U.K. kids company Ludorum has announced the start of production for its first property, a $7.3 million CGI-animated series for the BBC. Targeting kids 3-6, CHUGGINGTON (52x10) is based around a group of talking trains, each with its own personality and style. The series is being directed by Sarah Ball, who won a BAFTA for her work as a director and writer on BOB THE BUILDER. Shanghai-based Motion Magic Digital Ent. will animate the series, and writers have been drafted from the U.K., the U.S. and China to ensure the scripts are international in scope.
CHUGGINGTON is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2008 and is expected to launch on the BBC in early 2009. Discussions with leading broadcasters in France and Germany are at an advanced stage and a global master toy license with a major U.S.-based toy and consumer products company has been secured. The property has been conceived to integrate TV, books and interactive elements.
Executive producers on the series are Charlie Caminada, COO at Ludorum, and Don Toht, Ludorum's VP of concept and development.
