Hong Kong – Turner Broadcasting has greenlit a new co-production with Synergy Media and Studio Goindol, marking the network’s biggest ever animation project in Korea.
The series – entitled Beat Monsters – is a comedy starring alien monsters from outer space on the lookout for the ultimate beat. There will be 52×2’ shorts and additional micro-shorts. Each episode will fuse live-action footage and CGI animation techniques to create a rich and colourful environment.
“These fun and fresh shorts are exactly what we’re looking for as part of our International Shorts Program,” said Mark Eyers, Chief Content Officer for Turner’s Kids Networks in Asia Pacific. “Turner has made a firm commitment to generating and supporting the production of original comedy animation right around the world – and we’re really pleased to find a likeminded and globally-focused partner in Korea. When it launches, Beat Monsters will deliver world-class laughs around the world from London to Lagos, and Madrid to Manila.”
Beat Monsters is expected to air in late 2016 on Turner’s portfolio of kids’ channels in Asia Pacific including Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Toonami, as well as on Cartoon Network in EMEA. The project is under development with the assistance from Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) and, in 2014, the pilot short was named ‘Best-in-Show’ at the Asian Animation Summit.
Eugene Kang, President of Synergy Media, said: “To partner with Turner and have exposure for our IP across millions of households is a real boon for us. I am really happy to see humorous Asian ideas go global, and hope that this is just the first of many projects and co-productions that Turner and Synergy will be able to work on together.”
“Beat Monsters is so hilarious and we can’t wait to start production,” added Jeong-soo Hur, President of Studio Goindol and Director of Beat Monsters. “We have high hopes for this bunch of crazy and adorable alien characters, and we will soon get to meet these guys in real life. It is inspiring for us that Beat Monsters fits perfectly with Turner, and I hope that our little guys make a huge impact as a result of this cooperation.”
Turner Asia Pacific is currently working with studios and animators to produce original shorts and micro-shorts in Singapore, Taiwan, India, Australia, the US and Japan. There is an increase in demand for short-form content, not only on Turner’s linear channels, but also for its multi-platform services and apps such as Cartoon Network Anything and Cartoon Network Watch and Play.
