Tinga Tinga Tales

ORIGIN: The series was created by Claudia Lloyd, the head of animation and children’s programming at Tiger Aspect Productions. Lloyd’s previous credits include the BAFTA Award-winning Charlie and Lola, Animated Mr. Bean and Comic Relief. Lloyd first fell in love with the Tingatinga art style and animal creation stories whilst traveling through East Africa. She was then inspired to create Tinga Tinga Tales, which will entertain children around the world with vibrant animal stories. Tiger Aspect and Homeboyz Entertainment then built the first fully equipped animation and sound studio in Nairobi, Kenya. They have trained and now employ over 50 people working in all areas of the production: scripting, editing, design, animation, sound and music. All the artwork is hand painted by Tingatinga artists in the Nairobi studio and then scanned into the computer and designed into component parts that can in turn be animated using CelAction2D software.

DISTRIBUTOR: Classic Media manages worldwide distribution across all media.

CREATOR: Claudia Lloyd

TV SHOW: 52×11-minute episodes produced in 2D Cel-Action

DESCRIPTION: You may think you know the reason why Elephant has a long trunk, or why Tortoise has a broken shell, but actually, the reason for each is a whole other story! Created for a global audience of 3- to 6-year-olds, Tinga Tinga Tales is an all-new animated preschool series inspired by traditional African folktales and the Tingatinga art of Tanzania. Based upon animal creation stories from all over the African continent, Tinga Tinga Tales brings to life made-up tales of how your favorite animals came to be the way they are today—opening up a fantastical world of color, characters and transformation. Produced entirely on location in Nairobi, Kenya, by Tiger Aspect Productions, the show draws upon the inspiring talent of local artists and musicians.

It’s a world of stripes and spots, rainbows and patterns. A world where humans don’t exist and animals live by their own rules. A world of myth, legend and friendship. A world where you can fly too close to the sun, jump off clouds, and summon musical storms; where you can sing and dance with the dawn chorus, or fall asleep under the stars. A magical world where animals transform before your very eyes! Each episode tells the fantastical story of how a particular animal came to be—Why Crocodile has a Bumpy Back or Zebra Has Stripes—but ‘The Big Six’ form the heart of the animal community in Tinga Tinga Tales. They are Monkey, Tortoise, Elephant, Hippo, Tickbird and Lion.

There is nothing more important than community and friendship in Tinga Tinga Tales. There are good animals and bad animals, grumpy animals and patient animals, water animals and land animals, tall animals, short animals, loud animals and shy animals—but they all have their role to play. Big personalities for big characters, running jokes, catchphrases, vibrant visuals and lots of music!

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Claudia Lloyd

COMMISSIONING BROADCASTER: CBeebies (U.K.)

TV SALES: Playhouse Disney in the U.S., Rai 3 in Italy, Cineplex in Thailand, Canal Panda in Portugal, France 5 in France, SVT in Sweden, 1NRK in Norway, ABC in Australia, RTE in Ireland, Playhouse Disney in Puerto Rico, YLE in Finland, MiniMini in Poland, Baraem TV in Middle East and Hop! TV in Israel.

MAJOR TOY LICENSEES: Bandai is master toy licensee for the brand. Fall 2010 saw the soft launch of Bandai’s toy range within the U.K., including plush and plastic lines, supported by TV advertising. The full launch will take place from Spring 2011, with key international territories to follow. 

OTHER PRODUCTS: Penguin Group is global publishing partner for Tinga Tinga Tales and Universal is onboard for DVD. In the U.K., the leading market for the brand, there are already 20-plus licensees onboard across categories including, games & puzzles, party wear, wheeled, apparel and accessories, bedding and seasonal confectionary.

STRATEGY FOR ROLLOUT: Classic Media has global ambitions for Tinga Tinga Tales and has already secured premium broadcast partners in key territories across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Toy and publishing launches will roll out internationally in 2011. Two key agencies are onboard to represent Tinga Tinga Tales across Europe: CPLG will manage Western Europe and Kidz Entertainment will manage Central and Eastern Europe along with the Nordics.

To watch a clip of Tinga Tinga Tales, please click here.