TINNINBEN Animation and E-Networks at the weekend launched Guyana’s first episodic animated television series, ‘Nancy’s School Daze’; a production that will be premiered on E1 from Saturday (October 01, 2016) .
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of E-Networks Vishok Persaud, speaking on Saturday (September 24, 2016) at the Premier Series launch, at the Herdmanston Lodge, Anira Street, Queenstown, said his company is proud to support the series which he deemed a “world-class product”.
Persaud said the locally-produced animated show need “the biggest possible audience” and his company’s vision is to ensure it becomes popular in the Caribbean and the North American diaspora which comprises some 30 – 35 percent of E-Network’s audiences.
Persaud assured the audience which included Social Protection Minister, Volda Lawrence and Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin that efforts in the creative industry here will “mature with time”. He said Guyanese must have “national pride and patriotism to encourage ( the growth of local) products.”
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED), Mr Ramesh Persaud admitted that his agency “had to take a chance” funding Tinninben’s production notwithstanding existing uncertainties in the local animation sector.
“You can’t wait for things to be perfect,” the pragmatic Persaud said.
IPED has set aside some US$250,000 (G$50M) to back initiatives in Guyana’s emerging creative industry sector.
He said while there is “still room for additional sponsors” to support local animation production he is trusting that TINNINBEN pioneering efforts will pave the way for animation in Guyana to become financially viable.
Tinninben’s CEO, Mr T. Alex Graham got wind of the available funding and approached the company for support even though local “financiers don’t get involved in these types of models” Persaud said.
Minister of Business and Tourism, Dominic Gaskin recommended taking deliberate steps to diversify the economy because of endless opportunities in the global market and converging digital technology with local creativity.
Opportunities abound, especially for enterprising youths, Gaskin said, however, “opportunities need strategies” for maximum economic benefits. There are cultural benefits too to be derived from the local animation production, the Minister said, which if managed the right way, can help promote Guyanese culture overseas.
Tinninben has a similar belief, its CEO Alex Graham said.
“Our ultimate goal…is to mine our rich history, culture, and storytelling traditions in order to create and produce unique stories told in distinctively Guyanese (and the Caribbean) way and that allows us to tackle global problems from a local perspective that is of value to the world,” said Graham.
“The size of the global animation industry is approaching US$300 billion. The major animation markets include the United States, Canada, Japan, China, France, Britain, Korea and Germany. Most of the segments in the animation industry are growing at the rate of 7% Year on Year,” he noted.
He added that the demand for animated entertainment has expanded with the increase in broadcasting hours by cable and satellite TV along with the growing popularity of the ubiquitous Internet. “In the past, animation series were aimed at children aged nine and below. Now, TV stations have been producing animation series for teenagers, adults and the whole family. This is serious business” Graham said.
‘Nancy’s School Daze’ is an episodic animated television series in which the lead character and her class-mates faceoff with a school gang comprising older male students. Nancy’s wit and brilliance help them“stay one step ahead of trouble and be successful at their school work. Along the way they confront the personal struggles of adolescence, the group struggles of teamwork and leadership, and the ugly social issues of peer-pressure, bullying, violence (and) abuse.”
The first in the series will be released on Saturday (on E1) and continue with a new episode every two weeks until the season ends in May 2017. That should give us about 12 episodes in season 1, Graham promised.
