Magi-Nation Animated Series coming to television by
Kit
Thursday, June 27, 2002
Co-Venture with Keller Productions and Pastis Television International will create original cartoon series based on Magi-Nation’s fantasy premise
Interactive Imagination Corporation, a Seattle based entertainment development company, today announced that it has signed an agreement to create an animated television series based on its Magi-Nation franchise. The project is a joint venture between Interactive Imagination and well-known children’s programming producers Keller Productions and Pastis Television International. Interactive Imagination and its co-production partners will develop and distribute a minimum of 26 episodes, with the series expected to air in the US by Fall 2003.
Based on an original franchise developed by Interactive Imagination, Magi-Nation is a unique and immersive universe filled with imaginative creatures, mystical spells and amazing journeys. The series began with Magi-Nation Duel, a collectible card game that became an instant top 5 best-seller, and has since grown with periodic releases of card game expansions and a popular video game for Nintendo Game Boy Color. The animated series continues the expansion of the franchise, which Interactive Imagination’s multi-tiered marketing strategy will grow with card game expansions, additional video games, novels, toys, comic books, educational workbooks, Web sites and on-line games.
“We created Magi-Nation as a premise designed to be accessible by fantasy fans of all ages, offering a concept that fills the void for those turned off by the childish nature or complex play found in other series,” said Rich Silveira, CEO of Interactive Imagination. “Magi-Nation incorporates the most successful components of the fantasy genre, and infuses distinct elements of Western mythology to create an exceptional and engrossing storyline.”
Magi-Nation is not just a story, it is an entire fantasy world filled with magic and adventure. The Moonlands of Magi-Nation were created using the infinite powers of the mind and imagination. The inhabitants of Magi-Nation can take their dreams and craft them into vast and fantastical realities, creating spectacular Dream Creatures and magical artifacts. However, as is the balance in all places, there is a mighty struggle between good and evil, light and shadows. The Magi-Nation animated series tells the tale of an ancient evil that has returned to conquer the peaceful Moonlands, and the young stranger who is thrust into the role of unwilling hero to help save the inhabitants of Magi-Nation. .
“Magi-Nation presents a wonderful backdrop for an animated series,” said Eytan Keller of Keller Productions. “The series will incorporate the stunning artwork created by Interactive Imagination’s talented artists and expand on the unique premise developed by their creative team. It has been a while since I’ve seen so compelling a property that has it all, from depth of story and strikingly memorable characters to a powerful visual style. It’s a privilege and a professional pleasure to have the opportunity to translate this vision into the world of animation.”
Co-creating the Magi-Nation animated series with Interactive Imagination, Keller Productions and Pastis Television International both have a history of success in developing and distributing children’s television programming.
Keller Productions is owned by multiple Emmy Award-winning creator, executive producer and director Eytan Keller, who most recently served as executive vice president of alternative programming and specials for Fox Family Channel. Keller Productions has handled all television development and production for Goldwyn Entertainment, including the Emmy winner “Secrets of the Cryptkeeper’s Haunted House”, which Mr. Keller created, executive produced and directed. The highly rated and acclaimed series was internationally recognized for its pioneering use of virtual reality sets and real-time animation.
Pastis Television International is owned by animation and children’s programming veterans Sam Ewing and Jean-Luc Silbereis. Mr. Ewing, most recently vice president of international co-productions and acquisitions at Saban International, has collaborated with Saban International Paris on co-productions of numerous high-profile animation projects, as well as acquired European-produced shows for Fox Kid’s Network. He has been a development executive at notable animation companies, including Hanna-Barbera, and has also served as a children’s programming executive at NBC. Mr. Silbereis is president and cofounder of Logos France and president of Palm Tree Films in the U.S. He has organized a multitude of co-production deals between the U.S. and Europe, and was president of SEPP, the company that produced the long-running Smurfs series with Hanna-Barbera. Mr. Silbereis participated in the worldwide licensing, music and merchandising success of the Smurfs and the franchise’s distribution in more than 140 countries worldwide.
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