Aardman Secures International Broadcasters for Interstellar Ella
BRISTOL (UK) / AGILITYPR.NEWS / October 04, 2021 / iNTERNATIONAL broadcasters Aquire space themed CGI animated series, Interstellar Ella
International distributors Aardman and co-producers Fabrique Fantastique (Belgium) and Apartment 11 (Canada) have announced deals with a number of international broadcasters to acquire the first season of Interstellar Ella - a 52 x 11 minute CGI animated series which is aimed at 4-7 year olds and follows 8-year-old Ella Ryder and her friends’ exciting adventures in space, where they discover as much about themselves as they do about planets and astronomy. The series is commissioned by VRT Ketnet TV (Belgium), Knowledge Kids, Société Radio-Canada, TFO, TVOkids (Canada) with deals being secured with SVT Sweden, NRK Norway and YLE Finland.
Alison Taylor, Director of Distribution at Aardman says: “We couldn’t be happier entering into a partnership with Apartment 11 and Fabrique Fantastique on this exceptional show. Despite not being able to have any face-to-face meetings to pitch the series to our wide-network of global partners, the response from the market to “Interstellar Ella” has been phenomenal. Securing such fantastic partners at such an early stage has enabled the series to get into production quickly, and we can’t wait to see the first episodes start to deliver next summer.
Jonathan Finkelstein, Executive Producer at Apartment 11 says: “You can’t give kids a better playground than outer space. Young audiences will love the thrilling adventures and come away amazed by what they learn and see about our galaxy in this beautifully designed series.”
Telidja Klai, Commissioning Broadcaster VRT Ketnet says: “We are extremely happy to welcome Interstellar Ella to Ketnet. Interstellar Ella will take you on a fantastic adventure through the galaxies, between the stars and planets, along comets and meteors, through eclipses and formations, … embraced by warmth, friendship, solidarity, respect and emancipation. Every child will find his, her, their place in the universe of Interstellar Ella … an amazing universe that goes beyond imagination.”
Synopsis: In the year 3021, on a space station somewhere between Mars and Jupiter in the Milky Way, 8-year-old Ella Ryder sets out with her friends on exciting adventures of discovery. And because they are in space, there is lots to experience and even more to explore! While Ella’s adventures are spine tingly fun, they are also always emotionally charged allowing her to discover a little bit more about herself with each unexpected challenge - challenges that help her understand what makes her as unique as her name: Interstellar Ella!
The series created by lover of space Adam Long, aims to familiarize kids and their parents with basic astronomy and astrophysics, as they are progressively introduced to planets and their moons, constellations, nebulae, stars, comets, asteroids, black holes, and other galaxies. Artistic director, Olivia Derie, uses genuine NASA footage as a reference for the series design and the production team work closely with science consultant Sara Poirier (MSc in Science Communication and Public Engagement and BSc in Astrophysics).
Interstellar Ella features a diverse cast, including Ava Augustin (Ella), Jack Molloy-Legault (Slippy), Eleanor Noble (Madhu), Felicia Shulman (Maggie), Lucinda Davis (Mom), Arun Varma (Dad), Léah Brady (Tilly) and Ryan Hill (Gem/I-Lo). The series also boasts a diverse stable of writers to ensure different voices within the stories.
Interstellar Ella is due to launch internationally from summer 2022.
Notes:
COMMISSIONING PARTNERS: VRT Ketnet TV (Belgium), Knowledge Kids, Société Radio-Canada, TFO, TVOkids (Canada)
FUNDING PARTNERS: Screen Flanders, VAF, Creative Media Europe, Belgian Tax Shelter, The Canada Media Fund. The Shaw Rocket Fund, CAVCO, SODEC.
PRODUCTION TEAM (alphabetical)
Olivia Derie Artistic Director
Jonathan Finkelstein Executive Producer
Madeleine Lévesque Executive Producer
Adam Long Concept and idea
Freek Quartier Director
Matt Schiller Head Writer, Co-Executive Producer
Geert Torfs Executive Producer, Producer
Tom van Gestel Director, Executive Producer, Producer
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Aardman
Aardman, based in Bristol (UK) and co-founded in 1976 by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, is an independent and multi-Academy Award® and BAFTA® award winning studio. It produces feature films, series, advertising, games and interactive entertainment – current animated productions include; brand new 2021 holiday specials Robin Robin and Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas, CGI series Lloyd of the Flies, a new stop motion series for pre-schoolers The Very Small Creatures and a Chicken Run movie sequel.
Its productions are global in appeal, novel, entertaining, brilliantly characterised and full of charm reflecting the unique talent, energy and personal commitment of the Aardman team. The studio’s work – which includes the creation of much-loved characters including Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy Time and Morph – is often imitated, and yet the company continues to lead the field producing a rare brand of visually stunning content for cinema, broadcasters, digital platforms and live experiences around the world. Recent celebrated projects include the ‘visually astonishing’ (Guardian), BAFTA® nominated console game, 11-11: Memories Retold, the four-times Gold Cannes Lions-winning StorySign app, AR experience Wallace & Gromit: The Big Fix up - and innovative attractions for both the domestic and international market, including a 4D theatre attraction at Efteling in the Netherlands.
The studio runs the Aardman Academy which has a commitment to nurturing talent by delivering excellence in film and animation training and mentoring. The Aardman Academy offers a variety of courses from intensive one-day workshops teaching production skills and storyboarding, to comprehensive twelve-week courses for professionals in craft based subjects from model making to animation.
In November 2018 it became an Employee Owned Organisation, to ensure Aardman remains independent and to secure the creative legacy and culture of the company for many decades to come. www.aardman.com
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