Tuesday, February 16, 2016

"Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir" Greenlit For Second And Third Seasons; Moving To New Timeslot On Nickelodeon USA

Jeremy Zag, the founder of Zag Entertainment, has announced the exciting news in a post on his official Instagram profile page, @Jeremy_Zag, that Zag and Toei Animation's popular CG-animated Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir television series has been renewed for two more seasons! The announcement was made on 20th November 2015.


Thomas Astruc, the creator and director of Miraculous, Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, has revealed that both new seasons - season two and season three - will each feature 26 episodes, and will feature story arcs.

Additionally, Zap2it TV Listings is reporting that beginning Sunday 21st February 2016, brand-new episodes of Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir premiere every Sunday at the new time of 7:00pm ET/PT on Nick USA.

The 3D CG Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir series debuted in South Korea in September 2015, before premiering in the United States on Nickelodeon on December 6. The series is also airing in France and Australia, and will premiere in Canada, New Zealand, EMEA, Latin America, Italy, Brazil, Belgium, Switzerland, and Lithuania.

The 26-episode series follows two junior high students, Marinette and Adrien, chosen to save Paris from the evil doings of a mysterious super-villain. The storylines and adventures are rich with friends, family, fun, secret identity, transformation, villains, fashion, creativity and more, all within the spectacular backdrop of Paris.


As secret identity superheroes Ladybug and Cat Noir, Marinette and Adrien must balance the crazy antics of normal teen life while stopping weekly baddies deployed by Hawk Moth to steal their powers and take over the world. With the help of their magical kwami, Tikki and Plagg, and miraculous jewels, the duo transform into their alter egos, Ladybug and Cat Noir, and are granted powers of speed, strength, agility and a clear mind.

The series is a co-production between Zag, Method Animation, Toei Animation, and SamG, with the participation of TF1, Disney Channel EMEA, SK Broadband, and AB droits audiovisuels.

Zag Entertainment, Toei Animation, and Method Animation co-produced a 2D-animated promotional video for the project announcement before relaunching it as a CG-animated series. Zag and Toei Animation are co-producing a 2D-animated OVA for the series, though it will include Cat Noir's design from the 3D CG-animated series, not the older design used in the promotional video.


Bandai America unveiled its brand-new Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir toy line at the 2016 North American International Toy Fair. Targeted to girls ages 4-8, the Miraculous toy line is set to launch this Fall/Autumn at mass and specialty retailers across the world. Shout! Factory has also announced plans to release Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir on home video in North America later this year.

Targeted to girls ages 4-8, the Miraculous toy line will feature a robust assortment of toys centered on aspirational action play, transformation and friendship, including action dolls for girls, transformational role play, plush pets and fashion dolls, guaranteed to bring the Miraculous Ladybug brand to life. The range is set to launch this Fall/Autumn at mass and specialty retailers across the world.

Sources: ToonZone Forums member kanc, Miraculous Ladybug Wiki.
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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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