Key animation has commenced on the first animated series to be co-produced in the Western Cape. Caillou is an official co-production between Canada’s Cookie Jar Entertainment and Clockwork Zoo in Cape Town. As one of the best-loved preschool shows in the world, this fifth season of Caillou will be the first to be produced outside of Canada.
Cookie Jar is behind some of the biggest hits in children’s entertainment, creating nearly 300 episodes annually of some of the world’s favorite shows including: Arthur, Busytown Mysteries and Johnny Test. Their library includes classics like The Doodlebops, Inspector Gadget, The Wombles and Paddington Bear and their licensing division represents such properties such as Strawberry Shortcake, Star Trek and Spiderman.
Clockwork Zoo, one of the leading animation companies in South Africa, is the creator of 104 episodes of URBO: The Adventures of Pax Afrika on SABC and is currently delivering outsource work for Welsh, French and UK companies.
The start of key animation is a momentous occasion for the growth of animation in the Western Cape and South Africa,” says Sean Rogers, MD of Clockwork Zoo and Head of Animation. “Once the animation phase is running, we will have 25 animators working to produce 26 episodes that will be seen on the top children’s broadcasters around the world. This is a great international debut for Clockwork Zoo, and for South Africa”
Caillou is being produced with the financial support of South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). “The DTI identified the animation industry as an important component of the film & television industry that has enormous potential to contribute directly to economic development in terms of employment, investment and exports,” says Karin Liebenberg, Director of the DTI’s Film and Television Incentives Unit.
“Since the new film and TV incentive was launched in February 2008 the DTI approved 6 animation productions. These productions will contribute to R120 million of investment and 388 direct jobs will be created in South Africa. We are therefore very excited about the future of the animation sector in South Africa and Clockwork Zoo is playing an important role to secure more animation work for South Africa," says Karin.
