The Jim Henson Co. will debut two all-new CG-animated series at next month’s MIPCOM in Cannes. In addition to expanding its web property The Skrumps for television, the company will introduce Dinosaur Train. Aimed at kids 3-6, the series of 52 11-minute episodes is being developed for PBS Kids.
Dinosaur Train involves around a colorful steam engine that carries all kinds of dinosaurs to the many prehistoric eras. The installments will revolve around Buddy, a preschool-age Tyrannosaurus Rex. Rescued and hatched by a female Pteranodon, Buddy soon realizes that he looks quite different from his siblings. In response to Buddy’s enthusiasm to learn more about himself and other dinosaurs, his mom takes the family on adventures on the Dinosaur Train. Kids will get on board to meet all kinds of dinosaurs and learn new fascinating facts about these incredible creatures.
The Hensons will also be seeking pre-sales for The Skrumps, a comedy based on characters created by artist John Chandler and made popular by his line of collectible figures and illustrated storybooks. The Skrumps are a uniquely colorful troupe of Skrumpland residents who play in a rock band called Grumble Belly. The characters are animated in real time using the Henson Digital Puppetry Studio. Several short video peices, including a music video and some character vlogs, were initially produced and distributed on Yahoo Kids! in January of 2007. The Skrumps were also featured in their first interactive game launched on Yahoo in March of this year. Before becoming a television series, the property will manifest as a series of long-form DVD releases.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, The Jim Henson Co. is currently in post-production on 40 episodes of Sid the Science Kid, a new science readiness animated series for preschoolers that debuted on PBS Kids this month. The company also recently launched Puppet Up! ‘ Uncensored, a live puppet improvisational show that has played to sold-out crowds around the world and premiered as a special on TBS.
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