production material and deliverables and prepare them for submission to the client via the FTP site.
• Assist the Producer of the show with the administrative work involved in the recruitment of staff for the show.
• Work closely with the Production Supervisor to understand any production problems that arise and liaise with the client to put the issues convincingly before them and follow through until the problems are resolved without delay.
• You will be involved in coordinating more than one project at the same time, multi-tasking between them.

• At least a Diploma holder or equivalent.
• Good organizational, planning and project management skills.
• Able to multi-task, work independently and prioritize workloads effectively.
• Have good communication skills, ability to converse in Mandarin will be preferred.
• At least 2 years’ of relevant experience in similar capacity.
• Self-motivated, independent and target-oriented.

This 22-minute musical will feature characters from the popular Dinosaur Train TV animation, Buddy, Tiny, Mr Conductor and King Cryolophosaurus.

And there will be 2 other fringe activities held from 17 to 21 December following the show. One is ‘Dinosaur Train Green Screen Snap Shot’ you can take a photo at the Dinosaur Train Green Screen Photo Station and pick your favourite photo background just for $5. You will also be given a specially printed Dinosaur Train notebook with the photo.

The other interesting activity is the animation workshop where kids ages from 5 to 12 years old can learn to create Dinosaur Train’s characters in stunning 3D at the 1-hour workshop. The registration fee per child per session is $10 and there will be 3 sessions at 1pm, 3pm & 5pm daily. Each participant will bring home the created 3D character and a goody bag.

Come and join us the unique experience in Marina Square!

View newspaper article

One Stormy Night, by Sparky Animation – a CGI-animation production firm – is a 26-part television series about the friendship between May, a young goat, and Gabu, a wolf who is also May’s best friend.

A collaboration with Baku Enterprise and Duckbill Entertainment Japan, One Stormy Night is based on a Japanese children’s book by award-winning author Yuiichi Kimura.

“(The nomination) certainly proves that we have had the correct formula, with great story from Japan and quality CGI work from Sparky Singpaore,” said Dr K.C.Wong, the founder and chief executive of Sparky Animation.

Tomorrow, 20 lucky kids will get to see how animation series, such as One Stormy Night, are created at Sparky Animation. They hav each won the chanceto tour the firm’s studio in New Industrial Road.

The winners sent in the correct answer to the question, “One Stormy Night is a story of the unlikely friendship between which two animations?” – a goat and a wolf – in a My Paper contest on Nov 12.

The winners are: Julia Tai, Lim Choon Charng, Benedict, Vivien Soh, Fooard Zosopari, Maslindah Kasman, Li Ji Xian, Annie Tng, Rachel Wong, Lee Cheng, KM Rahmansha, Liow Lay Choo, Jacqueline Chan, Chua Mui Cher, Tan Chew Bee, Tay Phek Huang, Yeoh Jia Kai, Lim Beng Choo, Lakshmi Dash and Lim Choon Er.

Source: My Paper (21 November 2012)

View newspaper article

Frasers Centrepoint Malls is organizing “Mr Moon” themed activities such as musical live shows, animation discovery and picture book contest to be held at all their shopping malls located island wide from 11th November 2011 to 31st December 2011. “Mr Moon” is an animated television series co-produced by local company Sparky Animation Pte Ltd, UK based Gallileo Ltd and Canadian producer – Title Entertainment (Mr Moon) Inc.

At the same event, Sparky Animation and Drawiz Singapore announced collaboration on a children animated series tentatively titled “Tocori The Ghost”.

http://biel.adminz.net/~newssear/uploaded/MDA/Oct11/05Oct11/NewsPaper/20111005-STLM-Life-C03-33×42.jpg

http://biel.adminz.net/~newssear/uploaded/MDA/Oct11/05Oct11/NewsPaper/20111005-MP-Home-A04-17×10.jpg

Please follow this link for more details.

The other nominees in this category are:

• Toy Story 3 (Disney Consumer Products)
• Thomas and Friends (HIT Entertainment)
• Ben 10 Alien Force (Cartoon Network Enterprise)
• Chuggington (Lodurum)
• Monster High (Mattel)

Ms Henson says she and her staff had also looked at other companies in India and South Korea to collaborate with on Dinosaur Train, ‘but the sample work we saw that was done here was so superior that we were really happy with the quality of the work’.

Looking to steer the newly created department of Business Development, Merchandising and Licensing is Mr Edwin Khoo Phui Yong. As the Vice President of Merchandising, Licensing and Business Development, Mr Edwin Khoo will spearhead the exploitation of in-house Intellectual Properties rights namely Mr Moon, Dinosaur Train and Jack as well as look into acquiring other potential character brands for the purpose of worldwide merchandising and licensing.

She drops by the studio to discuss her plans for the company and its’ collaboration with Singapore based Sparky Animation to co-produce the hit children’s TV series Dinosaur Train.

The show premiered on Disney UK a few months ago and received the 2nd largest premiere the channel has ever seen.

Cbeebies will be the home of new pre-school series Tilly and Friends from 2012, which has been adapted from Polly Dunbar’s book series published by Walker Books. The TV production division of the company is working with Jam Media on the show.

“We are so pleased that Tilly and Friends will air on Cbeebies and look forward to delivering the popular book-based series to a whole new audience, as part of Walker Productions’ commitment to developing fantastic book-based properties for additional media platforms,” said Helen McAleer, MD of Walker Productions and Walker Books UK.

Meanwhile, CITV will broadcast new animation Fleabag Monkeyface. The show will be the first new animation commissioned from CITV since 2005.

The 52 x 11-minute episodes have been developed by Sparky Animation, Impossible Kids and Walker Productions and are due to launch on CITV, ITV1 and GMTV1 in September 2011.

Dubai:

Despite the booming success of Freej, that has being following its creator Mohammad Hareb for four years, the animator has finally decided to close the final chapter on the 3D Emirati cartoon series and concentrate on other projects.

The cultural sensation’s final season is currently being produced and will be completed by December, although an exact date to air the show has not been disclosed.

The fourth season will not be featured this Ramadan as it has always done since 2006 because of financial problems such as lack of sponsorship and time restraints.

“It is very hard to pull a season of 3D animation in less than a year, said Hareb. “The first season took three to four years to complete. Although we are still in production, we have only completed eight episodes.”

Hareb confessed lack of fiscal sponsorship was the biggest obstacle in completing the fourth and final season which will be broadcast on Dubai Television Channel.

“Once the financial crisis happened, the first thing that got affected was the marketing pocket, which of course means no sponsorship. And that didn’t just affect me of course, it affected many others. We completed our three-year commercial contract with du, our primary sponsor, and we were stuck with no sponsorship. Unfortunately the way TV is segregated [between emirates] means that no Abu Dhabi company can sponsor a Dubai show and vice-versa.”

Despite the huge success of the series, Hareb still managed to stir up controversy with some subjects handled in the show such as plastic surgery and religious extremism.

Celebrating culture

“The focus of Freej was never to talk about social issues; the focus of Freej was to celebrate culture whether it was through poetry, dialect or our way of living. We don’t consider ourselves to be the flag bearers of solving or discussing [social] issues. We’d rather skew towards helping children to learn more about our culture.”

He also said that the reason for much of the criticism of the show stemmed from the wide range of viewership his show attracted.

“Freej managed to pull in viewers from 4 to 70 years old, which resulted in a vast range of viewership. The mentality of these different age groups, the genders and the social hierarchy is vastly different.

Unified message

“Some will be more conservative from the rest; some are more exposed to international media. At the end of the day I’m not a government show, I’m not trying to get to the greater good of people and send them one unified message. Freej is the vision of its maker and what I think it’s important.”

The birth of Freej encouraged many other locally-made animated series to take the plunge and delve into the animation industry.

Hareb does not see these competitors as enemies, but as good friends joined together to strengthen the animation industry in the UAE.

Playhouse Disney (UK), TVO, Knowledge Network and SCN (Canada) have all acquired ‘Mr Moon’, The preschool show, which is produced by Singapore based Sparky Animation in association with Skaramoosh (London) and Title Entertainment (Ottawa) with support from the Media Development Authority of Singapore.

The distributors of the series, Sparky Animation, have announced that leading preschool channel, Playhouse Disney UK, will air ‘Mr Moon’ in 2010.

‘Mr Moon’ is adapted from a children’s book property of the same name, which was created by English writer illustrator Kate Veale. The series revolves around ‘Mr Moon’ and his friends – Sunny, Silva Star, Goldstar and his little red Supafast Rocket who will come to life in CGI with stunning digital painted backgrounds. In all of the stories in the series, ‘Mr Moon’ and his friends go on adventures all around the universe exploring planets, stars, constellations, black holes, nebulae and galaxies. Sometimes the friends lose track of time in these adventures but no matter what, they must always get back in time to take their rightful place in the night sky.

Jonathan Boseley, VP, Programming, Disney Channels UK & Ireland comments: “We are thrilled to be launching ‘Mr Moon’ on Playhouse Disney and we’re sure it will delight preschoolers and their parents. Following the channel’s continued success we’re looking to expand our UK acquisitions with hit shows like “‘Mr Moon’” that engage and inspire preschoolers with great storytelling and characters.”

Playhouse Disney U.K. will begin airing the program in 2010. In Canada, the rights have been picked up by regional broadcasters TVOntario, Knowledge Network in British Columbia and SCN in Saskatchewan.

What makes Freej so special is the fact that it is the first 3D animated series to be created by an Emarati national and is now being supported by Dubai Media City and the Sheikh Mohammed Establishment for Young Entrepreneurs in terms of financial, business and strategic support.

The creator of Freej, Mohammed Harib majored in General Arts and Animation at North Eastern University in Boston, M.A, USA. He was employed at Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone until he took a one year leave earlier this year to dedicate all his time to the creation of Freej through his newly created production company Lammtara Pictures.

In addition to being the managing director of Lammtara Pictures and the director of Freej, Mohammed is also a professional photographer, web designer, cartoonist and had also made several attempts at writing poetry and literature in addition to modeling as well. His portfolio includes the creationg of the brand identity of Dubai International Film Festival.

The first season of Freej will air as 15 episodes over the holy month of Ramadhan, an extra 16th episode will be included as a bonus in the DVD release that is expected to come out after the conclusion of season one. Freej will feature more than 15 popular Arabic media personalities yet to be announced.

Mohammed is currently in constant travel between the UAE and India, as the audio is recorded in one country and the video is being created in another. Freej merchandise is already on sale in Dubai and several press releases have been held at several events to promote the upcoming series.

Freej would be a unique adventure to the audience as it brings forth the cultural national identity back to the screen, the success of Freej should also set an example to other artists and creators to take their little dreams more seriously as we now witness what we hope to be the rise of the Arabic animation industry.