Monday, February 15, 2016

Interview With Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz, Creator Of Nickelodeon's "Shimmer and Shine"

The local news website Examiner.com has unveiled a fantastic interview with Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz, the creator of Nickelodeon's hit CG-animated preschool series "Shimmer and Shine", in which she talks about working on her popular Nickelodeon show, and what fans can expect to see in the recently greenlit second season of "Shimmer and Shine", scheduled to debut on Nickelodeon USA in June 2016!:

"I love sparkly things, art and fashion so working on "Shimmer and Shine" has been a dream for me," Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz, the show's creator, stated during a recent phone interview.


Farnaz has always loved creating things and grew up enjoying shows like "I Dream of Genie". She has worked with Nickelodeon for several years, having been inspired to create animation since seeing "Toy Story" whilst in high school, Farnaz became a NICKtern for Nickelodeon right out of Cal State college and subsequently went on to land a full time job with the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families. Since then, she has worked on several shows, leading up to her first broadcast concept, "Shimmer and Shine".

"The idea for "Shimmer and Shine" came from brainstorming sessions where we sought to find shows about resilience," Farnaz explained. "We also did research about what children respond to. Personally, I love glitter and genies as does my little girl. I used those interests to develop the show." Even though she created the show, she has a dedicated team of writers who pen the episodes, which have received rave reviews from parents and kids alike since the show launched on Nickelodeon USA in August 2015.


(Graphic: Business Wire)

"Shimmer and Shine" takes place in a unique and highly imaginative world that requires the writers to think up original languages, creatures and landscape. The mythology of the genie culture is due to be explored deeper in season two, something that Farnaz hopes will make the show even more appealing for viewers. She stated, "We want to show how the magic works in the genie world and explain a little more about where they come from. There will also be way more genie characters in season two! We want to make kids really believe in that world and willingly embrace it."

Farnaz readily admits that the best part of working in children's media is seeing the effect her content has on children. "I love googling "Shimmer and Shine" and seeing videos and photos of children interacting with my characters. It's so rewarding to see them responding so well to something we've created. It's wonderful to be able to spread that kind of joy."

In ten years, Farnaz hopes to still be working in children's media, perhaps even create a second show. "I want to keep growing and learning and finding ways to entertain people - and finding ways to dig deeper into the dynamics of "Shimmer and Shine" is definitely what I want to focus on now."


Shimmer & Shine Pictured: (L-R) Nahal, Shine, Shimmer and Tala in new animated preschool series, Shimmer & Shine, coming to Nickelodeon in 2015. Photo Credit: Nickelodeon. ©2014 Viacom International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

When asked about what advice she would give to those aspiring to enter the children's animation industry, Farnaz stated matter-of-factly, "Be willing to start at the bottom and work your way up. You will not start at the top and you will need to be willing to do menial tasks at first. Stay humble, soak up as much knowledge as you can and treat everyone with kindness. If you do all that and are good at your job then you are very likely to do well."

In season two, twin genies-in-training Shimmer and Shine will embark on more magical adventures with their human best friend Leah, encounter brand-new characters and explore vibrant new locales in the land of Zahramay Falls. "Shimmer and Shine" features a social-emotional curriculum highlighting the importance of teamwork, resilience and overcoming obstacles.

New season one premieres of "Shimmer and Shine" will continue to air on Nick USA throughout February and March 2016.

"Shimmer and Shine" currently ranks #1 in its timeslot and airs regularly weekdays at 11am (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon USA, which is the top network for preschoolers and kids 2-11.


The second season of "Shimmer and Shine" will introduce new characters, including Zeta (voiced by Lacey Chabert, "Party of Five", "Mean Girls"), a power-hungry sorceress who uses potions and spells to scheme against the genies; Nazboo, Zeta's loyal pet dragon; Samira, a kind genie princess; Roya, Samira's beautiful pet peacock; and Kaz, Zac's new genie and friend. The new episodes feature CG animation and will be set entirely in the genie world of Zahramay Falls.


Shimmer and Shine at Toy Fair 2016.

In the toy aisle, Nickelodeon and Fisher-Price, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc., debuted the first-ever "Shimmer and Shine" line at this year's New York Toy Fair. The collection includes basic and deluxe doll assortment and accessories; feature dolls such as Shimmer and Shine Wish & Spin and Shimmer and Shine Magic Flying Carpet. Products will be available in stores across the USA in July 2016, and in the UK from Autumn/Winter 2016.


Nickelodeon's "Shimmer and Shine" Enchanted Carpet Ride app, inspired by the series, helps preschoolers with basic math concepts, shapes, patterns and symmetry, all while taking a magic carpet ride through the land of Zahramay Falls. The app is available now on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. At launch, the app ranked #2 overall in the Educational Apps category on iTunes and in the top 10 Overall in the U.S.

"Shimmer and Shine" is produced at Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, California.
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Nickelodeon Greece Debuts "Little Charmers"

It's time to Sparkle Up! Nickelodeon Greece has announced the magical news on their official website that Nickelodeon Greece started to premiere and show "Little Charmers", a brand-new animated preschool series that celebrates the magic of friendship, every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20am on Saturday 13th February 2016!


"Little Charmers" is an brand-new animated series for pre-schoolers produced by Nelvana Enterprises and Spin Master Entertainment ("PAW Patrol") featuring charmer-in-training, Hazel, and her two best friend charmers, Posie and Lavender, who are getting a broom handle on their special powers.

On any given day in the magical land of Charmville, these novice charmers are excited to break in their magical powers and go on exciting adventures led by fearless go-getter Hazel. She knows while in training she should only use her magic for really important things, but it's just too hard NOT to use magic to go on a cool adventure, help someone, fix something, or just have fun...even when it backfires, which it often does.


Luckily, Hazel has Posie, an apprentice Spellerina and Lavender, who is training to be a Potionista (mixer of magic potions with a fashion flare) to back her up. Together these Little Charmers make their way in the world of wonderment around them. No matter what their fantastical day brings, like accidentally setting loose a herd of unicorns, or teaching a baby dragon to fly, it still always comes down to friendship, learning about yourself and having fun along the way.

"Little Charmers" empowers viewers to feel confident they too have the magic inside (power, talents, abilities, self-esteem, confidence) and can do anything they set their hearts and minds to.


Little Charmers L-R: Lavender, Hazel and Posie

To celebrate Nickelodeon Greece debuting "Little Charmers" on Saturday 13th February 2016, nickelodeon.gr has launched the channels' official "Little Charmers" show website, which features information about Nick's brand-new preschool series!
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New Sneak Peek From Brand-New "SpongeBob SquarePants" Episode "SpongeBob LongPants", Premiering 2/15 On Nickelodeon USA

To celebrate Nickelodeon USA premiering the brand-new "SpongeBob SquarePants" episode "SpongeBob LongPants"/"Larry's Gym" (#195) on tonight at 7:00pm ET/PT, Nick USA has unveiled a Sponge-Tastic new sneak peek preview from the all-new "SpongeBob SquarePants" episode "SpongeBob LongPants", which you can watch in the super online streaming video clip here on Nick.com!


In the all-new episode "SpongeBob LongPants", when SpongeBob gets a pair of long pants, they change his life in unexpected ways! (You can call him SpongeRobert!) Then, in "Larry's Gym", when Larry the Lobster opens a new gym in Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob becomes his best customer! In Nick's all-new sneak peek from "SpongeBob LongPants", Mr. Krabs feels that SpongeBob is too good for the kitchen now that he has long pants!
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eOne Announces New Roster Of "Peppa Pig" Licensees For USA

Entertainment One (eOne), the international entertainment company behind the mega hit preschool property "Peppa Pig", has signed deals with seven new licensing partners in a range of categories!


Colorforms (re-stickable activity sets), FAB Starpoint (ceramics), Galerie USA (chocolate), Kurt Adler (Christmas ornaments, stockings and light sets), Marmont Hill (printed artwork), Montco (corrugated arts and crafts) and Parragon (coloring and activity books) have all signed on as the latest licensees in the US. In addition, master toy licensee Jazwares is expanding its "Peppa Pig" range for 2016 with new plush toys, playsets and figures.


Among the new offerings from Jazwares are the Peppa Pig's Picnic Trip (with Red Car) and House construction sets. The company will also release the Muddy Puddles Family Pack, which features three-inch figures with moveable arms and legs.

"The new introductions for 2016 greatly expand our "Peppa" offerings across multiple new categories, providing exciting new ways for children to connect with the property and its lovable characters," said Joan Grasso, the Vice President (VP) of licensing for North America at eOne Family. "We're thrilled to be working with these best-in-class companies that will help us grow the "Peppa" brand for many years to come. And we're delighted about the latest introductions from Jazwares, which has assembled a broad collection of must-have toys that continue to engage "Peppa" fans across the U.S."

Each of the licensees will showcase their offerings at New York Toy Fair 2016.

"Peppa Pig" is a global entertainment brand with more than 700 licensees worldwide. The show airs in 180-plus territories, including Nick Jr. UK & Ireland, Nick Jr. USA and Nick Jr. Channel Australia & New Zealand, and has been translated in more than 40 languages.

Sources: Licensing.biz, License! Global, World Screen.
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Silvergate Media Producing Brand-New Show For Nickelodeon

Silvergate Media, a international TV production and licensing company focused on pre-school children's entertainment based in New York and London and the co-producer of Nickelodeon's popular CG-animated preschool series "Peter Rabbit", has announced the exciting news in a press release that they are currently in pre-production on a brand-new show for Nickelodeon!


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Nickelodeon UK To Premiere Brand-New "Henry Danger" And "Game Shakers" On Friday 19th February 2016

It's All-New All-Nick this Friday on Nickelodeon UK!

Nickelodeon UK, the number one commercial kids TV network in the UK, and the online British and Irish TV guides website Radio Times have announced the exciting Nick UK news that Nickelodeon UK and Ireland/HD will be premiering the brand-new hour-long "Henry Danger" special "One Henry, Three Girls" and the brand-new "Game Shakers" episode "Party Crashers" on Friday 19th February 2016!


In "One Henry, Three Girls: Part 1" at 4:30pm, Charlotte (Riele Downs) discovers that Henry (Jace Norman) still has feelings for Veronica (Madison Iseman) when he keeps his options of being Bianca's (Maeve Tomalty) boyfriend open. He soon starts to get jealous when he sees Bianca with a new student named Blake (Braeden Carl). A grandmother labeled as the Mad Granny is terrorizing Captain Man (Cooper Barnes) at public appearances such as the first public bathroom opening hosted by Vice Mayor Willard. While Kid Danger tries to break up with Veronica, the police arrive and arrest her when it turns out she was the Mad Granny upon finding the outfit in her backpack. Veronica's claim for the attack was for the Wall Dogs ending up in jail. At the end of the episode, when Henry is expecting Bianca, he is suddenly visited by Chloe (Jade Pettyjohn, Nickelodeon's upcoming brand-new show "School Of Rock").


Then, in "One Henry, Three Girls: Part 2" at 5:00pm, due to the return of Chloe Hartman complicating his rekindling of his relationship with Bianca, Henry learns that Chloe wants Kid Danger to appear at the upcoming Meat Ball so that she can get "Kids in the Woods" renewed for a second season. When Captain Man's plan doesn't go according to plan, Kid Danger is forced to make a dramatic decision on his next move!


And then, in the brand-new "Game Shakers" episode "Party Crashers" at 5:30pm, Babe (Cree Cicchino) and Kenzie's (Madisyn Shipman) plans to hang with Mason (Tanner Buchanan) are ruined when Bunny (Bubba Ganter) and Ruthless (Sheldon Bailey) crash a birthday party. Meanwhile, Dub (Kel Mitchell) uses Hudson (Thomas Kuc) to make Trip jealous when Trip (Benjamin Lil P-Nut" Flores, Jr.) chooses work over hanging out with him!

Additional sources: Wikipedia, IMDb, Henry Danger Wiki.
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Highlights From Nickelodeon Netherlands' "Ghost Rockers" Fan Event In Amsterdam

On Saturday 13th February 2016, the band from Nickelodeon Netherlands' (Nederland) hit show "Ghost Rockers" performed live for the first time in Amsterdam and met some of their biggest fans to celebrate the release of their brand-new album, "De Beat"! Check out some of the highlights from Nickelodeon's fantastic "Ghost Rockers" fan event below!:



Op zaterdag 13 februari 2016 speelden de Ghost Rockers voor het eerst in Nederland op de Nickelodeon fandag! In Amsterdam stond het Nickelodeon pand stond deze dag op z'n kop! Bekijk hier de Aftermovie.

Check out Nickelodeon.nl for more super "Ghost Rockers" video clips!
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Jordan & Perri Play Code-It! - Nickelodeon UK

Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely get hands on with Nickelodeon's interactive coding experience, Code-It! You can play Code-It and make your own animations right now at nick.co.uk/_/code-it!:


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Patrick-Man! - SpongeBob SquarePants

Patrick Star gets jealous of SpongeBob's career so decides to pursue his own ventures as Patrick-Man!:



Watch more SpongeBob SquarePants on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons!
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"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Season 4 Theme Song (Italian Version)

Check out the all new opening titles for season 4 of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in Italian with this Turtley Awesome video! Tune into brand-new episodes of Tartarughe Ninja stagione quattro from Monday 22nd February 2016 on Nickelodeon Italy (Italia)!:


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Totes Magoat Interviews "The Thundermans" Star Kira Kosarin (German Version)

Everybody's favourite late-night Goat gets the entire scoop on Die Thundermans star Kira Kosarin in this very interesting episode of Nickelodeon's The Totes Magoats Show (in German)!:



Watch more The Thundermans on Nickelodeon and TeenNick!
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Nickelodeon USA To Premiere Brand-New "ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks" Episodes From 3/7

UPDATE (2/23): TheFutonCritic.com is reporting that Nickelodeon USA will start to premiere and show more brand-new episodes of "ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks", including all-new episodes from season 2, weekdays at 5pm ET/PT from Monday 7th March 2016!

Zap2it TV Listings is reporting the exciting news that Nickelodeon USA will start to premiere and show "ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks" season 2 on Saturday 5th March 2016, beginning with the episode "Dog Days"; "Dragon Dad"!


In "Dog Days", when the chipmunks take in a stray Dog, they are forced to keep the Puppy hidden from Dave, who will not allow pets; Then, in "Dragon Dad", Theodore orders a Dragon egg in the hopes of it hatching into a real Dragon!

Below is a list of currently announced episodes set to debut on Nick USA in March 2016:

Monday 7th March 2016 - Art For Art's Sake (#125A)
Tuesday 8th March 2016 - Mancave (#125B)
Wednesday 9th March 2016 - Dog Days (#201A)
Thursday 10th March 2016 - Dragon Dad (#201B)
Friday 11th March 2016 - Wax Dave (#202A)

* Corrected day, big thanks to Stud Masta Flex for letting me know!

Sources: ToonZone Forums members D-nice is the man and Aparent, Alvin and the Chipmunks Wiki.
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Nickelodeon News Bytes - Monday 15th February 2016

NickALive!'s pick of Nickelodeon News from around the internet!

Make it Pop’s XO-IQ - Put It All Together (Official Audio + Lyrics)

Just in time for Valentine's Day - The XO-IQ vs L3 EP is now available on iTunes! Re-live your favorite Band Blast moments as XO-IQ faces off against rival L3 in Nickelodeon's hit TV series Make it Pop! The XO-IQ vs L3 EP features 4 heart-swooning songs including "I promise you that" and "No Way!" Download now: http://radi.al/XOIQvsL3iTunes:



Sing Along - "PUT IT ALL TOGETHER" LYRICS:

ALL
(INTRO)
Ooo
Oooo
Oooo
Put it all together
Ooo
Oooo
When we work together
We put it together don't we

CORKI
(VERSE1)
You plus me, chasing that beat
1 2 3, quick on our feet
Soon they'll see how good we goin do it up

JODI
Upside down, Talk of the town
Lost and found, Makin our Rounds
Click click sound, don't you dare interrupt

SUN HI
(PRE-CHORUS)
Picking up the pieces
Of a picture perfect puzzle
Pixelating up on the screen

ALL
(CHORUS)
We put it all Together
When we work together
We put it all together
When we get em, like

Ooh Ooh
Put it all together
When we work together
We put it all together
When we work together

(DANCE BREAK)

(RAP VERSE2)
JODI
Hey wussup, hit you later
Movin smooth, operator

SUN HI
We got too much to do
Got too much to prove
No time for no haters

ALL
K Like

CORKI
Who's those girls up there
High def stop and stare
Think it's time that we bout to shine, when we on the picture player like

ALL
(CHORUS)
We put it all Together
When we work together
We put it all together
When we get em, like

Put it all together
When we work together
We put it all together
When we work together

You plus me
1-2-3
Soon they'll see
Upside down
Lost and found
Click Click sound

ALL
(OUTRO)
Ooo
Oooo
Oooo
Put it all together
Ooo
Oooo
When we work together
We put it together don't we

Enter Fruitocracy's exclusive Express Your Inner Pop Sweepstakes to win a trip to LA to visit the set and watch a live filming of a Nickelodeon show!

Watch every episode of Make It Pop season 2 at nick.com/makeitpop!

Download XO-IQ's latest album, "Tomorrow is Ours", available to purchase now on iTunes!
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