Turtlebox Productions announces that they have started production on their new original preschool stop-motion series Bumpy! (10 x 3.5′). Created by Carmen Albano (Detention Adventure) and Celeste Koon (Armadillo Avalanche) and animated by Stop Motion Department, the show will be available to stream on TVOkids YouTube channel and Smart TV app in summer 2025.
“Digital funding allows us to really get creative, have fun, and make even more of the unique kid projects we are known for,” says Kat Kelly Hayduk, Co-Partner & Executive Producer, Turtlebox Productions. “We look forward to working with creators Carmen Albano and Celeste Koon, and Stop Motion Department on this incredibly charming stop-motion preschool project.”
The series sees globular, monosyllabic alien Bumpy come to Earth to explore preschool STEM concepts like shapes, colors and textures, much to the delight of four-year-old human girl Li Li. In each episode, Bumpy beams down from his flying saucer to meet Li Li and asks one-word or short sentence questions about simple, everyday objects that confound and excite him, like a chair or a ball. Li Li then teaches what the thing is, how to use it and other exciting facts. Bumpy uses his globbiness to try to recreate and understand the object. It’s not always perfect, but it’s always silly and fun.
Bumpy!‘s stop-motion animation production will be directed and supervised by Philip Eddolls and Evan DeRushie, partners at Toronto-based Stop Motion Department (Oscar shortlisted short Angakusajaujuq: The Shaman’s Apprentice | stopmodept.com).
A Turtlebox original production, Bumpy! is made with the financial participation of the Shaw Rocket Fund and Ontario Creates Interactive Digital Media Fund – Linear Production.
“TVOkids is thrilled to bring Bumpy! to life with the help of the Shaw Rocket Fund and Ontario Creates IDM Fund,” said Kirsten Hurd, Commissioning Editor, TVOkids. “The kids and caregivers who watch our content value having access to a wide variety of stories and animation styles and the unique look and characters in Bumpy! will bring something new to TVOKids’ audiences. We’re excited to work with this talented team and creators and bring this stop-motion series to life.
