L.A.-based SupperTime Entertainment (ToddWorld) and Ireland’s Telegael (Teenage Fairytale Dropouts, Chloe’s Closet) are developing a new preschool animated series based on Peter and Jayne Smith’s popular characters Impossimals. Created by Smith and his wife, the colorful, rotund and striped characters have sold over 1.6 million art prints and 2 million greeting cards in the U.K.
Washington Green, the largest art publisher in Europe, is responsible for all current Impossimals fine art work. The original Impossimal canvas paintings have been collected by many music and theatrical celebrities. Among Smith’s list of awards is his appointment as the official artist for the “BBC Children in Need” campaign in 2005.
“We are very excited to be involved with such a great project, and were really impressed by the uniqueness of the designs,” notes Telegael’s CEO Paul Cummins.
SupperTime president, Gerry Renert (ToddWorld, M.A.S.H., The Bob Newhart Show) will participate in the development from a U.S. perspective. A three-time Emmy nominee, Renert is also a recipient of a Mom’s Choice: Gold Award and a Kirkus Star of Remarkable Merit for his published children’s books and storybook apps.
“The first time I saw a Peter Smith Impossimals painting I couldn’t help but chuckle at the inherent fun of these rotund, striped characters,” Renert tells us. “Bringing them to life via CGI is going to be a hoot for everyone working on the show. I see it as the one series even our film editors won’t tire of!”
SupperTime principal, Liz Stahler, will manage the series merchandise and publishing worldwide. For more info, visit www.suppertimentertainment.com
