Pukeko Pictures [pukekopictures.com]
Pukeko Pictures last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese company, Grand Entertainment Ltd (GZ), to provide creative and technical oversight on the new animated series, Apple Dog’s Adventure.
With an estimated total of 200 episodes x 10 minutes each to be created, the series has already been pre-sold to Kaku Satellite TV (with a viewer coverage of over 60o million in China), will be broadcast on CCTV and other major TV stations in China successively, with the first 52 episodes expected to be released in the first half of 2013.
Apple Dog’s Adventure is a delightful 3D preschool puppet show starring a small dog with a magical apple that grows on the end of his tail. Based on a series of popular Chinese books, the stories focus on delivering simple life messages about how to live and play safely. The screenplay is written by a renowned Writer of Children’s Literature, Mr Ge Bing, who has won many awards locally and has a large base of readers and fans in China.
The series will see the two companies collaborate as part of their relationship with the Animation School of the Beijing Film Academy which has established the “International Animation Technology Joint Research Centre” to actively promote the development of animated projects. The Research Centre is focused on expanding the projects into the international, Chinese and film and television markets.
“This new deal demonstrates our commitment to creating significant content with Grand Entertainment Ltd (GZ) for the Chinese market. The series will be based on the popular Chinese books that already have strong market appeal and recognition so we know as an animated television show, Apple Dog’s Adventure will have great audience interest” said Pukeko Pictures’ Chief Executive, Andrew Smith.
“Pukeko Pictures is thrilled to be working with Professor Sun and his production team. The whole team are throwing themselves at the project with an infective energy and enthusiasm which shines through in all areas of production from design, to music and the incredible sets they are constructing” said Pukeko Pictures’ Creative Consultant, Martin Baynton.
”The Beijing Film Academy Animation School is honoured to cooperate with Pukeko Pictures on this project. In particular, we highly appreciate their help and support on the Apple Dog’s Adventure and are deeply impressed by their enthusiasm and devotion to animation. Our aim with the Beijing Film Academy Animation School is to develop the strongest animation academic disciplines and cultivate top animation talent.
By joining hands with Pukeko Pictures and Grand Entertainment Ltd (GZ), we believe we can turn the Apple Dog’s Adventure into an original animated children’s classic. With this opportunity, we will also strive to introduce the best international criteria to Chinese creations and present the world with the best works created in China” said Prof. Sun Lijun, Dean of the Animation School and Vice-Principal of the Beijing Film Academy.
Following on from their success with the Pukeko Pictures’ television series, The WotWots, Grand Entertainment Ltd (GZ) recently announced the production of the educational app, Love To Learn With The WotWots.
Pukeko Pictures
Pukeko Pictures is an independent entertainment production company, focused on the development and production of excellent quality, multi-platform entertainment for a global audience. Pukeko Pictures was founded in 2008 by Sir Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger and Martin Baynton, and is located in Wellington, New Zealand. With a connection to the world-famous Weta Workshop (Avatar, King Kong, Lord of the Rings), Pukeko Pictures is uniquely positioned in the creation of world-leading entertainment, harnessing the best in global talent and world-class production processes. www.pukekopictures.com
Grand Entertainment Ltd (GZ)
Grand Entertainment Ltd. (GZ) is a cultural & media company integrating film, television and animation production, distribution and ancillary operations, founded by well-known names in the field both in China and from abroad. Based in the Chinese market, its business also extends to other countries around the world. In 2011, the company successfully introduced The WotWots to China.
The Animation School of the Beijing Film Academy
As China’s oldest institute of higher education in animation, since its creation the Animation School of the Beijing Film Academy has been the alma mater of countless top talent in the fields of animation, comics, gaming and cinematic art in the country. Under Dean, Prof. Sun Lijun, the Animation School also created China’s first and most prominent academic prize in animation, the School of Animation Award. Every year, the school’s students create hundreds of excellent animated shorts, many of which have gone on to win numerous prizes in animation around the world. In addition, the Animation School led the way among academic institutions in the production of animated feature films in the country, and since the year 2000 have come out with commercial movies which set the highest standard for animation in China, such as “Little Soldier Zhang Ga”, “Running Merrily”, “Legend of a Rabbit” and “The Legend of Batela’er”.