CHESHIRE SMILE ANIMATION AND STUDIO B PRODUCTIONS TEAM UP TO PRODUCE 1 HOUR ANIMATED CHRISTMAS SPECIAL FOR TELETOON.

For Immediate Release

CHESHIRE SMILE ANIMATION AND STUDIO B PRODUCTIONS TEAM UP TO PRODUCE 1 HOUR ANIMATED CHRISTMAS SPECIAL FOR TELETOON.

Television movie’s development, pre-production and post-production at Cheshire Smile Animation’s new Saskatoon Animation Studio, to be animated in British Columbia at Studio B Productions.

24 March 2008 – (Saskatoon, SK) Producers Cheshire Smile Animation and Studio B Productions announce the beginning of production on The Side Show Christmas, an animated Christmas special following The Most Unbelievable Show on Earth, a Side Show facing foreclosure on Christmas Day. Written by Jeff Martel and Directed by Tim Tyler (The writer/director team from A Fairy Tale Christmas, 2005), The Side Show Christmas will be in production from January – September 2008 in Saskatoon and Vancouver. The Side Show Christmas will be broadcast on Teletoon Christmas 2008.

The production is executive produced by Blair Peters and Chris Bartleman of Studio B Production and is produced by Tim Tyler of Cheshire Smile Animation.

“We are thrilled to be producing The Side Show Christmas in Saskatchewan and British Columbia” says producer Tim Tyler of Cheshire Smile Animation, “our partnership with Teletoon, Canada’s Animation Station, and Studio B Productions, a world leader in the production of quality children’s television, represents a significant opportunity for the evolution of the animation industry here in Saskatchewan.”

When Sandwell Shanks, the owner of The Most Unbelievable Show On Earth, hypnotizes Santa, turning him into the star of a wildly popular Side Show attraction to stave off foreclosure by the Bank on Christmas Day, it is up to his son Jason, with a little help from his friends at the Side Show and North Pole, to save Christmas and his fathers beloved Side Show. The Side Show Christmas is a story about family, friendship, and what it really means to give in these modern times

“This is an exciting project for Studio B,” states Blair Peters of Studio B Productions, “The Side Show Christmas promises to be a great success, as already demonstrated by the commitment from TELETOON. We are delighted to add this to our 2008 production slate, alongside Kid vs. Kat and Martha Speaks.”

Established in 2000, Cheshire Smile Animation is an award winning animation and interactive production studio located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Cheshire Smile Animation specializes in animation development, production and management services for the creation Broadcast Television and Interactive Media. The company website is www.cheshiresmile.com.

Colin Murdock and Cathy Weseluck perform during the recording of The Side Show Christmas at Dick and Rogers in Vancouver BC.

The Side Show Christmas is produced in association with Teletoon, with the participation of the Canadian Television Fund License Fee Program, the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit Program, the Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit Program, and the British Columbia Production Service Tax Credit Program. The Side Show Christmas was developed with the assistance of SaskFilm and the CTV Saskatchewan Program Development Fund.

About Studio B Productions Inc.
Headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Studio B Productions Inc., a production subsidiary of DHX Media Ltd., is a leader in the field of kids’ entertainment. Studio B is the producer of such popular and award-winning properties as Ricky Sprocket – Showbiz Boy (seen on TELETOON and Nickelodeon worldwide), Being Ian, The Amazing Adrenalini Brothers!, Class of the Titans and George of the Jungle®, a co-production with Classic Media, Inc. on Cartoon Network U.S. In addition, Studio B will launch two new properties in 2008, Kid vs. Kat, an original series with YTV and Jetix Europe and Martha Speaks, a co-production with WGBH Boston. For more information, please visit www.studiobproductions.com

About DHX Media Ltd.
DHX Media Ltd. is a leading international producer and distributor of film and television programming and interactive content with an emphasis on children, family and youth markets. DHX Media Ltd. shares are listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange, AIM and the Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX. In addition to Studio B, DHX Media’s other production companies, Decode Entertainment and Halifax Film, are the producers or co-producers of 14 original television series and theatrical releases currently commissioned for production and maintain a growing library of over 1,750 half-hours of mostly children and youth-oriented television productions. DECODE Enterprises is the distribution subsidiary of DHX Media Ltd. It handles programme sales for third party producers and for DHX subsidiaries DECODE Entertainment, Halifax Film and Studio B Productions. www.dhxmedia.com.

For more information about The Side Show Christmas, contact Tim Tyler, Producer, Cheshire Smile Animation Inc., 306-652-2102 or by email tim@cheshiresmile.com

 

Seelenheil nominated for a 2008 Showcase Award

“Seelenheil” the three minute flash animated film that I directed and produced in partnership with Rick Stefanowki has been nominated for best Animation at Showcase, the Saskatchewan Motion Picture Industry Awards.

Since I have a pretty bad track record with award nominations thought I would thank everyone here for there great work on a tough project.

Rick - Great Job. You found this project, financed it, kept it moving forward, lost hair because of it, and ultimately got it done. Good Job. That is what it is all about.

Andrew - Thanks for creating a rich, epic WWII story with suprising relevance to the world we live in today.

Torin - Thanks for all your help. A great editor challenges the picture to be better. You did and the film is better because of you.

Ross & the team at Cosmic Pad - Great Job on the audio. The music is awesome, the foley is great. Thanks so much.

Nathen - Great Job. You persevered and work with me to deliver a great film, thanks.

Paul - Awesome Animation - Thanks again. I know it was a lot of work.

Chris - Those BG’s are awesome. Without your wonderful color, this project just would not have the tone and depth that the final picture drips with.

To the voice Cast - Thanks Again.

Most importantly, Thank you SaskFilm, The Saskatchewan Arts Board, and the National FilmBoard of Canada. With out you this film would not have been possible.

 

Exciting times for Cheshire Smile Animation in 2008

Well it is official, Cheshire Smile Animation is on the grow in 2008. After working away slugging, it out in producer / director Tim Tyler’s home office (which remains the official world HQ) for part of 2006 and and all of 2007, Cheshire Smile Animation Inc. has set up a new studio for the production of “Side Show Christmas”.

“Side Show Christmas” is a one hour special that will be broadcast in Canada on Teletoon Christmas 2008. The show is written by Saskatchewan writer Jeff Martel and will be produced in Saskatchewan by Cheshire Smile Animation Inc. and animated in British Columbia by Studio B Productions. Blair Peters and Chris Bartleman are Executive Producing.

Animation design is currently underway and is being split between Studio B and Cheshire Smile. I will direct the production of the boards and animatic here in Saskatchewan. The show will then move out to Studio B for animation production in Flash, and then will return to Saskatchewan for Audio and Video post production.

This production was the result of a pitch that was delivered to Teletoon initially at the Banff World Television Festival in 2006 and has been developed in partnership with Teletoon, SaskFilm, SCN and the CTV program development fund to create an original story with vibrant characters.

 

Cheshire Smile Animation inks development deal with CBC Kids.

Cheshire Smile Animation Announces Development Deal with CBC Kids on the 13 x 3 minute live action animated series Toby’s Canada for CBC Television and SCN.

14 November 2007 - (Saskatoon, SK) Producer Cheshire Smile Animation announce the beginning of development on Toby’s Canada, a television series for 2 – 6 year old children starring Toby, a digi-savy seven year old who makes and stars in his own short docu-videocasts about his experiences discovering the magic and diversity of Canada.

Toby’s Canada is produced by Tim Tyler of Cheshire Smile Animation Inc. and Mike and Mark Birkland. It features the writing talents of Darwin C. Vickers (Ned’s Newt, Jimmy Neutron, Pelswick), and will be developed for production in the summer of 2008.

“We are excited to be working with CBC Kids and SCN in the development of Toby’s Canada” says producer Tim Tyler of Cheshire Smile Animation Inc., “We have been working for a long time on the development of this property, and it is great to see an appetite at the from CBC Kids for original Saskatchewan television content with a National Focus.”

Toby is an inspired, animated (literally and figuratively) child in a live-action world who is passionate about discovering the many facets to life in Canada. As a roving vid-caster, Toby travels the nation finding entertaining educational and cool stories about Canadian geography, locations and life for his friends watching on television and the internet at home. Children love Toby. They look up to him because he is versatile and talented with computers, cameras and technology and he uses those skills, along with his natural curiosity and good humor, to explore the Canadian places and stories that children want to learn more about.

Established in 2000, Cheshire Smile Animation Inc. combines broadcaster focused development and production of animated entertainment properties with service animation and interactive production.

Toby’s Canada is developed in association with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and the Saskatchewan Communications Network, with the participation of the Canadian Television Fund.

 

BarCamp Saskatoon 2007

http://barcamp.pbwiki.com/BarCampSaskatoon2007

BarCamp is an international network of unconferences — open, participatory workshop-events, whose content is provided by participants — focusing on early-stage web applications, and related open source technologies and social protocols.

BarCampSaskatoon2007 is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos, and interaction from participants. BarCampSaskatoon2007 is open to all who love technology as a place to talk and to learn.

BarCampSaskatoon2007 will take place on September 29th, 2007 at The Cellar in the basement of the Senator Hotel (243 21st Street East).

From all reports, last year’s BarCamp in Saskatoon was a huge smash. Sadly I was out of town and was unable to attend. I will be attending this year and look foward to participating in this years BarCamp. It is being organized by many of the same people who organized the recent Saskatchewan Interactive Summit 2007, an event that absolutely blew my mind - in a positive way that is If you are going to be attending, make sure to drop me a line, I would love to talk to you about your projects!

To find out more about BarCampSaskatoon2007 visit Ryan’s Blog or check out the highlights from last years BarCamp.

If you are interested in interactive technology, sharing about interactive technology, or networking with people who love interactive technology there is a good chance that this could be a great event for you to attend.

Space is limited to only 100 participants so make sure to sign up soon. If you do it before September 15, the word on the street is that you will get a free and groovy T-Shirt.

http://barcamp.pbwiki.com/BarCampSaskatoon2007

 

More Toby Thoughts

We have been rolling along on the re-development of this concept and have a one sheet that we are now starting to shop around to broadcasters. I am going to pitch this to Treehouse next week.

Any comments / criticism / insights would be greatly appreciated.

Toby’s Time

13 x 3 minute animation / documentary

Preschool (3-5)

Toby’s Time is a 13 X 3 minute animation / documentary series for 3 – 5 year old children starring Toby, a digi-savy seven year old who makes and stars in his own short docu-videocasts about his experiences discovering the magic and diversity of life in the world around him.

Toby is an inspired, animated (literally and figuratively) child in a live-action world who is passionate about discovering the many facets to life in the world around him. Toby goes to great effort to share his findings with his friends in the TV audience all over the world.

Children love Toby. They look up to him because he is versatile and talented with computers, cameras and technology and he uses those skills and his natural curiosity to explore stories that children want to know and learn more about.

From behind the scenes at the Rodeo, to shearing sheep, model railroads, or fighting forest fires in Northern Saskatchewan, Toby is in front of the camera and behind it all the while providing a youthful point of view for the children in his viewing audience.

Toby is not afraid to get to the heart of the story and find out in a sometimes serious, sometimes cheeky way the facts that only children can truly appreciate. That’s right everything from how many pounds of poo gets mucked out of the Rodeo Stalls in a day to the number of pieces of railroad track it would take to make a model railroad that could span the planet or go to the moon. These are just some of the facts that Toby will share with his friends along the way.

As an animated child, Toby has access to a wide range of places and situations that most children never experience. Toby uses that access to provide a unique point of entry into the exciting world that exists just beyond the front door.

Toby’s Time is a series that aims to introduce children, in a fun, educational manner, to the diversity of life and experience that can be found within Canada, this great land of ours.

For more information about this show please contact Tim Tyler, Producer.
tel: 306.652.2102 email:tim@cheshiresmile.com http://www.cheshiresmile.com
2007 Birkland Bros. Entertainment and Cheshire Smile Animation Inc.
All Rights Reserved

 

 

Flicks Industry Panel - Come on out if you’re in Saskatoon

If you are interested in listening to a panel that looks into the process of successfully developing and producing television in Canada, this panel discussion should be highly worthwhile (and I am moderating it to boot). The pedigree of all the panelists is quite impressive, it should be enlightening and very informative.

I always find it very worthwhile to have the opportunity to listen to broadcasters talk about what they look for in projects and producing teams. To know what a broadcaster wants, you have to find out what they have on their shopping list. This is the first time that we have had a major Canadian children’s television broadcaster (YTV, Treehouse, and National Geographic Kids) come out and speak in Saskatoon. It is definitely worth a listen.

Hopefully we can get a solid turn out for what promises to be a great event.

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The First FLICKS Film Forum Hosts Esteemed Panel.
April 19, 2007

Flicks International Film Festival for Young People is proud to announce its inaugural industry day! Open to all who wish to attend, the Flicks Film Forum will be a round table discussion on the steps of creating, producing and distributing content for national broadcast.

Presenters for this program include Bonita Seigel (Director of Original Programming, Corus Entertainment), Virginia Thompson (Producer, renegadepress.com and Corner Gas) and Melanie Jackson (Co-Creator, Wapos Bay). The event will be moderated by the President of Cheshire Smile Animation and Saskatoon resident, Tim Tyler.
The panelists will discuss the process they have gone through to shepherd their work onto the national and international media. Following the discussion, the floor will be opened up for a question and answer period.

The Forum will take place one day prior to the official opening on the Festival on April 19, 2007 in Saskatoon. Tickets to the event are $25 each and are available by calling Anita Smith at (306) 956-3456 or by emailing flicksfilmfestival@sasktel.net. Hope to see you there!

For more information, contact: Sean Hoy, Festival Producer Telephone: (306) 956-3456 Email: flicksfilmfestival@sasktel.net Website: www.flicksfilmfest.org

 

Is the Canadian Animation Industry approaching maximum capacity?

Every couple of days I have been getting calls at my studio from other studios looking for help on their animation projects. This is good news for us because at the end of the day service animation work is what keeps a crew going and growing but it makes me wonder, is the Canadian Animation Industry approaching it’s maximum capacity?

In this article on AWN Joseph Gilland theorizes that the software tools available today, mostly Flash, allow smaller companies to produce animation at a rate that was not conceivable even 15 years ago. Because of this major shift, entire productions, TV series, and features are being produced almost entirely in house using a crew that is almost entirely Canadian. A smart thing to do because it allows the producers to take advantage of the lucrative Canadian and Provincial tax credits that can be accessed for just this kind of production.

The result of this is that there is a real demand for animators who are educated in the principles of classical animation yet have the computer savvy required for the use of software like Adobe Flash.

In Saskatchewan retention of skilled animation crew is always going to be a problem however the upside is that we have a great classical animation school, Red House College, that is training incredibly talented students who all have a solid foundation in classical principles and can be trained in Flash or other methods of digital animation.

I am curious, is the education and training pipeline for animation talent in Canada wide enough to serve this ever growing demand for skilled digital animation talent or is the industry likely to go back to a model more like that of the industry in the 80’s and 90’s where a great deal of the work was outsourced over seas?

My personal feeling, speaking from the point of view of a company that always has labor shortage issues, is that the future will be somewhere in the middle. The very nature of the evolved medium of animation though flash lends its self to digital collaboration in ways that were never possible before, this is exciting because it is possible to put together animation teams that literally span the globe with very little additional cost to production.