ANIMATION COLLECTIVE HEADS FROM GOTHAM TO MIPCOM WITH A VARIETY OF ORIGINAL KIDS’ SERIES

NYC’s Largest Animation Studio to Showcase Ellen’s Acres, HTDT, Kappa Mikey, Thumb Wrestling Federation: TWF, Leader Dog, Tortellini Western and More

New York, NY (September 27, 2006) – Animation Collective, New York City’s largest animation studio with more original series in production than any other studio in the world, today announced the slate of animated and live-action properties it will showcase at MIPCOM and MIPCOM JUNIOR in October.

Larry Schwarz, Animation Collective CEO and creator of all of its shows will be attending the markets along with Annalise Carol, EVP, and Gabriel Sassoon, Director of Business and Legal Affairs.

“Although our series are done in different styles and are geared for various age groups, the theme that carries through all of them is great characters and great stories. We believe this is what makes our series universally appealing to markets all over the world,” said Schwarz.

Following are the shows Animation Collective will offer at MIP and MIP JR.:

Series

• Ellen’s Acres (52x11min)– Currently in production for Cartoon Network U.S. and UK (early 2007 launch), this preschool comedy series centers around 5-year-old Ellen, her feather duster, her radial tire, the hotel she owns and her amazing adventures. Actually, the hotel belongs to her parents, but the amazing adventures part is totally true!
  
  

• HTDT (26x22min)– This anime-inspired action comedy series for 6-11 year-olds is currently in production for Cartoon Network US.

When all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty back together again, they turned to Dr. Kizami Miyazaki, who did the trick with some bio-nuclear physics. Now known simply as HTDT, he battles the forces of evil unleashed by the Butcher, the Baker and the Candlestick Maker.

• Kappa Mikey (52x22min)– Nickelodeon’s first global acquisition, this half hour comedy series is represented by MTV Networks International for worldwide terrestrial broadcast rights.

American Actor Mikey Simon joins the cast of LilyMu, once the top rated anime show in Japan. Though Mikey is a fish out of water (a raw one in this case!), his crazy antics and style lift LilyMu out of the ratings gutter and transform Mikey into the biggest star Japan has ever seen.

Short-format Series

• Thumb Wrestling Federation: TWF – Currently airing on Nicktoons Network, this short-format, live action comedy series about a fictional sports league is represented by MTV Networks International for worldwide terrestrial broadcast rights.
  
  TWF is Pokemon and Highlander meets Celebrity Death match. It’s pro wresting for kids, complete with good and evil, ridiculously memorable characters and over the top comedic action. TWF features 56 masked thumb wrestlers each with unique comedic personality, different skill levels, signature moves and allegiances
  
  

• Leader Dog (13x2min.) – Currently airing on Nicktoons Network. The Zmeds came to Earth in search of our leader. What they got was a mangy junkyard dog on the run from the pound. In fairness, he was "leading". In fact he was leading by about two city blocks when he ran right into the ship's tractor beam. Back on Zmed "Leader" is hailed as a hero. Now he's rocking the place doggie-style!
  
  

• Tortellini Western (13x2min.) – Currently airing on Nicktoons Network. If Sergio Leone directed the Simpsons, you'd have Tortellini Western, an operatic comedy about one family's adventures in a new world.

The Rumpus Library – A portfolio of short format content from the award-winning children’s new media and entertainment company. Shows include:

• Monster in My Closet (11 min.) – Before Monsters Inc., there was the Monster in My Closet movie. Doug doesn’t just have a monster in his closet. He’s got monsters everywhere in this Halloween special animated with spooky black light effects.

• Science Freaks (6x4min) – Dr. Freakenstein created these adorable mutant monsters. Each episode features a different adventure and a science experiment kids can do at home.

• Eggels (6x4min) Each episode provides a hilarious glimpse into the world of the tiny Smurf-like creatures known as the Eggels.

• Space Puppies (13x 3.5min) – Long before the first manned space flight, these four intrepid canine space explorers traveled to the farthest reaches of the universe in this action comedy series.

About Animation Collective

Animation Collective (www.animationcollective.com) is the largest animation studio in New York with more original series in production than any other animation studio in the world.  The company is a leader in creating children’s programming for television, the Internet, home video and other platforms. Larry Schwarz is the creator and executive producer of all of Animation Collective’s original television series including Kappa Mikey – Nickelodeon’s first ever global acquisition, recently picked up for a second season – Thumb Wrestling Federation: TWF, Leader Dog, and Tortellini Western for Nicktoons Network and Ellen’s Acres and HTDT for Cartoon Network. In addition, Schwarz served as producer of Wulin Warriors for Cartoon Network and the first season of The Incredible Crash Dummies for 4KidsTV. Animation Collective is the largest provider of original content for KOL, America Online’s kids channel and Red, its teen channel.

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