The proof of the pudding is in the eating and the proof of being able to understand just how fabulous the Snaptoons minisodes are, is in the watching.
Just out of the special media screening by Turner having seen all the three minisodes back to back, KulVeera (Graphiti), Johnny Goes to Bollywood (Famous) and Sulochana and the Nature Detectives (Miditech) and one is amazed at the uniqueness in design, treatment, narrative and genre of all three shows, all of which are diversely different from each other and at the same time have global sensibilities fused with an inherent Indianness.
The power of collaboration is noteworthy and the finesse and treatment goes to show the potential of what can be created with the joint involvement of a network like Turner which brings it‘s deep understanding of the global audience pulse and it‘s development, voice talent, and preproduction expertise to synergize with equally creative Indian studios with world class design, animation performance and production.
All the three minisodes will air back to back on CN on Sunday 5.30 pm in four languages (English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu). While KulVeera is action adventure, Sulochana is comedy, adventure and Johnny Bravo goes to Bollywood is a comedy musical.
KulVeera which has been created jointly with Graphiti is a gripping fast paced, original storyline with characters from the Mahabharata and some new ones as well. The action, the choreography, the 3D is fabulous and features great performances as well, it is tightly scripted and has a lot of appeal.
Johnny Goes to Bollywood created jointly by Famous has some very stylized design, is quirky and is hilariously funny with a full dose of Bollywood as well. The minisode has great personality and ‘a no holds barred‘ madness of its own.
Sulochana grows on one gradually and is this cool series revolving around the intelligent Sulochana and a whole pack of quirky animals who break out dancing (fabulous!) and with each of them on their own trip. Again very unique design
At the media screening were Krishna Desai, Director, Programming, Turner International India & Monica Tata, VP and Deputy General Manager – Entertainment Networks, South Asia, Turner International India joined by Silas Hickey, Creative Director, Asia Pacific Animation Development, Turner Entertainment Networks Asia, Inc. (TENA) via Video Conference.
Speaking to AnimationXpress.com, Turner‘s Monica Tata shared, “It‘s been a long journey of almost two years from inception to completion and a lot of hard work and commitment, and finally it feels great to see the Snaptoons minisodes on air.”
Tata also mentioned that all the three original minisodes which are owned by Turner are currently being evaluated to decide on which platform and how the content evolves from here. “All the three have a lot of potential, which is why we have reached this far with them, and the intention is definitely to take them further” she stated.
On being asked about the difference between the SnapToons process and in that of acquisition of other shows, Krishna Desai shared, “SnapToons was not a briefing process, it was a solicitation for all studios to come forth and pitch and then with the ones that were selected, the collaboration happened right from the ideation stage and intensively continued right through scripting, development, preproduction and till it came on screen. Our teams from Burbank, from Tokyo and India have been completely involved throughout”
Earlier on, Silas Hickey shared that the SnapToons minisodes boasted of the most impressive voice casts ever to be used for shorts.
“It‘s been a great experience working with the Indian studios, and we have really had great time working on the minisodes. And now we are proud to air them,” he added.
Cartoon Network received 301 pitches from Asia and beyond for SnapToons and of those 50 were from India. A total of 10 pitches were shortlisted for development overall and of these 5 were from India. Of those 10 shortlisted, 5 original minisodes are ready and besides the three Indian ones, the other two include Hi So Hill Billy Alien from Thailand and Exchange Student Zero from Australia.
ABOUT SNAPTOONS MINISODES
JOHNNY GOES TO BOLLYWOOD
Airdate: Sunday, June 28, at 5:30 p.m.
Johnny Bravo is on top of the world in Mumbai: women want him, men want to be him. But when a fancy new Bollywood hair gel makes Johnny totally irresistible to absolutely everyone, he’s forced to embark on a mad Bollywood masala adventure to find a cure for his love Mojo.
SULOCHANA
Airdate: Sunday, June 28, at 5:30 p.m.
Sulochana is a girl growing up in the wild with an eccentric group of animal friends. She has a nose for mystery and a strange gift, the “jeepers creepers,” which will help her unlock the secrets of the forest, outwit Odiyan, the evil shape-shifter, and save the planet from drowning.
KUL–VEERA
Airdate: Sunday, June 28, at 5:30 p.m.
Five princes in waiting, and their bitter rivals, are training together at the most exclusive academy in the land. Before they became the legendry heroes of the Mahabharata, they were just teenagers who each dreamed of becoming “Kul-Veera”: the hero of the clan.
All the three minisodes will be aired back to back on June 28 at 5:30 p.m.