DQ Entertainment

September 23, 2009 World Screen
Tapaas Chakravarti  
Chairman
 
 

What are some of your top properties for MIPCOM?

 

The Jungle Book, an action-adventure drama and comedy series, age group 6 to 9; Lassie, an animated series on the legendary collie dog in co-production with Classic Media, supported by ZDF, Germany and many more partners; Toomai, The Elephant Boy, a live-action TV series in development; Tara Duncan, a high-end animated series based on the famous book Tara Duncan,written by Sophie Audouin-Mamikonian, in co-production with MoonScoop and M6 of France; and Iron Man, a high-end CGI series. Season one is completed in co-production with Marvel, Method Films, France 3 and sold well to Nicktoons and Cartoon Network worldwide. 
 
 

Why will these programs appeal to buyers?

 

If you notice all the properties are iconic brands which have made a huge impact on viewers for generations and have been welcomed by the broadcasters, distributors and licensers with open arms. Makes great commercial sense.
 
I am happy to mention that The Jungle Book has been sold worldwide for TV and great traction is generated for publishing and home entertainment including consumer products, while, we launch the first episode in a gala opening during MIPCOM.
 
Toomai, the Elephant Boy, a live-action TV series based on the famous works of Rudyard Kipling, which first appeared as a TV series in early ’70s with a resounding success worldwide, is now being produced by us for 21st century audiences. With live-action shooting done with multinational casts and beautiful elephants in Kerala, India, famously known as "Gods Own Country" with 1500 kms of internal canals, lush rain forests and surrounded by the sea on two sides. An ideal location for shooting this beautiful story and bring it out to the world to watch and enjoy.
 
Lassie, the legendary collie dog, after its successful decades of run on live-action movies with Elizabeth Taylor to Peter O’Toole and 19 seasons of TV series now goes live again on high-end CGI/ 3-D treatment with this brand new adaptation in co-production with Classic Media supported by world-class broadcasters.
 
Similarly, Iron man is a no-brainer with its multi-million dollar success so far. We are proud to be a co-producer as the entire series is produced at our studio while we market it worldwide along with Method Films and the Marvel group.
 
 
 

What are some of the trends you’re currently seeing in this market?

 

Increasing use of high-end CGI and VFX is a stark trend in the market. Recent theatrical features such as GI-Joe, Transformers 2, Terminators, Up, Bolt have very high-end computer animation and the bar is being raised with almost every new production.
 
From an economic perspective, the recent recessionary trends have impacted all alike and producers are facing the long and daunting obstacle race to bring their works to market. The high levels of risk vs. returns have to be mitigated by judicious co-productions involving partners that compliment skills sets and resources. Reliance on ‘upstream’ profits from distribution, licensing and merchandising is on an upswing for commercial viability.
 
 

What are your goals and expectations MIPCOM?

This is our tenth year of going to MIPCOM and MIPTV. This is the melting pot for worldwide TV and entertainment content producers, distributors, licensors. The most influential buyers, producers and enthusiasts meet in a great atmosphere to interact and do business. It will be lovely to meet the leaders of the industry and share with them the content that our company produces and seek their advise to do well with these and produce more.