Theresa Plummer-Andrews, departing head of acquisitions for Children’s BBC, has bought Corsham Ent.’s Christmas special, The Tale of Jack Frost, for a holiday 2004 broadcast on the British network.
The half-hour animated special will be produced by Jack Frost Prods., a company formed especially for the purpose, with Gary Kurtz producing, Richard Bazley directing, Alastair Swinnerton writing and John Coates (The Snowman) on board as exec producer. Michael Carrington, the new head of acquisition for CBBC, will act as exec producer for the BBC.
According to Swinnerton, pre-production has already begun, with boarding due to start very soon. A dedicated production team (with credits ranging from The Simpsons, Family Guy, The Rugrats and Wild Thornberrys movies, The Tigger Movie and the 101 Dalmatians TV series) has been formed around Neil Graham’s Zoo Prods., the London house responsible for the recent Ogri half-hour.
The Jack Frost special is based on the best-selling Hodder Headline book by author/illustrator David Melling. Released in Nov. 2003, the book was the best-selling Hodder Headline book over the holidays. A paperback edition will be released next Christmas, in time for the premiere of the toon on the BBC.
The multi-talented and prolific Alastair Swinnerton will be attending NATPE in Vegas next work, seeking international sales and partnerships for the property, which is also being developed into a 26×11 series.
