p r e s s

‘Dream Defenders’ Brings International Exposure to Singapore’s Tiny Island Productions
- By Scott Thill (Cartoon Brew)

2nd July 2015 (Cartoon Brew) - “In the 90s, being a professional animator in Singapore could only be a dream,” Tiny Island Productions’ founder David Kwok told Cartoon Brew.

Kwok’s dream has since come true, more so now that Discover Family Channel announced it is adding Tiny Islands’ animated dimensional adventure Dream Defenders to its lineup, which is spearheaded by My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and Transformers Rescuebots.

“This is not the first exposure to Dream Defenders in United States,” Kwok told us via e-mail after Discovery’s announcement this week. “Our first was on 3net,” which has since closed, “and then followed by Hulu.”

Tiny Island Productions, one of Singapore’s largest and oldest CG animation production companies, has come a long way since “the early part of our animation industry,” Kwok said, referring to a period that was only a decade-and-a-half ago. “We wanted to build a company that allows the passionate animators in Singapore to pursue their dreams, as well as make a living out of this profession. Dream Defenders was created with this mission in mind.”

Dream Defenders follows teenage twins Zoey and Zane Mercer as they slipstream — with the help of a supercomputer named Zeus, which they find in the attic of their new home — between their new city Meridian and a fantastic dreamworld jeopardized by the villainess Icela. Discovery will announce the U.S. premiere of the 26-episode series at a later date.

“We are excited to bring this high quality CGI series from Tiny Island to the network’s robust daytime lineup,” said Discovery general manager Tom Cosgrove in a statement.

So too is Kwok, who started Singapore’s first animation association in the late 1990s and runs the training/mentorship program CG Protege Animation School, which supplies his studio with many of its production crew. After giving up a high-paying computer-aided design job in the Singaporean government in 2000, Kwok got to work building up the nation’s animation bonafides, eventually scaling up Tiny Island in 2007 and landing work on programs like Shelldon, as well as Ben 10‘s CGI telemovie, Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens, which won best 3D animated program award at the Asian Television Awards in 2012.

But Dream Defenders is Kwok’s proudest production. “I hope that Dream Defenders will do well internationally someday to defend our dream, and to bring Tiny Island onto the global stage,” he said. The studio has just finished the first Singapore/Korea CGI series co-production, G-Fighter, in collaboration with South Korea’s Electric Circus.

In this 70-minute talk, Kwok explains how he started a studio from scratch and eventually scaled up to 120 employees and original content production.

Source:
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/tv/kwok-dream-defenders-115276.html

Discovery Family Acquires Dream Defenders from Tiny Island Productions

Silver Spring, MD, 29th June 2015 - Discovery Family has acquired the US rights to the 26-episode series, DREAM DEFENDERS, from Tiny Island Productions. The series follows 14-year-old twins Zoey and Zane Mercer through their dual dimension adventures—in both the ‘Realworld’ of Meridian, and the fantastical universes of the ‘Dreamworld’. A premiere date for the series will be announced at a later date.

“Discovery Family is committed to building the very best destination for family television,” said Tom Cosgrove, general manager, Discovery Family Channel. “We are excited to bring this high quality CGI series from Tiny Island to the network’s robust daytime lineup.”

In the Realworld, Zoey and Zane have just moved to the American town of Meridian, where they uncover an exciting discovery in the attic of their new home – supercomputer ZEUS, who has opened a portal to the Dreamworld, where humans to rest and recharge. With ZEUS as their trusty sidekick, Zoey and Zane now have access to this mysterious new realm—but when something does not seem to be quite right in Meridian, the twins quickly realize the link to the evil happenings in Dreamworld. Villainess Icela and the other sinister inhabitants of Dreamworld are determined to turn dreams into nightmares, and suddenly, Zoey and Zane’s mission becomes clear. They are the DREAM DEFENDERS, two heroes who will secretly fight menacing monsters from a nightmare dimension to protect the citizens of Meridian.

In each 22-minute episode Zoey and Zane use high-tech gadgetry, teamwork and their problem solving skills to combat nightmares, and prevent Icela from finding the portal to the Realworld. Thwarting Icela’s sinister plans and zapping monsters—not to mention, surviving high school and life in a new town!—are all in a day’s work for Zoey and Zane. DREAM DEFENDERS will teach audiences to become stronger and braver, by facing your nightmares and conquering your fears!

About Discovery Family

The leading television destination for families in the United States, Discovery Family is the #1 co-viewed cable network[i] in 2015 to date. Available in nearly 70 million U.S. homes, Discovery Family is a joint venture of Discovery Communications and Hasbro, programmed with a clever mix of original series, programming from Discovery’s non-fiction library and Hasbro Studios’ popular animation franchises, including MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC, LITTLEST PET SHOP and TRANSFORMERS RESCUEBOTS.

The smart entertainment choice for families, Discovery Family attracts children and their parents with the highest-quality, real-world content that appeals to the entire family in the General Entertainment, Adventure and Animals genres at night and award-winning animation programming in Daytime.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 pay-TV programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. For 30 years Discovery has been dedicated to satisfying curiosity and entertaining viewers with high-quality content through its global television brands, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, Science and Turbo/Velocity, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Discovery controls Eurosport, the leading pan-regional sports entertainment destination across Europe and Asia-Pacific. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

Sources:
https://corporate.discovery.com/discovery-newsroom/discovery-family-acquires-dream-defenders-from-tiny-island-productions/
http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/discovery-family-nabs-dream-defenders/
http://kidscreen.com/2015/06/30/discovery-family-snaps-up-dream-defenders/
http://tbivision.com/news/2015/06/discovery-family-buys-teen-toon-drama/450442/
http://www.c21media.net/discovery-family-takes-on-defenders/
http://www.awn.com/news/discovery-family-picks-tiny-island-s-dream-defenders

Another major milestone for Dream Defender. It is now on Dreamworks TV Asia.

Another milestone for Dream Defenders. We are officially on Dreamworks TV Asia. Across 19 countries in Asia in additional to the existing 60 countries we have reached so far. The very first Singapore made IP on the channel.

The Dreamworks TV Asia network will be broadcast in Taiwan, Macao, South Korea, Laos, Burma, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Burma, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mongolia, Palau and Tahiti.

The channel will represent Dreamworks Animation’s first foray into operating its own TV network in any part of the world. HBO Asia, based in Singapore, will manage affiliate sales and marketing, as well as technical services, for the channel, with larger markets expected to launch first.

Source:
http://www.dreamworks-asia.com/shows/dream-defenders

Dream Defenders will be showing on SUPER RTL this August

GERMANY, 1st August 2014 - This August, prepare to get ready to fight your nightmares and explore fantastic dream worlds, as SuperRTL, Germany's leading children's channel, brings the award winning Dream Defenders animated series to TV screens across Germany. Renamed in Germany as Die Wächter der Träume, the show tells the story of Zane and Zoey, 2 ordinary kids who discover a mysterious supercomputer that lets them physically travel into dreams, and their adventures as they protect our world from Icela, evil Queen of Nightmares. Filled with mystery, drama, suspense and action,

Aimed at kids 6-12, the 22mins X 26 episodes TV series features incredible gadgets, unique creatures, fantastic dreamworlds, CGI by one of Singapore's top animation studios, Tiny Island Productions, who also worked on Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens. Audiences can expect humor, mystery, action and suspense as the Dream Defenders was written by some of L.A.'s top writers, who have worked on X-Men: The Animated Series.

Source:
http://www.toggo.de/serien/die-waechter-der-traeume/index-3697.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Shellhut Entertainment and Tiny Island Productions
bring Dream Defenders to Thailand Channel 3 Family

BANGKOK, 2nd July 2014 - This July, Thai audiences are in for an animation treat, as the award winning Dream Defenders animated series will finally debut on Channel 3 Family, one of Thailand's largest television network. Produced by Tiny Island Productions and distributed by Shellhut Entertainment in Thailand, this marks yet another exciting collaboration between the 2 animation companies. Shellhut Entertainment and Tiny Island Productions have previously worked together on Shelldon the TV Series, one of Thailand's most famous animated TV series which has been shown on NBC Qubo and France 5 and is now distributed by DHX Media worldwide. This time, a major campaign will be launched to distribute and publicize Dream Defenders in Thailand.

Dream Defenders tells the story of Zane and Zoey, twins who defend the real world from nightmare monsters from the Dreamworlds. Aimed at kids 6-12, the 22min x 26 episode TV series features incredible gadgets, uniquely designed creatures and fantastic dreamworlds. Fully created and produced by Tiny Island Productions, one of Singapore's top animation studios, its story credits include some of L.A.'s top writers such as Eric and Julia Lewald whose credits include the hit X-Men and Gargoyles animated series.

The show made its debut on the other side of the world in America where it premiered in stereoscopic 3D format on 3net, the 3D channel formed by Sony, Discovery and IMAX, becoming one of its top kids program. Since then, it has gone on to win the Asia Image Apollo Awards 2013 for Best 3D Animation. With Dreamworks Classics as its main distributor, it has reached out to more than 60 countries across the globe including Germany (Super RTL), Planeta Junior as well as on OTT platforms such as Hulu.

Dream Defender makes its Thailand debut on 7th July this year at Prime Time 18:00-18:30hour on Free-to-air Ch 3 Family.

About Tiny Island Productions

Tiny Island Productions has become Singapore's leading Stereoscopic 3D CG animation production company. Established in 2002 and based in cosmopolitan Singapore, the company creates, manages and markets quality content for the global CG animation market. The company had also previously worked with international distributor Classic Media (Dreamworks Classic) and Thai-based producing company, Shellhut Entertainment, on a CG animated series, Shelldon that was aired on major networks including NBC USA and France 5. One of its latest deal is Tiny Island's stereoscopic-3D CG Animated series 'Dream Defenders' to make American debut on 3net. (Joint Venture 24/ 7 3D Network from Sony, Discovery and IMAX) and on Hulu. Dream Defenders has also won the Asia Image Apollo Awards 2013 for Best 3d Animation. Other earlier deals inked include a development deal with Los-Angeles based Saban Entertainment Group (SEG), with SEG providing development resources for a CG animated series. In 2012, the company completed the all new Ben 10 CGI Telemovie in both standard and stereoscopic 3d format for Cartoon Network. The film has won the Best 3D Animated Program award at the Asian Television Awards 2012 as well as the Gold Award for Best Movie Campaign in the 2012 ProMax Awards.

In July 2013, the company has signed the first Singapore Korea co production animation deal with South Korean animation production house Electric Circus. Together they will produce the CGI action-adventure series G-Fighter (26 x 22 minutes) supported by SBA, KOCCA, EBS, SK Broadband and CJ E&M.

For further information please contact:
Tiny Island Productions – contact@tinyisland.net

http://www.tinyisland.net
http://www.dreamdefenders.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tiny Island Productions puts Singapore Animation Dreams on the world map

SINGAPORE, 20th FEB 2014 - The dreams started out as little things - to see the stories in their heads come alive, to live each day doing the things they love. These little things grew to become a quest to create something the production studio could be proud to call its own, and a quest to build an international reputation for the work that Singapore artists could produce. The successful launch of the 'Dream Defenders' series is a result of that quest, and is a showcase of the Singapore studio's production capabilities, from conceptualization to production.

Created and produced by Singapore's Tiny Island Productions, Dream Defenders is the first 3D stereoscopic animated series produced in Singapore and has garnered the Asia Image Apollo Awards 2013 for Best 3D Animation. The series is distributed by Dreamworks Classic and has been sold worldwide including the US, Europe (Central and Eastern Europe), Middle East, North Africa and Asia in both traditional and stereoscopic format. Airtime for the show has already commenced in the US on the 3Net (a joint venture of Sony Corporation, Discovery Communications, IMAX Corporation) and Hulu channels; in Korea on DaeKyo Kids TV, soon on Super RTL Germany and more scheduled international roll-outs within the year.

“It’s not just a TV show, not just “Inception” for kids. It’s also family entertainment with strong family values. It’s also about two kids who fight like all siblings do but when it comes to a crisis, they realise how important family is to them and how their busy parents really do care and worry about them which they find out when they enter into their parents’ dream worlds,” elaborates David Kwok, CEO of Tiny Island Productions.

On February 24th, MediaCorp channel, okto, in conjunction with Toggle, will launch kids into the fantastic world of Dream Defenders, an animated television series about the adventures of a pair of nightmare-fighting siblings who protect our world from the threat of Icela, evil queen of the Dreamworlds.

Through an interactive Augmented Reality event, viewers will have a chance to enter into the realm of the Dreamworlds and help the heroes of the series battle evil 'momoks' at Changi City Point from 14 - 16 March 2014. This augmented reality experience is jointly organized by Tiny Island Productions and okto.

Electric Circus and Tiny Island Co Produce G-Fighter

SOUTH KOREA, 26th July 2013- At the South Korean international animation market Seoul Promotion Plan (SPP) being held this week, South Korean animation production house Electric Circus has signed a co production deal with Singapore animation studio - Tiny Island Productions to produce the CGI action-adventure series G-Fighter (26 x 22 minutes). The animated TV series is supported by SBA, KOCCA, EBS, SK Broadband and CJ E&M.

"We have always admired Electric Circus's design works. And we are confident that the unique design of the show will make it standout in the market." - David Kwok, CEO of Tiny Island Productions.

The deal represents the first international co-production between Korea and Singapore animation companies. Both Electric Circus and Tiny Island Productions have established themselves internationally as unique and dynamic creators in the animation field. Their outstanding efforts have earned themselves recognition and many awards.

With Electric Circus's strong and unique designs and Tiny Island's high value production capabilities, the audience can expect to see an exciting series coming up at the end of 2014.

"Tiny Island Productions is one of the best 3D Animation Studios in Singapore. The synergy between the 2 companies will definitely make this co-production relationship a great success." - Wooki Kim, CEO of Electric Circus.

Dream Defenders has won Best 3d Animation at the Asia Image Apollo Awards 2013 Presentation.

SINGAPORE - 18th June 2013

Dream Defenders has won Best 3d Animation at the Asia Image Apollo Awards 2013 Presentation. Taking place on 18th June at the Marina Bay Sands held alongside BroadcastAsia. Out of 239 submissions received, 30 entries made the final cut after careful review by a panel of judges known for their extensive technical knowledge, critically acclaimed creativity, and years of experience in the media and entertainment industry. The results were tabulated and audited by international auditing firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

The Apollo Awards is an initiative aimed at honouring the best in Asia Pacific's production and post-production industries. With a jury that combines extensive technical knowledge, critically acclaimed creativity, and years of experience in the media and entertainment industry, this is the award for production and post-production artists in the Asia Pacific region.

NOT SO TINY ANY MORE
David Kwok made a bet on 3D animation that is paying off in a big way
TODAY By Francis Kan - 20 June 2013
http://www.todayonline.com/business/sme/not-so-tiny-any-more

SINGAPORE — Mr David Kwok is surrounded by the future. He juggles an Android tablet with a three-dimensional screen and a pair of 3D goggles from Sony, showing off products that are not even for sale yet.

What ties them together is the content that Mr Kwok’s animation company, Tiny Island Productions, is producing for them.

In just over six years, Tiny Island has grown from a small player to one of the leading lights in the 3D animation industry. Its shows have been broadcast on major television networks in the United States and won it international acclaim.

Last year, the firm won the inaugural Best 3D Animated Programme award for Ben 10 Destroy All Aliens at the Asian Television Awards and, just earlier this week, it snagged the best 3D animation honour at the Asia Image Apollo Awards. But it is its foray into what the 42-year-old CEO terms the “future-proof content” that will drive the company’s growth.

“If you create content just for the television or DVD market, it gets stuck there. But with new platforms, there are a lot less restrictions. We are partnering international players to produce 3D content for gadgets the world has never seen,” Mr Kwok said.

The company is currently in talks with media giants such as DreamWorks, Sony, Hasbro and Warner Bros. What landed Tiny Island in such a plum position was a gamble it took several years ago to make shows based on an emerging 3D technology that did not require glasses.

He also decided early on not to compete on price and structured his company to offer a complete solution to clients, from developing storylines and characters to production and distribution. The company now attracts private equity firms from the US willing to make multi-million-dollar bets on 3D animated shows it produces.

Growing pains

After five years working for the Government, Mr Kwok quit his job in 2000 to pursue a career in computer animation, having spent many hours after work and during the weekends learning the craft. Over the next few years, he experienced almost every aspect of the business, from being a visual effects artist to a line producer and eventually setting up a studio from scratch.

In 2007, he decided to devote himself full-time to Tiny Island, a company he had founded a few years earlier as a platform to do freelance work but had since remained dormant.

Its first breakthrough came that year, when a client in Thailand commissioned it to produce three episodes of a series called Shelldon. But before signing the deal, the client wanted to visit Tiny Island’s office, which proved a problem as everyone worked from home. The next three weeks saw Mr Kwok and his team embark on a frantic extreme makeover of a 2,000 sq ft office space on Beach Road.

“My wife and I maxed out our four credit cards to pay for everything. We bought everything from Ikea, and I painted the walls while others were laying cables,” he recalled with a chuckle. “In the end, the client came in and was impressed, so we got the deal.”

What impressed even more was the quality of the work it produced, and Tiny Island ended up doing the entire 26-episode series, which was eventually broadcast on US television network NBC. The company leveraged that success to get more work, but Mr Kwok realised that the path to the top lay in creating its own show.

That epiphany resulted in Dream Defenders, which is now the platform upon which the company plans to make its mark on the future of broadcasting. The show tells the story of twins Zane and Zoey, who defend the real world from nightmare monsters from the Dreamworlds. The 3D animated series is set to premiere on popular video streaming website Hulu next month.

To keep up with its rapid growth, Tiny Island moved to a sprawling 10,000 sq ft premises at Redhill that now houses up to 120 employees, a year after starting operations. But even that might not be sufficient. The company is negotiating a deal that, if successful, would see its staff strength surge to 250 and require a space twice the size of its current premises.

But Mr Kwok’s ambitions go beyond just the success of his own business. He started Tiny Island in part to help raise Singapore’s standing in the global animation industry. To help groom local talent, he runs an animation school that takes in four batches of between 15 and 20 students a year under the government’s Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) scheme.

Indeed, graduates from his first batch of students in 2007 were among the first employees of the company and some are now heads of departments. Around 90 per cent of his company’s employees are WSQ graduates.

“In the early days, I used to sit around the coffee shop with other animators dreaming of Singapore doing Star Wars. Now it’s coming true.”

Singapore's Dream Defenders CG Series Premieres on Hulu, Interview with Founder David Kwok

HARDWARE ZONE FEATURE ARTICLE
31 May 2013 / By Alvin Soon

http://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/feature-singapores-dream-defenders-cg-series-premieres-hulu-interview-founder-david-kwok

Dream Defenders, a made-in-Singapore production, will premiere on Hulu and Hulu Plus this summer.

Dream Defenders, a 3D animated series made by Singaporean studio Tiny Island, is going to premiere on Hulu and Hulu Plus this summer. The 26-half hour series originally aired in the US on 3net, the 3D network from Sony, Discovery and IMAX. Dream Defenders tells the story of twins Zane and Zoey, who defend the real world from nightmare monsters from the Dreamworlds.

HardwareZone sat down with David Kwok, founder and CEO of Tiny Island Productions, to talk about how the series came to be, and the challenges behind making a successful animated series.

If I’m not wrong, Dream Defenders is the first locally made animated TV series to be picked up overseas?

I think there are others, I don’t always want to use the word ‘first’, but I will say that for a stereoscopic 3d animated series we are probably the only ones in Singapore. As for the others, I’m not too sure, but I think they were co-productions. But Tiny Island is sorely owned by Singaporeans, it’s not partially owned by somebody else. And Dream Defenders is made here, from design to concept, music, everything – it’s all done here.

But the Americans are more experienced when it comes to script writing. So I have a team of fifteen LA writers, who help us write the script based on our vision. We have a very good partner in Hong Kong, SDI Media, who helps us to do all the voices. But we’re only outsourcing the work to overseas; they’re not investors in the production.

David Kwok is the founder and CEO of Tiny Island Production (image courtesy of David Kwok).

So why do you think Dream Defenders has taken off?

The look and feel of the show is very rich. The story is very unique. It’s like Inception for kids. The whole strategy about this business has evolved and changed tremendously. It’s not that it used to be non-existent, but now it plays a stronger role.

When you create intellectual property (IP), it’s not just about doing a show, finishing it, and hope it’ll be popular on its own. There’s a lot of advertising and branding to do. Your fans are your asset and you need to build your fans. Once you establish the fans, then we can talk about the money.

So creating IP is a long process, it’s almost like a building project. You take five years to build a building and try to market it, and the money will come in the next five to ten years. You have to be persistent and you need to map out a strategy. You cannot just do a TV series for the sake of doing a TV series.

"So creating IP is a long process, it’s almost like a building project. You take five years to build a building and try to market it, and the money will come in the next five to ten years."

There’s a strategy behind what we did for Dream Defenders. Everything designed in the show has a reason. For example, because Dream Defenders is already in stereoscopic 3D, I can make it into an interactive 3D e-book, where you see things flying out of the screen without wearing glasses. You can also do games. That’s just an example, but what I’m saying is that whatever you do in the show, even before you start production, you must already have thought this through.

The other strategy of ours is that we don’t just limit ourselves to TV. That’s why we talk to a lot of technologists. With the help of 3net, Dream Defenders can be downloaded onto the Nintendo 3D, and you can watch it in 3D without glasses. We recently worked with Nanoveu, where you can put a screen protector over a mobile device and transform your gadget into a 3D player. Because that’s one of our strengths and we see glasses-free 3D growing.

What made you want to start your own animation studio?

I worked for the government for five years, but 3D animation was always my passion. At that time I met quite a lot of pioneers who are doing well today; but then they were pursuing dreams that they didn’t even know would happen. When I met them I was very inspired, so I started to learn 3D on my own at home, every night after work. I then started as a visual effects artist, and then I became a technical director and eventually a line producer.

All along, I was never interested in business. There was a company I worked for, which was forced to shut down. I loved the company, but there was nothing I could do to stop it from happening. I realized that if all you know is production, you can’t change things. The business people weren’t going to take me seriously if all I knew about was art.

So my wife – who is a business person – advised me to go into business. And some of the early pioneers from MDA, with whom I became friends with, advised that if I really wanted to change the situation and make things better for the local animation industry, to start a company. So that’s what I did six years ago. I realized we have to stand on our own two feet.

In these six years I’ve been through a lot of stuff. I learned everything from production to storytelling, from the pipeline to business. There were also bad times, when my bank account fell to zero and I didn’t have money to pay the rent. I can only say that the more you have, the more you are afraid of. But if you’ve been through everything, then now it’s just a matter of thinking what could be worse than this. So it was like a wake-up call for me.

"I can only say that the more you have, the more you are afraid of. But if you’ve been through everything, then now it’s just a matter of thinking what could be worse than this. So it was like a wake-up call for me."

We started with a single client who had a project. We were competing with some other companies, but somehow my client believed in us. So with four credit cards, we went to IKEA to buy the furniture, buy the PCs on instalment, rented a thousand square foot office and set up overnight. He and his investors came in and gave us three episodes to do. I told my crew that we only had six months. After that, I didn’t know what was going to happen. And that’s how we started.

After finishing the three episodes, I volunteered to go with my client to Cannes to try and secure distribution. Eventually Shelldon got picked for distribution and aired in the US.

Cannes was eye-opening for me. I still remember this Japanese-American man, most business people wouldn’t be so honest with you but he was. He said that what we were doing was good, but not superb. He told me to go down to the Korean booth and look at what they were doing; every year they are innovating and changing.

When I looked at them I knew that we were lousy and had to improve. I came back and told my crew that I think I know what to do. I asked them if they wanted to do something that they all loved. They said “yes”, and we developed Dream Defenders with everyone’s contribution. That’s how we started.

How do you think Singapore studios can compete on the world stage?

You know, now we have meetings with Dreamworks, with Sony Pictures Entertainment, with Hasbro, with Warner Bros. All these things I never dared to dream about, but now it’s happening because of the tremendous growth in Asia. Also, because what we learned is that we shouldn’t compete based on price, we must compete based on a unique service. If you can create a unique service that other people cannot provide, then people will see you as a partner. If not, then you’re just a commodity. And I think that as a studio we need to craft out our niche.

So what’s the difference between Tiny Island and the rest of the Asian studios? There are two things we embarked on. One is IP development and monetization. That’s the reason why I have clients who come to us for a one-stop solution. We will develop the IP, the show bible, the characters, the business strategy, monetization, production, distribution to finish.

As compared to some companies which just compete with price. And that’s how we push ourselves to be on par with international companies. If not, you’re just a sweatshop. Asia companies are always seen as sweatshops. We have to transform ourselves and that’s how we position ourselves.

"Asia companies are always seen as sweatshops. We have to transform ourselves and that’s how we position ourselves."

That’s number one. Number two is always to move ahead. We always move five years ahead, and we partner with technologists. Now we can create what we call ‘future-proof’ content. When you create content it’s typically for the TV. The second market that’s evolving is the second screen, like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu on mobile devices. We are now looking beyond at the third screen, which are all these new portable 3D devices. And even newer technologies. We already have the ability to do auto-stereoscopic content with 8 cameras.

If you just do content that will last three years, then they’ll go for the cheaper price. But if you can create content that will last for the next ten years, then they will pay you more. And that’s our niche. You must always create a niche for yourself otherwise you cannot compete.

Launch Into The Dreamworlds With The Dream Defenders Premieres on Hulu this summer!

Singapore, May. 27th, 2013 – Dream Defenders tells the incredible story of Zane and Zoey serving as the last line of defense between the real world and the Dreamworlds. Controlled by evil Icela, the nightmare monsters come to life and are threatening to break through to the real world! The 26 episode series is available on the free, ad-supported Huluand Hulu Plus subscription service.

The series follows the adventure of Zane and Zoey, 14-year-old twins who can travel into the Dreamworlds – the realm where humans dream. Supercomputer ZEUS provides the means, the twins provide the courage. Only new school friends Tucker and Patel share Zoey and Zane’s secret adventures. Evil forces in the Dreamworlds, Icela, Nodd & Druul, unleash Momoks, nightmare monsters to haunt our dreams and turn us into Dreamwalker zombies. Zane and Zoey must defeat the monsters in the Dreamworlds and, with Tucker and Patel’s help, keep the chaos in the real world under control.

The series is based on original concepts developed by Tiny Island Productions, Singapore’s leading Stereoscopic 3D CG animation production company. It focuses on producing “Future Proof” content across multiple new platforms. The Los Angeles-based writing team was supervised by industry veterans Eric and Julia Lewald, who have been showrunners together or individually on 14 series, including X-Men: The Animated Series and Young Hercules. The series made its first debut in the United States on 3net, the joint venture 24/7 3D Network from Sony, Discovery and IMAX, the world’s first dedicated kids 3D programming block in September 2011.

David Kwok, CEO, Tiny Island Productions, commented: “We recognised the value of reaching out to new digital audiences across multiple platforms and we are very fortunate to have Hulu as our partner.”

Available this summer to U.S. audiences on Hulu and Hulu Plus, viewers get the opportunity to participate in the “Momok (Nightmare Monsters) Design Competition” where winners will bring home 3d glasses free tablets. They will be the first few in the world to experience Dream Defenders 'flying out' from these 3D tablets without having to put on any 3D glasses. Viewers will also get to participate in a lucky draw with the top prize of return air tickets and a hotel stay on sunny and beautiful Singapore where they can get the chance to visit the animation studio behind the production as well as visit the Dream Defenders Exhibition. Details will be announced soon on https://www.facebook.com/DreamDefendersAdventure.

Other Sources:
http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/tiny-islands-dream-defenders-debuts-on-hulu/
http://kidscreen.com/2013/05/31/singapores-tiny-island-lands-hulu-deal/
http://www.awn.com/news/cartoons/dream-defenders-premiere-hulu

About Tiny Island Productions (Pte. Ltd.)

Tiny Island Productions is Singapore’s leading Stereoscopic 3D CG animation production company. Established in 2002 and based in cosmopolitan Singapore, the company creates, manages and markets quality content for the global CG animation market. The company is producing a slate of CG animated television and film projects, available in Stereoscopic-3D, in collaboration with international partners from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand.

Most recently, the company’s stereoscopic-3D CG animated original series “Dream Defenders” has been sold to 3Net, (the 24/7 3D Network from Sony, Discovery and Imax) and Hulu, in the United States. Dream Defenders has also recently won the Asia Image Apollo Awards 2013.

Besides developing its own IP. Tiny Island Productions also provides production services for its international clients. The studio has recently completed the production for the all new Ben 10 CGI Telemovie: Destroy All Aliens in both standard and stereoscopic 3d format for Cartoon Network. And the show has won 2 major awards. Gold for Promax Asia and Best 3d Programs for Asia Television Awards.

The company has also previously worked with international distributor Dreamworks Classic and Thai-based producing company, Shellhut Entertainment, on a CG animated series, Shelldon, that was aired on major networks including NBC USA and France 5. Other earlier deals inked include a development deal with Los-Angeles based Saban Entertainment Group (SEG), with SEG providing development resources for a CG animated series.

For further information please contact:
Tiny Island Productions – press@tinyisland.net

David Kwok's Tiny animated ambitions on BBC News (BUSINESS)

Original Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22088371

Singapore: 10th April 2013

Our special series on entrepreneurs continues with a look at the 3D animation studio, Tiny Island Productions, set up by Singaporean David Kwok.

After working as an engineer for many years, he abandoned his government job, starting at the bottom to carve out a new career in cartoons and animation.

Since he set up his company in 2007, it has grown from four staff to 120, servicing clients in the US and Europe, and includes an animation school. He tells the BBC his passion lies behind his success.

Nanoveu enters into an MOU with Tiny Island Productions to collaborate on the development of 3D content for its Eyefly3D™ branded series of filters for
smartphones and tablets.

Singapore, April 2nd 2013 – Nanoveu Pte Ltd announced today that it has entered into an MOU with Tiny Island Productions Pte Ltd to collaborate on bringing more glasses-free 3D content to mobile phones and tablets through Nanoveu’s new patent pending Nano based thin film protector, EyeFly3D.

Using half a million perfectly shaped lenses engineered onto its surface the lenticular film dramatically improves the brightness, clarity, and resolution of 3D images on most devices. It gives you undistorted 2D and 3D images when viewed in both landscape and portrait mode, a challenge for other manufacturing processes.

Our patent pending nanotechnology allows us to tailor and manufacture films quickly for most modern day high resolution Smart Devices – unlike some competing technologies.

“In the past, 3D content has been relegated to large screen TVs and cinemas and had to be viewed with special 3D glasses. EyeFly3D is a game changer as it allows just about anyone with a smartphone to view 3D glasses-free on their personal device,” said David Kwok, CEO of Tiny Island Productions. “ We see this as a platform for leading content owners and distributors to showcase their work. There were over 419 million smartphones sold worldwide in 2012 and 428 million in 2011 according to Gartner. Each phone represents a potential customer for our 3D content. We’re very excited to see our new stereoscopic-3D CG animated series 'Dream Defenders' via the EyeFly filter. ” remarks David.

Nanoveu's EyeFly3D product provides a way for movie studios, game developers, and any content owner to showcase their 3D content as it was intended. This collaboration sets the tone on how Nanoveu will work with content owners worldwide as it develops software to allow the transition of 2D content into 3D through a set of tools that it is currently developing. This will mean that there will be more specially built 3D content to complement that already available 3D content available at YouTube, ESPN3D, Disney3D and other websites.

“For 3D content owners, think of the current landscape as owning a Ferrari with only a tiny cobbled road to drive on. This piece of plastic is akin to opening an Autobahn to allow the fastest cars to perform at their best. 3D content now has an inexpensive medium to showcase its true impact” said Alfred Chong, CEO of Nanoveu. “This collaboration creates a way for content owners to realize the potential of 3D.”

For media enquiries, please contact:

Adeline Chu
Head of Marketing
Nanoveu Pte Ltd.
3 Pickering Street, 02-17
Singapore 046680
Tel +65 6557 0155
Mobile +65 9843 6222
Email adeline.chu@nanoveu.com

David Kwok
CEO
Tiny Island Productions Pte Ltd.
141 Redhill Road, Block H & E, #01-24, Singapore 158828
Tel +65 96933870
Email davidk@tinyisland.net

PROFILES

About Tiny Island Productions Pte Ltd
Tiny Island Productions is Singapore’s leading Stereoscopic 3D CG animation production company. Established in 2002 and based in cosmopolitan Singapore, the company creates, manages and markets quality content for the global CG animation market. The company is producing a slate of CG animated television and film projects, available in Stereoscopic-3D, in collaboration with international partners from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand.

Most recently, the company’s stereoscopic-3D CG animated original series “Dream Defenders” has been sold to 3Net, the 24/7 3D Network from Sony, Discovery and Imax, in the United States. The company had also previously worked with international distributor Dreamworks Classic and Thai-based producing company, Shellhut Entertainment, on a CG animated series, Shelldon, that was aired on major networks including NBC USA and France 5. Other earlier deals inked include a development deal with Los-Angeles based Saban Entertainment Group (SEG), with SEG providing development resources for a CG animated series. The studio has also just completed the production for the all new Ben 10 CGI Telemovie: Destroy All Aliens in both standard and stereoscopic 3d format. The show won 2 major awards. Gold for Promax Asia and Best 3d Programs for Asia Television Awards.

About Nanoveu Pte Ltd
Nanoveu is a leading provider of thin film based nano structures that can shape our vision when viewed through modern day, high resolution smart devices. Using a patent pending process of manufacturing, Nanoveu’s breakthrough is in delivering distortion free 2D/3D videos, photos and games on smartphones and tablets. Nanoveu markets its glasses-free 3D line of products under the EyeFly3D brand. Its security product, Veuflex offers unprecedented patterning combinations through sub-pixel manipulation and a visual key that cannot be detected by the naked eye. Nanoveu is a key enabler for a new generation of low cost alternative to privacy films, 2-Factor authentication replacement, glasses-free 3D on smart devices and visual encryption. Please visit www.nanoveu.com and www.EyeFly3D.com for more information.

The Ben 10 – Destroy All Aliens that we have worked on picked up the inaugural award for Best 3D Animated Programme at the Asian Television Awards. Meanwhile, at the PromaxBDA Asia Awards, the film also won Gold in the Best Movie Campaign category.

By Dan Sarto | Monday, December 10, 2012 (AWN News)

http://www.awn.com/news/awards/ben-10-sweeps-competition-asia

Singapore -- At two prestigious award ceremonies in Singapore on December 6, Ben 10 once again proved why it is Asia’s favourite kids’ franchise. Ben 10 – Destroy All Aliens, Cartoon Network’s first-ever CG animated movie featuring the alien-morphing hero, picked up the inaugural award for Best 3D Animated Programme at the Asian Television Awards. Meanwhile, at the PromaxBDA Asia Awards, the film won Gold in the Best Movie Campaign category.

A cross-Pacific collaboration between Cartoon Network Asia and Cartoon Network in the United States, Ben 10 – Destroy All Aliens premiered globally in March and achieved impressive ratings. Sunny Saha, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Turner International Asia Pacific, said, “These award wins again show Ben 10’s global appeal. With the successful debut of the CG movie, along with the franchise’s latest series, Ben 10: Omniverse, it’s been another epic year for Ben Tennyson and his awesome alien forms. Last week’s results also demonstrate the high level of animation talent on show in Asia and the talent available here.”

Asia has been an important platform for the franchise’s recent successes. For Ben 10 – Destroy All Aliens, Singapore-based animation studio Tiny Island were instrumental and Silas Hickey, the project’s executive producer, is based in Hong Kong.

14th TBS DigiCon6 Awards Presentation - 24th October 2012
Dream Defenders Opening Title came in 2nd Place in the Open Category

Our CEO receiving the 2nd Prize from GM of Lucasfilm Singapore / Chairman of DigiCon6 Singapore Organising Committee, Mr Xavier Nicolas.

In Good Company: Tiny Island Productions creates Singapore's first Stereoscopic 3d Animated Series for the US, and worlds' TV screens
- By Tania Lim (MDA Issue 14, Oct 2012)

http://www.mda.gov.sg/NEWSANDEVENTS/Newsletters/2012/14/Pages/story6.aspx#

CEO David Kwok explains how Tiny Island's new show is breaking into new markets beyond just TV, and is bringing a brand of 360-storytelling to new heights.

“Dream Defenders Adventure”, Singapore’s first 3D Stereoscopic animated series has landed in North America. Created by Tiny Island Productions, a Singapore indie animation company, the show has become a top children show telecast on 3net, a US-based 3D TV channel which is a joint venture between Discovery, IMAX and SONY.

But Tiny Island’s CEO David Kwok says that the show is not just for TV, it’s going fully 360 beyond TV to games and other new digital platforms. The spin-off for the show is already available on Nintendo 3D US website for download.

Based out of Redhill Road, this independent 3D animation company, which has grown from 10 to 120 staff in just over six years, has already put Singapore on the world map for digital animation. It is easily one of the leading local animation companies here. Earlier last year, Tiny Island worked on Cartoon Network channel’s animated telefeature “Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens”, and started creating their own stereoscopic 3D animated TV series, “Dream Defenders Adventure”, which CEO David Kwok says is kind of like “Inception for kids”.

“Inception for Kids” and more

The series revolves around how a pair of twins, Zane and Zoey, who find a super computer by chance when they move into a new home, and enters the dreams of many people to fight Momoks, nightmare monsters. The twins prevent them from having nightmares by destroying the Momoks created by evil Queen, Icela, in these dream worlds.

Game change: Dream Defenders showing the way

Made to a tune of US$5.2million and partly funded by MDA, David says he has bigger plans for the 3D stereoscopic animated “Dream Defenders Adventure”. He firmly believes that going 360 is the only way for the local animation industry to grow, and that involves building their own brands.

He explains: “We are venturing into new markets. With a highly competitive TV market here, you can no longer just do a show, thinking you are going to try to sell it to a TV station.

The game plan has changed. You really need to have a ‘360’ approach… Like when we do ‘Dream Defenders’, besides the TV show, we look into many new digital platforms. From 3D phones to 3D tablets to 3D goggles where it makes you feel like you are alone in a virtual 3D cinema. The last three episodes are made into a 3D feature-length film known as “Dream Defenders: the Origins” and we are adding in more cool stuff to tap into the DCP (Digital Cinema Projection) market as well.”

Recognising how fast and media-savvy consumers are these days, David Kwok says his company is creating ‘future proof’ content. Constantly innovating is the company strategy. David elaborates: “That means our content is designed in such a way we can use on traditional, 4 by 3, 16by9, HD, stereoscopic and even future auto-stereoscopic 3D platform where 3D glasses are not needed. All along our strength is 3D production so now I’m partnering with a lot more people.”

“For “Dream Defenders”, you can download from Nintendo website to watch on Nintendo 3D player (without 3D glasses). And because I’m also talking to R&D manufacturers who do 3D tablets. So we are planning to do a 3D e-book - when you touch the screen, the characters will fly out of the screen when readers view the book without 3D glasses. We also have a deal with Touch Music Publishing Pte Ltd, and wrote a song that has a music video adding another dimension to the characters. Plus the HD content can be exported to digital cinema projection. All these things will again cross-promote the series so we are covering a lot of new media and do a lot of branding so we can roll out the merchandise later.”

Heading West, with a vision for pan-Asian collaborative content

Having just come back from Los Angeles a month ago, David thinks that now is the time for Singapore companies to work even more collaboratively as the West is now looking to Asia. “I think there’s growing interest in Asia from North America and Europe. Partly because of current economic downturn in the West, they are looking for collaborations – in terms of more partners, outsourcing, co-investment, and in other ways.”

Being in the animation sector for over 14 years now, David Kwok believes the creative sector has changed and evolved: “There’s a lot more opportunities because Asian capabilities in terms of production have gone up, financial support here is getting stronger and the Internet has made the world a seamless place to be.”

Indeed, David hopes that this global trend will open up new markets for made-by-Singapore content and has his own dreams as well as to how it could look.

“One vision I have is that one day the studios in Asia can form an alliance, then together we can combine funding from various Asian countries, from investors and funding agencies, and perhaps do a joint pitch for projects…It’s no longer about competition against companies in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, but it’s about collective and collaborative efforts with studios in Asia. In the West, they have great ideas, and content which Asia can collaborate with, so that’s all exciting. Perhaps we can combine and create content with creativity from the whole Asia region. I think we can find great synergy amongst us.”

Latest: Music collaboration on Dream Defenders Adventure

Check out their newly launched Music Video which is a song collaboration between Tiny Island Productions and Touch Music Publishing Pte Ltd, a leading independent music publisher in Asia that promotes local songwriters.

Ushering in “new chapter between our music and animation industry”, this song is “a special dedication towards all who has worked so hard towards a common dream, which is to put Singapore on the world map,” adds David.

Hope you like the music video and share the song with your friends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVHOlLs1AZ4

To find out more, catch the trailers for “Dream Defenders Adventure”, http://www.youtube.com/user/MDAsingapore https://www.facebook.com/DreamDefendersAdventure

Dream Defenders is now part of the Dreamworks Classic TV Catalogue
(MIPCOM 2012) - 11th October 2012

The New Dream Defenders Music Video - A Dream Waiting for You.
3rd October 2012

With the creation of this new music video, it marks a new chapter between our music and animation industry. This is a special collaboration between Touch Music Publishing Pte Ltd and Tiny Island Productions. And more plans are on its way. Stay tuned.

Performed - by Lee Hua Chang
Composed - and Written by Lee Hua Chang
Produced - by Lee Hua Chang
OP - Touch Music Publishing Pte Ltd
Arrangement by Wilson Tan
Mix & Mastering by Zennon Goh
Animation by - Tiny Island Productions
Edited by - Rygan Ding

S'pore animation studio produces new Ben 10 movie
By Qiuyi Tan CNA | Posted: 25 September 2011 1935 hrs

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1155465/1/.html

SINGAPORE: Hit American cartoon Ben 10 has landed on our shores, through one home-grown animation studio Tiny Island.

It's producing a new television movie slated to premiere next year on Cartoon Network.

Tiny Island is producing both the regular and 3D versions of the movie Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens.

But it's Dream Defenders, Tiny Island's debut cartoon that caught the world's attention and helped clinch the deal with Cartoon Network.

"When we work with Western partners, they want to make sure you have the track record before they work with you. I think it takes time but we'll get there," said David Kwok, CEO of Tiny Island Productions.

Less than a decade old, Singapore's animation sector is estimated to contribute S$100 million in revenue by 2015, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 16 per cent, according to a 2008 study by Deloitte Touch Tohmatsu.

It's set its sights on the high end and high quality segment of the international market - and 3D content is one focus.

One complaint about 3D TV is that you have to wear clunky 3D glasses to see the effects. But Kwok said the technology for 3D without glasses already exists, and we can expect the system to be ready on the market in as soon as three years' time.

Singapore's animation industry has grown in the past two years, spurred on by international companies like Lucasfilm setting up shop here.

Today, there are more than 40 animation and special effects companies in Singapore, up from less than 10 in 2003.

It's a high-tech but labour-intensive industry.

An animator sets the characters' facial expressions for every single frame of the cartoon, as well as the colour and texture of every piece of furniture in the room where the scene is set.

"When we bring them all up together, that's the toughest part - to gel everything up to see that it comes out natural and nice on the screen," said Mohamad Mahathir Abdul Halim, Technical Department Head, Tiny island Productions.

Building a talent pool with the right skill set to feed an animation ecosystem remains a work-in-progress.

"We don't just import talents here and run the show. We train and prepare the talents to stand on their own feet. I think that's what Singapore needs," said Kwok.

And the best training ground for such talent will be the chance to work on high end projects like the Ben 10 movie.

- CNA /ls

Tiny Island’s Dream Defenders to air on 3net on 25th September, 2011

http://www.axapac.com/news/singapore/tiny-island-s-dream-defenders-air-3net-25th-september-2011

By FARHATNAZ ANSARI | 13 September, 2011 - 10:21

3net has acquired 3D version broadcast rights, licensing and merchandising rights to Tiny Island’s Dream Defenders for the US territory. Dream Defenders’ will debut as part of a primetime special on Sunday September 25 that will lead up to the launch of the weekend programming block of 3net, named Three Dee Kids, on October 1.

Talking to Animation Xpress Asia Pacific about the deal between Tiny Island and 3net, David Kwok, CEO, Tiny Island Productions said, “The 3D stereo version of Dream Defenders was introduced to good market reviews at MIPCOM 2010. 3net was actively sourcing for premium 3D stereo animated content for the launch of its 3D kids block on its 24/7 3D channel, so it was an excellent buyer and seller match’.

Zane and Zoey, twins and rivals are the “Dream Defenders” (26x30min eps) - the last line of defense between the Real World and the nightmare creatures of the Dreamworlds. Controlled by the evil Icela, ruler of Dreamworld, the nightmares have come to life and are threatening to break through and take control. Only Zane and Zoey, and their supercomputer Zeus, stand in Icela's way.

The series is based on original concepts by Tiny Island Productions and produced at the Singapore based studio. The writing team is supervised by industry veterans Eric and Julia Lewald, who have been showrunners together or individually on 14 series, including X-Men: The Animated Series and Young Hercules.

Besides the continued worldwide distribution for the series, ongoing plans for Dream Defenders include a special theatrical feature, global licensing and merchandising rollout. Currently discussions are underway with film producers in the US for the production of 2 feature films.

All New Dream Defenders Opening Title
10th September 2011

DREAM DEFENDERS in a US prime-time special presentation Sunday, September 25

-- Lineup Includes Exclusive 3D Animated Series, Live-Action Programs, Family-Friendly Sony Theatrical Titles and More -- (August 24, 2011)

http://press.discovery.com/us/3n/press-releases/2011/first-ever-3D-kids-block-on3net-1497-1497/

(Culver City, Calif.) – 3net, the joint venture 24/7 3D Network from Sony, Discovery and IMAX, will expand its dynamic lineup of compelling, native 3D television content with the debut of the world’s first dedicated kids 3D programming block, it was announced today by Tom Cosgrove, President & CEO, 3net. The network’s foray into children’s television will be bolstered by more than 30 hours of exclusive, native family-friendly 3D content at launch, and 3net will celebrate this groundbreaking initiative with the world premiere of the all-new animated 3D series BOLTS & BLIP and DREAM DEFENDERS in a prime-time special presentation Sunday, September 25 (8PM ET/PT).

“The announcement of a dedicated programming block for kids 7-12 and their families marks another important step forward in our mission to provide compelling, diverse and original 3D television content to the broadest audience of consumers possible,” said Cosgrove. “It further underscores 3net’s on-going commitment to building upon our leadership position in the dynamic and ever-growing in-home 3D entertainment space.”

In addition to the animated 3D children’s series announced today, 3net will also debut the world 3D TV exclusive premieres of hit Sony Pictures 3D family films, as well as the live-action original series FEEDING TIME, the 3net exclusive PUPPY BOWL, all-new short-form kids-oriented content and more. 3net will announce future exclusive theatrical titles as well as additional live-action and animated series in the coming months, which will further enhance the initiative. The “3net Three Dee Kids” Saturday and Sunday lineup will premiere in its weekend time on Saturday, October 1 (10AM ET/PT).

Prime Time Debut Series Information:

BOLTS & BLIP:

BFFs Bolts & Blip are just your average everyday robots who desperately want to become cool battle-bots and play in the coveted Lunar League of Robotic Sports. When the pair finally get their wish, they realize they are in over their heads, and soon discover what they are really made of as they battle against formidable foes such as the Tread Heads, Blood-Bots, Galaxy All-Stars, and the eccentrically evil Dr. Blood. The 26 episode, half-hour series is produced by ToonBox Entertainment in partnership with South Korea’s Red Rover Co. Ltd.

DREAM DEFENDERS:

DREAM DEFENDERS features Zane and Zoey, twins and rivals who serve as the last line of defense between the Real World and the nightmare creatures of the Dreamworld. Controlled by the evil Icela, ruler of Dreamworld, the nightmares have come to life and are threatening to break through and take control. Only Zane and Zoey, and their supercomputer Zeus, stand in Icela's way. The 26 episode, half-hour series is produced by Tiny Island Productions.

About 3net:

3net, the joint venture of Sony Corporation, Discovery Communications and IMAX Corporation brings together three of the world's leading media, technology and entertainment companies to provide the nation’s first and only fully programmed, 24/7 3D network. The three partners deliver an extraordinary collection of award-winning 3D content, technology and production expertise, television distribution and operational strength to the project, with a mission to bring viewers the highest quality and most immersive in-home 3D viewing experience possible. The channel will feature the most extensive library of 3D content in the world by the end of 2011, featuring genres that are most appealing in 3D, including natural history, documentary, action/adventure, travel, history, kids and family, hyper-reality, lifestyle and cuisine, concerts, movies, scripted series and more. 3net is currently available on DIRECTV channel 107. For more information, please visit www.3net.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Singapore’s Tiny Island Productions to Work On Cartoon Network Asia’s First
CG-Animated Television Movie: BEN 10: Destroy All Aliens

Non-stereoscopic and stereoscopic-3D versions of first CGI Ben 10 feature to be produced by Singapore studio.

Singapore, (23rd August, 2011) – Tiny Island Productions, Singapore’s leading Stereoscopic 3D CG animation
production company, today announced that they are working with renowned American director Victor Cook and Silas Hickey, Creative Director for Animation, Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc., on the production of both non-stereoscopic and stereoscopic-3D versions of Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens, a 66 minute television movie written by
Marty Isenberg, slated for premiere in 2012 on Cartoon Network globally.

The first sneak peek of Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens was revealed to fans at San Diego’s Comic-Con 2011 last month.
“The opportunity to work on a project based on such a famous Cartoon Network franchise such as Ben 10 has been
an amazing and challenging experience for our production team,” commented David Kwok, CEO of Tiny Island Productions. “Using computer graphics to bring visual effects and characters to life enhances the highly action-adventure driven nature of the Ben 10 property. The addition of stereoscopic-3D depth will create another new experience for fans of the well-loved franchise.”

“Tiny Island Productions is one of Asia’s leading animation studios and it has been great working alongside such talented CG animation experts who have become an extension of the Cartoon Network Asia team,” said Hickey.
“Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens continues the Cartoon Network promise to animate kids’ lives and is set to bring this successful franchise to an awesome new level.”

Ben 10, created by Man of Action (Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, Duncan Rouleau, Steve Seagle), has been a Cartoon Network
hit internationally, spawning a highly successful global merchandise line. The property was first launched as a 2D television series in 2006 and has continued to expand into multiple series and features.

About Tiny Island Productions (Pte. Ltd.)
Tiny Island Productions is Singapore’s leading Stereoscopic 3D CG animation production company.
Established in 2002 and based in cosmopolitan Singapore, the company creates, manages and markets
quality content for the global CG animation market. The company is producing a slate of CG animated
television and film projects, available in Stereo-3D, in collaboration with international partners from Japan,
Thailand and Hong Kong. The company had also previously worked with international distributor Classic
Media and Thai-based producing company, Shellhut Entertainment, on a CG animated series, Shelldon
that was aired on major networks including NBC USA and France 5. One of its latest deals is Tiny Island's
stereoscopic-3D CG Animated series 'Dream Defenders' to make American debut on 3net. Joint Venture 24/
7 3D Network from Sony, Discovery and IMAX. Other earlier deals inked include a development deal with
Los-Angeles based Saban Entertainment Group (SEG), with SEG providing development resources for a CG
animated series.
###

For further information please contact:
Tiny Island Productions – contact@tinyisland.net

Other sources

http://www.axapac.com/news/singapore/singapore-s-tiny-island-work-cartoon-network-asia-s-ben-10-cg-feature
http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/singapores-tiny-island-to-work-on-ben-10-tv-movie/
http://www.worldscreen.com/articles/display/31090
http://www.awn.com/news/cg/singapore-s-tiny-island-work-ben-10-destroy-all-aliens
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/biz/singapore%E2%80%99s-tiny-island-to-work-on-ben-10-destroy-all-aliens.html
http://toonbarn.com/2011/08/tiny-island-helps-ben-10-destroy-aliens-cartoon-network-3d/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tiny Island's stereoscopic-3D CG Animated series 'Dream Defenders' to
make American debut on 3net

Joint Venture 24/7 3D Network from Sony, Discovery and IMAX granted license to 3D
broadcast and home video, publishing and merchandising rights in the US

Singapore, (April 27, 2011) — Tiny Island Productions, Singapore’s leading Stereoscopic-3D CG animation production company and 3net, the 24/7 3D Network from Sony, Discovery and Imax announced today a deal which grants 3net 3D broadcast, home video, publishing and merchandising rights in the United States.

David Kwok, CEO, Tiny Island Productions, commented: “We are honored to have the opportunity to work with 3net to launch the stereoscopic version of our series in the US.”

Tom Cosgrove, President & CEO of 3net, commented: “This marks an important step in furthering our commitment to bring ground-breaking, family-friendly 3D content to our audience.”

Zane and Zoey, twins and rivals are the “Dream Defenders” (26x30min eps) - the last line of defense between the Real World and the nightmare creatures of the Dreamworlds. Controlled by the evil Icela, ruler of Dreamworld, the nightmares have come to life and are threatening to break through and take control. Only Zane and Zoey, and their supercomputer Zeus, stand in Icela's way.

The series is based on original concepts by Tiny Island Productions and produced at the Singapore - based studio. The writing team is supervised by industry veterans Eric and Julia Lewald, who have been showrunners together or individually on 14 series, including X-Men: The Animated Series and Young Hercules. The series will debut on 3net in October 2011.

About Tiny Island Productions (Pte. Ltd.)

About 3net

3net, the joint venture of Sony Corporation, Discovery Communications and IMAX Corporation brings

together three of the world's leading media, technology and entertainment companies to provide the
nation’s first and only fully programmed, 24/7 3D network. The three partners deliver an extraordinary
collection of award-winning 3D content, technology and production expertise, television distribution
and operational strength to the project, with a mission to bring viewers the highest quality and most
immersive in-home 3D viewing experience possible. The channel will feature the most extensive
library of 3D content in the world by the end of 2011, featuring genres that are most appealing in 3D,
including natural history, documentary, action/adventure, travel, history, hyper-reality, lifestyle and
cuisine, concerts, movies, scripted series and more. For more information, please visit www.3net.com.

###

For further information please contact:

Tiny Island Productions – contact@tinyisland.net
3net – Rod Riegel, 310-244-8907, rod_riegel@3net.com

Tiny Island’s David Kwok talks about Singapore’s 1st 3D stereoscopic series, ‘Dream Defenders

By AMRITA VALECHA | 9 March, 2011

http://www.axapac.com/news/singapore/tiny-island-s-david-kwok-talks-about-singapore-s-1st-3d-stereoscopic-series-dream-def

Tiny Island Productions and Classic Media, has recently announced the launch of Singapore's first Stereoscopic TV show “Dream Defenders” a new CG-animated action-comedy series for 6-9 year olds. Tiny Island will distribute the series in North America and Asia whilst Classic Media will manage distribution across all media including consumer products in all other territories Worldwide. Excited about the release of the show in 2012, David Kwok, Tiny Island shares his experience of working on ‘Dream Defenders’ with AnimationXpress Asia Pacific’s Amrita Valecha.

When did Tiny Island start working on Dream Defenders?
The entire process of concept creation, pitching and raising finances for the show took 2 years, with production starting last year. The journey has been very challenging and fruitful as we have developed new marketing strategies and production techniques through the process.

What made you change the name of the series from ZZZ Force to Dream Defenders?
The original concept we created was titled ZZZ Force. A team of writers from LA was later hired to develop the concept further for a television series, and based on title suggestions from them and in consultation with our distributor Classic Media, it was agreed that the title Dream Defenders would be used instead.

How did the deal with Classic Media happen?
We were looking for a major international distribution partner and had previously worked with the sales/distribution team from Entertainment Rights/Classic Media closely on other projects. They had an excellent sales record and so we felt comfortable and confident working with the sales/distribution team again.

What is the exact deal between Tiny Island and Classic Media?
Classic Media has distribution rights for all territories except for Asia and North America, and also provides consultative creative advice in exchange for an executive producer credit.

Could you tell us a bit about the series? What message does it have for the kids?
The series is about a pair of twins - Zane and Zoey, who are on a mission to destroy nightmare monsters that are terrorising the Dreamworlds of the people around them. The wicked Icela, ruler of the Dreamworlds and her henchmen, are behind the nightmare monsters, in a bid to find a way to cross over into our world.

What made you do the series in stereo?
The action-comedic genre as well as the high production quality made the show excellent content for production also in stereo format. Also, our market research had showed that there is a demand for high quality stereo content for both the broadcast and home entertainment markets.

What was the most challenging part for developing the series?
The most challenging part for developing the series is to ensure that the content has multi-platform potential.

What is the budget of the series?
The production budget of the series is US$5.2 million.

When will the series come on air? Have you signed any deals with broadcasters?
The series is tentatively scheduled to come on air in 2012. We are in currently in discussions with broadcasters in the US and Asia.

What has been the involvement of MDA?
MDA is a co-investor in the series.

Your anticipation from the series
So far, we have quite a fair bit of enquiries from buyers from US and Europe, Asia. Some of it is reaching the final stage of the deal. We are hoping to make some announcement in the 2nd quarters of 2011.

3D animation puts S'pore on world map

Channel News Asia
By Hoe Yeen Nie | Posted: 26 December 2010

Click here to view article

SINGAPORE: A small production company from Singapore is making ripples around the world with its animation project "Dream Defenders".

The show, which is targeted at six to nine year olds, is also Singapore's first animation series in stereoscopic 3D.

In "Dream Defenders", the heroes Zoey and Zane move between dreams and reality, fighting off, literally, your worst nightmares.

It features cool gadgets, scary villains, and above all, a lesson in conquering your fears.

Tiny Island Productions managing director David Kwok said: "The monsters here in Dreamworld are made from the fears and worries you bring with you. No worries, no monsters"!

"Dream Defenders" is made in both stereoscopic 3D, which requires special viewing glasses, and flat animation, which is what is seen on screens.

With few such titles on the market, creators Tiny Island Productions says going 3D helped them stand out.

The show had been in the works for a year, and it was at the MIPTV trade show in Cannes in April that Tiny Island realised many buyers were looking for content in stereoscopic 3D.

Production of the 26-episode series started in June, and they have completed their first episode, with four more on the way.

"Though we are very strong in creating content, the 3D opportunities (and) 3D market really give us a much higher advantage, because of the strong demand in the West: in US, in Europe as well as in Asia," Mr Kwok said.

Their work impressed a major US network so much that it commissioned Tiny Island to work on one of its projects.

Creating a good product with a strong cast and storyline is important of course, but as with most animation shows, merchandising is where the money is, with expected returns of about two to three times the initial investment.

So from the look of the characters to the gadgets they carry, it's all designed to be as marketable as possible to toy companies.

Beyond creating content, Mr Kwok has also set up a school, CG Protege, to train budding animation artists across the range of specialisations - from 3D animation, and visual effects, to modelling and texturing.

CG Protege was established four years ago to fill the talent shortage needed to kickstart the animation industry, Mr Kwok said.

Since then, graduates have moved on to work for Tiny Island as well as other animation studios in Singapore.

Courses are supported by both the Media Development Authority (MDA) and the Workforce Development Agency.

"Dream Defenders" costs an estimated US$5.2 million and is co-financed by MDA.

Beyond television, MDA is setting its sights on feature films next.

Media Development Authority chief operating officer Kenneth Tan said: "Animation is a high strategic priority for our media industry.

"We want our content to travel, we want to leverage on the best technology and people and creativity that we have, and modern-day animation thrives on that.

"Beyond any doubt, I think modern-day 3D is here to stay, and we expect also more and more animation properties coming out of Singapore, to have second, third, fourth, fifth to nth life across multiple platforms, into games, publications, both hard copy as well as electronic, television, long form as well as feature films".

MDA has created a S$10 million fund for stereoscopic 3D productions, with S$2 million set aside for feature films.

In its 2009/2010 annual report, MDA reported that the media sector contributed S$5.5 billion of value-added and S$22.4 billion in revenue to the Singapore economy in 2008, employing some 63,000 workers.

In the period between 1997 and 2009, the compounded annual growth rate was 6.8 per cent, higher than the 5.9 per cent growth for the overall economy.

-CNA/wk

Animation Industry Finds a Home in Singapore

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/15/technology/15iht-animate.html

By SONIA KOLESNIKOV-JESSOP (New York Times)
Published: November 14, 2010

Dream Defenders was showcased at the Mipcom television and animation trade show, above, in Cannes, France. The series is Singapore’s first stereoscopic 3-D offering.

SINGAPORE — “Made in Singapore” is becoming a more common tagline for computer-generated animation.

While this industry in Singapore is less than 10 years old and still very much in its infancy, it has turned an important corner in the past couple years, executives and analysts say.

Christopher Chia, who until two weeks ago was chief executive of the Media Development Authority in Singapore, said he saw local production moving up the value chain.

“In the early years, our industry could be characterized as a fee-for-service industry,” said Mr. Chia, who is now a senior adviser to the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts. “Somebody out there would commission a part of a show and companies here would execute.”

“But increasingly, our companies are either co-owning or owning the intellectual properties,” he said. “At the same time, they’re working with the bigger boys around the world to co-produce or co-market the content.”

That is the case with Dream Defenders, developed and produced by Tiny Island Productions of Singapore and introduced in October at the Mipcom trade show in Cannes. When completed, the 26-episode show will be the first three-dimensional series from Singapore.

Many of the changes in the Singaporean animation landscape can be attributed to the arrival of Lucasfilm, which opened the doors of its digital studio in Singapore in 2005. The presence of the big Hollywood name acted like a magnet, attracting more companies and creating employment opportunities.

“When Lucasfilm opened a studio in Singapore, Classic Media identified it as a talent center that demanded close scrutiny from us,” said Doug Schwalbe, executive vice president of production and program sales for Classic Media.

With a staff of 400, Lucasfilm has outgrown its current facility. It recently announced it would start building a state-of-the-art facility in Fusionopolis, a business park close to Mediapolis, with the goal of moving in to the facility in 2012.

“We did a lot of hand-holding and nurturing at the beginning, helping take companies to the market,” Mr. Chia said.

To date, the authority has co-financed more than 30 animation projects, but with new entrants coming to the Singapore market, more nurturing is needed. Mr Chia acknowledged that most of the success of the local industry had been in television and that it still needed a big success with an animation feature film for others in the industry to really take notice.

Tiny Island Productions has announced plans to co-produce a 3-D, computer-generated animation film based on the television series Shelldon, about the underwater adventures of a seashell, scheduled for release in 2012. Its partner is the entertainment production company Shellhut Entertainment, based in Thailand.

David Kwok, managing director of Tiny Island Productions, said he believed the local industry had made tremendous progress in the past few years, and disagreed with critics who say that Singaporean studios continue to perform lower-end jobs.

“We’re not a low-cost country, like China or India, where you can tap on talent to do very manual, low-end jobs,” he said. “In fact, a lot of the talent here are doing high-end work, the same type of work you would do in Los Angeles.”

Mr. Kwok conceded that in terms of preproduction work like script writing, “we’re not quite there yet.”

His company is using writers based in Los Angeles for the Dream Defenders series, which depicts the twins Zane and Zoey as the last line of defense between the real world and the nightmare creatures of the Dreamworlds.

“But there is no reason why we cannot do it one day,” Mr. Kwok said. “I think it just takes time.”

Come preview Singapore’s first Stereoscopic 3D animation show,
‘Dream Defenders’ at Asia Television Forum 2010

http://mda.gov.sg/NEWSANDEVENTS/PRESSRELEASE/2010/Pages/06122010.aspx

Singapore, 6 December 2010 – Gear up for a 3D experience when you visit the Singapore Pavilion at this year’s Asia Television Forum (ATF), the region’s leading international market for buying, selling, financing, distribution and co-production of television content. Organised by Reed Exhibitions and hosted by the Media Development Authority (MDA), the annual ATF takes place from 8 to 10 December 2010 at Suntec City Convention Centre. It is now into its 11th year.

Visitors to the Singapore Pavilion can expect an array of 3D content and capabilities showcased by local companies. From the latest developments in pre and post production 3D technology to viewing Singapore’s first Stereoscopic 3D animation production, Dream Defenders, visitors will also be able to network directly with the companies involved at the event.

These latest developments in stereoscopic 3D reinforce MDA’s continued focus on raising the bar in the area of 3D. As a result, today, Singapore is one of the first territories in the world with one-stop, end-to-end production and postproduction capabilities in stereoscopic 3D.

“This year’s Singapore pavilion sees an exciting array of content on display which will appeal to both local and international media players. It is also a testament of how far our local companies have come from the days of doing back-end production to now producing full-fledged animation content for distribution and sale at an international market, like ATF,” said Ms Cassandra Tay, Director, Communications and Community & International Relations, MDA.

The Singapore Pavilion will see a total of 15 companies participating. Please refer to Annex A for the list of participating companies.

Over 2,600 participants from over 50 countries – representing movers and shakers in the media industry, from broadcasters to film buyers to cinema operators are expected to attend ATF 2010. This year’s event sees China, Finland and Japan each having their own country pavilion for the first time.

The ATF Singapore Pavilion will be located at Booth C02, Hall 402 Level 4 Suntec Convention Centre.

About 680 guest from the industry attended. The guest are from Canada, US, Europe and Asia.

Tiny Island launches Singapore's first stereoscopic-3D CG
Animated series 'Dream Defenders' at MIPCOM 2010

London, (September 30, 2010) — Tiny Island Productions, Singapore’s leading Stereoscopic-3D CG animation production company and Classic Media, the global media company with a portfolio of some of the world’s top family entertainment brands, today announced the launch of “Dream Defenders” a new CG-animated action-comedy series for 6-9 year olds at this year's MIPCOM market. Tiny Island will distribute the series in North America and Asia whilst Classic Media will manage distribution across all media including consumer products in all other territories Worldwide.

Zane and Zoey, twins and rivals are the “Dream Defenders” (26x30min eps) - the last line of defence between the Real World and the nightmare creatures of the Dreamworlds. Controlled by the evil Icela, ruler of Dreamworld, the nightmares have come to life and are threatening to break through and take control. Only Zane and Zoey, and their supercomputer Zeus, stand in Icela's way... Only Zane and Zoey are the Dream Defenders. What if you could kick your nightmare’s butt’s?…

Based on original concepts by Tiny Island Productions, this production with Classic Media will be produced at the Singapore-based studio, with a writing team based out of Los Angeles. Due for delivery in late 2011, the series will be available in both nonstereo 3D and stereo-3D formats.

Visitors to the Singapore Pavilion at MIPCOM 2010 will experience a Stereoscopic - 3D market preview of the show.

David Kwok, Managing Director, Tiny Island Productions, commented: “We are very excited to announce the launch of our new series as part of the line up for this MIP. Audiences can look forward to spectacular action and adventures set in fantasy or hyper-reality dream worlds. It's going to be very different visually from other shows out there right now on the TV screens with cool and sleek gadgets and interesting character designs. Characters are smart and funny, with situational comedy weaved into the more intense parts of the stories”.

Chloe Van den Berg, Executive Vice President – International, Classic Media, commented; “We are thrilled to unveil Dream Defenders to buyers at MIPCOM and to be working with such premium production partners as Tiny Island. Dream Defenders is an innovative new show, bringing state of the art animation to the small screen in a new action-comedy series for kids worldwide".

The show is co-financed by Tiny Island Productions and the Media Development Authority of Singapore, at a total production budget of US$5.2 million and is available for worldwide acquisition and licensing.

About Tiny Island Productions (Pte. Ltd.)
Tiny Island Productions is Singapore’s leading Stereoscopic 3D CG animation production company. Established in 2002 and based in cosmopolitan Singapore, the company creates, manages and markets quality content for the global CG animation market. The company is producing a slate of CG animated television and film projects, available in Stereo-3D, in collaboration with international partners from Japan, Thailand and Hong Kong. The company had also previously worked with international distributor Classic Media and Thai-based producing company, Shellhut Entertainment, on a CG animated series, Shelldon, that was aired on major networks including NBC USA and France 5. Other earlier deals inked include a development deal with Los-Angeles based Saban Entertainment Group (SEG), with SEG providing development resources for a CG animated series.
http://www.tinyisland.net

ABOUT CLASSIC MEDIA, LLC
Classic Media, one of the world’s largest independent entertainment companies, is a leader in reinventing the classics of yesterday and creating the entertainment classics of tomorrow. The Company owns and manages a globally-recognized portfolio of well-known family and pop-culture entertainment brands, including Casper the Friendly Ghost®, Where’s Waldo?®, Lassie®, Gold Key Comics, The Lone Ranger®, and new global brands Tinga Tinga Tales® and Guess with Jess®. Big Idea, a member of the Classic Media family, is the leading faith-based studio and producer of children’s programming, including the best-selling animated series, VeggieTales®. More than 3,600 hours of Classic Media programming is distributed in more than 170 territories worldwide and showcased in multiple formats, including TV, film, home video, consumer products, publishing, digital, and music. Visit us at http://www.classicmedia.tv.

###

For further information please contact:
Classic Media - Nicola Duarte, Director, PR & Marketing –
nicola.duarte@classicmedia.tv
+44 7500 944604

Tiny Island - contact@tinyisland.net

Distribution contact:
North America/Asia - sharontan@tinyisland.net
All other territories Worldwide - chloe.vandenberg@classicmedia.tv

Other sources

http://www.cgw.com/Press-Center/Web-Exclusives/2010/Tiny-Island-launches-Singapores-first-stereoscop.aspx
http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/tiny-island-classic-dream-up-3d-defenders/
http://www.awn.com/news/television/tiny-island-launches-singapores-first-3-d-cg-series
http://www.axapac.com/news/axapac386.htm
http://www.c21media.net/resources/detail.asp?article=57580&amp%3Barea=79
http://www.prlog.org/10932057-launch-of-singapores-first-stereoscopic-3d-cg-animated-series-at-mipcom-2010.html
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1083858/1/.html

Shellhut Entertainment and Tiny Island Productions Announce Co-production
on 3-D Stereoscopic CG Animated Film

April 12, 2010 – Thai-based entertainment producing company Shellhut Entertainment Co., Ltd and Singapore-based animated film and television production company Tiny Island Productions (Pte.Ltd.) today announce their plans to co-produce a 3-D stereoscopic CG animated film, targeted for release in 2012.

The 90 minute feature is based on the 26 x 22 minute television series “Shelldon”, created by Shellhut Entertainment. Season One of the series was released in 2009 and has been aired by major broadcasters such as NBC USA and France 5, with television and home entertainment distribution deals signed across more than 100 countries.

Both co-production partners will cooperate to adapt the television property to the big screen and to identify international distribution and licensing partners. With its richly imaginative sets and introduction of new characters, the film is targeted to appeal to the broader family entertainment audience. Plans are also underway to bring in additional creative partners from Japan, China and USA.

Signing ceremony at MIPTV 2010 (Cannes)
(Seated:) CEO of Shellhut Entertainment and Managing Director of Tiny Island Productions
(Standing:) Representative from SIPA (Thailand) and Acting Minister of MICA / CEO MDA

Finances for the film have been secured, with a total production budget of US$20 million. Film production will be undertaken at Tiny Island Production's studio in Singapore. A demonstration of the studio's 3-D stereoscopic production capabilities will be on display at the Singapore Pavilion during MIPTV 2010. 3-D auto-stereoscopic content adapted from Season One episodes of “Shelldon” and developed by Tiny Island Productions in partnership with Alioscopy Singapore, a provider of patented glasses-free 3-D solutions, will be on display during the event held in Cannes from 12 April 2010 to 16 April 2010. The Singapore studio is also in talks with co-financiers and partners with an exciting line-up of feature projects for a planned slate of films over the next few years.

Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer of the Media Develoment Authority said: “Shelldon is a good example of a winning property that has the potential to win over new audiences on more than one platform – in this case from Television to the big screen - and in an exciting new area of stereoscopic 3D that Singapore is championing. We congratulate both Tiny Island and Shellhut on their new partnership and look forward to seeing Shelldon on the big screen."

Ms Lena Ng, Director of Infocomm & Media, International Enterprise Singapore said 'Stereoscopic 3D is rapidly gaining global mindshare and international market presence, we are glad to see our home-grown Singapore company, Tiny Island Productions ready to take on the global stereoscopic 3D market together with their Thai partner, Shellhut Entertainment. IE Singapore will continue to facilitate Tiny Island's expansion plan in Japan, Europe and Latin America."

Press contact:
contact@tinyisland.net

About Shellhut Entertainment Co., Ltd.
Shellhut Entertainment Co., Ltd. was established in 2005 to finance, develop and deliver world-class animation. Working with a well-established international network of pre-production, production, and post-production partners, Shellhut has formed a global network to develop unique animation-based intellectual properties that are internationally appealing to kids and the young at heart. The company plans to build on the export success of their debut cartoon TV series “Shelldon” to launch more projects and are working with co-financiers, executives and distributors to further expand its network.

About the Media Development Authority of Singapore
Formed in 2003, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) plays a vital role in transforming Singapore into a Trusted Global Capital for New Asia Media. MDA spearheads initiatives that promote industry growth I film, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation and Interactive Digital Media. At the same time, in ensuring clear and consistent regulatory policies and guidelines, MDA helps to foster a pro-business environment for industry players and increase media choices for consumers. For more information, visit http://www.mda.gov.sg and http://www.smf.sg

About International Enterprise Singapore
International Enterprise (IE) Singapore is an agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry spearheading the development of Singapore’s external economic wing. Our mission is to promote the overseas growth of Singapore-based enterprises and international trade. With a global network in over 30 locations and our 3C framework of assistance – Connections, Competency, Capital, we offer services to help enterprises export, develop business capabilities, find overseas partners and enter new markets. At the same time, we work to position Singapore as a base for foreign businesses to expand into the region in partnership with Singapore-based companies.

Other sources

http://www.animationxpress.com/asiapacific/anxapac245.htm
http://www.animationmagazine.net/article/11418
http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/shelldon-film-in-the-works
http://www.smf.sg/newsflash/14Apr2010/14apr2010_item2.html
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/world/news/e3i2bf7a2a5a7ec6db28b1dbbb2295759e1

Glasses-Free 3d TV on display at MIPTV

http://www.reedmidem.com/mipblog/index.php/2010/04/13/159-glasses-free-3d-on-display-at-miptv

A star attraction of the MDA Singapore stand (07.19) is the glasses-free 3D demo, which uses content created by Singapore's Tiny Island Productions to display dazzling stereoscopic images. As Tiny Island's David Kwok explains, the system, developed by French firm Alioscopy, displays content shot on eight cameras to create images whose perspective changes when moving laterally in front od the screen. Called auto-stereoscopic 3D ('auto' for the glasses-free bit), the technology is still in its early stages; but Kwok promises more content by MIPCOM. If, of course, everyone can agree on a common standard first; and Kwok hopes, on a glasses-free format. So progress remains to be made, but one thing is certain: glasses are now no longer a prerequisite for 3D. Exciting times...

3-D Auto-Stereoscopic And Computer Animated Content By Tiny Island Productions And CG Protege Pte. Ltd. On Display At The PIXAR: 20 Years Of Animation Exhibition

April 1, 2010 – Exciting new 3-D auto-stereoscopic content featuring a patented glasses-free 3-D technology will be on display as part of the world-renowned 'Pixar: 20 Years of Animation' exhibition held from 2 April 2010 to 27 June 2010 at the Singapore Science Centre. The 3-D autostereoscopic content, created by Singapore-based computer animation production studio Tiny Island Productions in partnership with Alioscopy Singapore, a provider of glasses-free 3-D solutions, features digitally-projected images floating out of the screen that are highly visually captive.

In its partnership with Alioscopy Singapore, Tiny Island Productions produces 3-D autostereoscopic content for Alioscopy's 3-D displays. Tiny Island Productions is also partnering training institution CG Protege Pte. Ltd. to provide training to potential content creators for Alioscopy's 3-D displays. Specialized training will be made available to advanced level trainees at the institution who are interested in creating content for Alioscopy's 3-D displays. Other computer animated film and television productions and projects by both Tiny Island Productions and CG Protege Pte. Ltd. will also be on display during the 12-week long exhibition. Exhibits include movie and series trailers, character maquettes, designs and artwork.

Press contact:
contact@tinyisland.net
contact@cgprotege.com

About Tiny Island Productions (Pte. Ltd.)
Tiny Island Productions is a production and producing/consultancy company that creates, manages and
markets quality content for the global CG animation market. Established in 2002 and based in cosmopolitan
Singapore, the management, creative team and panel of advisers are experienced in spearheading
productions from conceptualization to final production across multi-platforms. The company has worked with
UK distributor Entertainment Rights/Classic Media and Thai-based producing company Shellhut
Entertainment on a CG animated television series, Shelldon, that has been aired on NBC USA and France 5.
The company had also earlier inked a development deal with Los-Angeles based Saban Entertainment
Group (SEG), with SEG providing development resources for a CG animated series.

About CG Protege Pte. Ltd.
CG Protege is a quality provider of accredited training programmes recognised by the Workforce
Development Agency of Singapore. Training is administered by Tiny Island Productions and a team of
industry veterans and trainers who have a successful track record in grooming and preparing artists to join
the pool of production-ready talents. Past trainees have found positions working on television and film
projects for both local and international animation and visual effects studios, including Double Negative
Visual Effects (UK & Singapore), Weta Productions (New Zealand), SAMG Studios (Korea), Polygon Studios
(Japan), Lucasfilm Animation (Singapore), Big Communications, Scrawl Studios, Lights & Shadows,,
Mikoishi Studios, Real U Singapore, Sparky Animation and ST Electronics (Digital Media).

'Shelldon' Intl deliveries slated for July, Tiny Island gets aggressive with zzzForce

The Animation Xpress - Asia Pacific Edition - 22nd June 2009
By AMRITA VALECHA

http://www.animationxpress.com/asiapacific/anxapac15.htm

BANGKOK & SINGAPORE: CGI series Shelldon (26 x 22 mins - TG 4-8) is in the final stages of completion and is set to be delivered to International Networks all over by end of July '09. The information was shared with AnimationXpress Asia Pacific by its producers Shellhut Entertainment (Thailand) and Tiny Island Productions (Singapore).

"We have only a few episodes left before delivery to all broadcasters next month" stated Shellhut Entertainment MD Dr Jirayuth Chusanachoti

Even as its final episodes near completion, the show has already aired two seasons in Thailand on Channel 3 premiering last year in October, with season two completing by end of July.

Internationally, the show is being distributed by Classic Media and will be on air across several International TV networks including NBC, Telemundo, ION TV and France 5 amongst others by Q4 '09.

While Shellhut Entertainment is the financer as well as the executive and producing company, most of the pre production and production is being taken care of by Tiny Island Production.

He further shared, "Each episode has been produced at the cost of USD 150 K while the Total Budget of this project (only production costs) is approx. USD 3.9M"

David Kwok, MD, Tiny Island Production shared, "Shelldon entertains young children and educates them about the many forms of life under the sea. The story is about Shelldon, an ordinary boy of Yoka Star Shell adopted by a family of Tridacnidae settled in Shell Land. Despite his best efforts to stay out of trouble, it usually finds him anyway."

With deliveries on Shelldon in final stages, Tiny Island Productions has embarked working on new properties including its own 3D series IP, Zzzforce. Targeted at 6-12 years, the action-comedic series (available for HD) is 26 X 22 minutes and has been budgeted at USD 8 Million. The studio will start work on pre-production by August, followed by production at the end of the year. Zzzforce is expected to be completed by mid 2011. The studio has released a 1 minute teaser for the same and presented it at MIPTV and MIPCOM last year.

"The concept has received very good reviews at MIPTV and MIPCOM. Our North American and European representatives are in talks with broadcasters and we are planning to showcase it at MIPCOM this year too. The Pilot episode should be ready by KidScreen Summit. Tiny Island Productions will be funding the series. Finances for the show is in place with the support of our pool of financers." Shared David Kwok.

To start the series, a small team will work on the pre-production. Once the production starts, the studio has plans to work with 50 artists and eventually ramp up to 100 artists next year once production moved into full swing.

In Brief:
Title: Zzz-Force
Producer: Tiny Island Productions
Style: High-definition CGI animation
Format: 26 x 22 minutes
Target Audience: 6 to 12, Boys/Girls

Dream Team Zzz-Force
At MIPCOM 2008
Press Release : 6th October 2008

An action-comedic high-end CGI animated series, Zzz-Force, that features a pair of sister and brother twins who have the unique ability to visit the dreams of others, is set for official debut at MIPCOM 2008.

Aided by Z.E.U.S, a sentient super-computer life form, the twins Zan and Zeke, transform from average 12-year olds into dream monster control extraordinaires at nightfall. With their ability to capture and remove night terrors, Zan & Zeke have made it their mission to keep dream-time a safe and pleasant place for sleepers the world over.

With action set in fantasy dreamworlds, every episode in the 26 episodes x 22 minute series promises a mix of adventure and comedy, with story elements and characters that add excitement and appeal, including high-tech gadgetry, quirky villains and investigative techniques.

The concept debuted at MIPTV, and talks are ongoing with potential partners from North America and Europe. Early development work on the series has commenced, with teaser out on the Zzz-Force website at www.zzzforce.com.

About Tiny Island Productions
Tiny Island Productions (www.tinyisland.net) is a production and producing/consultancy company that creates, manages and markets quality content for the global CG animation market. Established in 2002 and based in cosmopolitan Singapore, the management, creative team and panel of advisers are experienced in spearheading productions from conceptualization to final production across multi-platforms. The company is currently working with UK distributor Entertainment Rights and Thai-based producing company Shellhut Entertainment on a CG animated television series, Shelldon. The company had also earlier inked a development deal with Los-Angeles based Saban Entertainment Group (SEG), with SEG providing development resources for a CG animated series.

Meeting Animation Industry Leaders from around the world
29th May 2008

A visit to Tiny Island Productions. List of Delegates includes:

William Baumann (President & COO - Porchlight Entertainment USA)
Daniel Scharf (Senior VP, Business & Legal Affairs, Associate General Counsel - Jim Henson Company USA)
Kevin Gillis (Executive Producer - Breakthrough Entertainment Canada)
Steven Denure (Executive Producer - Decode Entertainment Canada)
Ulrik Fremont (Marathon Media France)

UK distributor Entertainment Rights takes Thai toon to town:

C21 Media - 31st March 2008
http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?area=79&article=40797

UK distributor Entertainment Rights has picked up TV, home entertainment, L&M, music and digital rights to a new toon from Thailand's Shellhut Entertainment.

Shelldon (left, 26x30') will be launched at MipTV. Entertainment Rights has worldwide rights outside Thailand, with shared representation in Japan and Korea.

Aimed at four- to eight-year-olds, the show is being produced by Shellhut and Singapore-based Tiny Island Productions, headed by Asian toon veteran David Kwok.

"Shelldon is a vibrant and beautifully produced CGI show, with positive universal values that the whole family can enjoy together," said Chloe van den Berg, exec director of international at Entertainment Rights.

About Entertainment Rights (ER)
Entertainment Rights (ER) Plc was founded in 1999, when the company owned the rights to 50 hours of programming. The company has since grown into a successful global children’s and family entertainment specialist and is a fully listed company on the London Stock Exchange with offices in London, New York and Nashville.
In January 2007, ER acquired Classic Media and Big Idea and the acquisition has transformed the company making it a leading force in the global children’s and family entertainment market. It has also enabled the group to further diversify its portfolio of world famous characters and the library now stands at over 3,600 hours of content.
ER is focused on strategically developing its internationally renowned brands across both traditional and digital media platforms. Annual revenues for the group have increased from £1.9 million in 1999 to £68.1 million in 2007, the last reported financial year.
ER is ideally placed to extend and exploit its portfolio of high quality programming with its own global television distribution division, licensing and digital division, and an established home entertainment label, Right Entertainment. The company has successful established relationships with some of the world’s leading broadcasters and consumers products companies including BBC, Five, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Qubo, Hasbro and Mattel.

From Drawing Board To Market:

MIPCOM 2007 Cannes, 8th October 2007 - Tiny Island Productions has completed early production on a television series based on original concepts and characters created by Shellhut Entertainment, a Thailand-based affiliate of the merchandising company Shellhut Co., Ltd.

This announcement follows the pre-sales market release of a film teaser and 3 episodes of the series for distribution at MIPCOM 2007. Shelldon follows the creative vision of Shellhut Entertainment's executive producer and director Jirayuth Chusanachoti and production advisors from Thailand, UK, and the US, working with the preproduction and CG production team at the Singapore-based production and producing company, Tiny Island Productions. Headed by David Kwok, an animation veteran in the Singapore animation industry, Tiny Island worked on the series' story development, character redesigning, scripting and CG production. The blend of colourful sets and characters with witty scripting and good character animation makes for excellent edutainment, aimed at children aged 8 years and below. The theme song for the series also features the beautiful singing voice of international broadway star Lea Salonga, with voice acting and music services provided by Global Content Center in Manila, Philippines.

The stories revolve around the adventures that the lead character (Shelldon) and his friends go through, in their quest to make the world a better and greener place. It is set in a small reef community called Shell Land, a friendly town that welcomes passing travelers like fish, seashells and others, who live on the beach or in the sea. With quirky humor and endearing, unique characters in all shapes and sizes, this animation also deals with universal issues and concerns that viewers can relate to, such as growing up, getting along with family and neighbors and surviving in an ever-changing world.

Saban Entertainment Group entered into a development deal with Singapore-based Tiny Island Animation:

C21 Media - 7th Oct 2006
http://www.c21media.net/resources/detail.asp?area=79&article=32553

In creating Saban Entertainment Group, Saban and Andryc have also teamed up with Tiny Island Animation, a Singapore-based animation studio led by David Kwok, a veteran leader of the Singapore animation industry.

Saban Entertainment Group will provide development resources to Tiny Island, which focuses on producing CGI entertainment for international television audiences. A comedic CGI animated series is currently in development and is expected to make its debut in 2007.

Explaining the launch of Saban Entertainment Group, Andryc said: "In today's new media environment, we plan to capitalise on cutting-edge interactive technologies to engage the youth market. Our audience will discover and experience unique characters and story content through the media outlet they prefer, be it broadcast, cable, VoD, broadband/internet, direct-to-home-video, videogames or mobile devices."

The new venture will focus on identifying and creating unique, original intellectual properties and brands capable of being distributed across numerous multi-media platforms and connecting with audiences across a variety of entertainment genres, with a particular focus on new media.

About Saban Capital Group, Inc.
Saban Capital Group, Inc. ("SCG") is a private investment firm specializing in the media, entertainment and communications industries. Based in Los Angeles, SCG was established in 2001 by Haim Saban, founder of Fox Family Worldwide, a global television broadcasting, production, distribution and merchandising company owned in partnership with The News Corporation until its sale to The Walt Disney Company in October 2001. SCG makes both controlling and minority investments in public and private companies, and adds strategic value from both a financing and operating perspective through its established relationships and industry operating experience. In addition, SCG owns and operates an independent music-publishing company, Saban Music Group.

Other sources

Hollywood Reporter - 3rd Oct, 2006
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003190530

As part of the new virtual studio, Saban Entertainment Group also has struck a development deal with Tiny Island Animation, a Singapore-based studio led by animation veteran David Kwok that focuses on producing computer-generated content for international TV audiences. Saban Entertainment Group said it will provide development resources to Tiny Island, with a comedic CGI-animated series already in development. It is expected to debut next year.

AWN - - 3rd Oct, 2006
http://news.awn.com/index.php?ltype=cat&category1=MIPCOM&newsitem_no=18086

The Saban Entertainment Group venture also has inked an agreement to work with Singapore-based animation studio Tiny Island Animation to develop computer-generated projects.

Animation Magazine - 4th October, 2006
http://www.animationmagazine.net/article/5980

As part of its virtual studio initiative, Saban Entertainment Group has also entered into a development deal with Singapore-based Tiny Island Animation, led by Singapore animation industry veteran David Kwok. SEG will provide development resources as the two entities develop an unnamed comedic CG-animated series that is scheduled to make its debut in 2007.