Jellyfish Originals and Alpha Group China Strike Co-Production Agreement for New Kids’ Property Battle of the Bugs at MIPCOM

VFX Online October 27, 2020, 11:37 am 1.8k Views

Jellyfish Originals and Alpha Group China Strike Co-Production Agreement for New Kids’ Property Battle of the Bugs at MIPCOM

New show targets 6-10 year old market with tech-inspired adventure-comedy series.

MIPCOM 2020 – 12th OCTOBER – Jellyfish Originals, the children’s animation original production division of multi-award-winning animation and VFX studio, Jellyfish Pictures, today announced it has entered into a co-production agreement with leading Chinese animation, entertainment and toyco, Alpha Group, on a brand new kids’ property, Battle of the Bugs.

Battle of the Bugs is a futuristic, high-voltage action-comedy series that charts the adventures of three kid-heroes who are sent on a secret mission to save the world after the planet is invaded by huge, mechanical Robot-Bugs. Just an average day in the life of an average twelve year old!

The CG animated series aimed at the 6 – 10 years market, is created by Simon Nicholson, Head Writer of Disney’s PJ Masks and co-developed with Alpha and Jellyfish. Jellyfish Originals is providing script to screen production services whilst also managing the global pre-sales and consumer products rights outside of China and Asia. Alpha Group will oversee all rights in China and Asia and spearhead the licensing programme as global master toy partner.

Natalie Llewellyn, Managing Director, Jellyfish Originals, comments, “Alpha and Simon are a joy to work with and I’m excited to bring Battle of the Bugs to the international market. Together we have created an ambitious universe where technically advanced Robot-Bugs threaten human existence… this futuristic world is a sandbox for stories of all sizes and the perfect back-drop to introduce characters our audience will emotionally invest in. It’s jam-packed with gadgetry, laughs, jeopardy and mechanical creepy crawlies – what’s not to love?!”

Isaac Lin, Head of Global Content and Brands, Alpha Group, adds, “Battle of the Bugs has been a truly international collaboration from its inception. Simon, Alpha and Jellyfish have consciously crafted the characters, world and stories to resonate with a global audience. We know kids love robots, heroes and insects – in this show, they get to embrace all of these favourites in one hit!”

Creator Simon Nicholson says of the concept, “Kids love new technologies and are naturally enchanted by insect life – Battle of the Bugs combines both these fascinations and partners it with thrilling action, high-stake stories and a big dose of funny to deliver the perfect adventure-comedy TV show!”

Jellyfish Originals’ Managing Director, Natalie Llewellyn will present Battle of the Bugs to global buyers at the virtual MIPCOM Online+ conference later this month and showcase an animation promo produced in-house at Jellyfish Pictures at MipJunior Screenings on 5th October 2020. To book an appointment contact .

About Jellyfish Pictures

Founded in 2001, Jellyfish Pictures has grown from the original “two-man band” into an internationally recognised operation with over 300 employees working across four London studios and one studio in Sheffield. VFX credits include blockbuster movies such as Lucas Films’ Star Wars series Solo: A Star Wars Story, The Last Jedi and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story; TV Dramas including HBO’s Watchmen, Netflix’s The Innocents and Black Mirror: Hated in the Nation; TV Documentaries such as Planet Dinosaur and Inside the Human Body.

Since the launch of Jellyfish Animation in 2014, Jellyfish has produced high-quality CG animation for DreamWorks Animation holiday special How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming, top-rated children’s shows, Dennis and Gnasher: Unleashed (CBBC), Floogals (Universal Kids) and Bitz & Bob (Cbeebies) and most recently, has embarked on developing and producing its own original animated children’s content.

Known for its strong art direction, world-class animation and beautifully rendered imagery, Jellyfish has won an EMMY, a BAFTA for Best Visual Effects, two Royal Television Society Awards, two highly sought after Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards, as well as many other accolades including two PRIMETIME EMMY nominations. Jellyfish have just won (Oct 2019) the Broadcast Technical Innovation award for the virtualisation work they have done with their studios in the broadcast and VFX sector.

About Jellyfish Originals

In 2017, as part of the company’s natural growth, ambition and evolution, Jellyfish Pictures branched into developing its own original animated children’s content, curating long-form animated series, serials and family features with global commercial appeal.

Jellyfish Originals is headed up by Natalie Llewellyn, Managing Director, artistically supported by Tom Brass, Creative Director and a talented team of in-house Art Directors and Concept Artists.

Jellyfish’s Original IP Development Slate boasts an array of stand-out projects, targeting a broad demographic: Core-Preschool (3 – 6 yrs), Upper Preschool (4 – 7yrs), Core Kids (6 – 10 yrs), Tweens (8 – 12 yrs) and Family (co-viewing).

With a truly 360-degree approach to brand building, Jellyfish’s talented creatives originate content that transcends traditional media consumption. Passionate about delivering great characters, compelling stories and beautiful pictures, Jellyfish is equally conscious of competing in a rapidly evolving media landscape where on-demand, digital, toys, games and mobile define the viewing habits of our next-gen audience.

In Spring of 2018 the company launched an internal creative programme called Creative Bloom, inviting staff to pitch their ideas for a new children’s show to the Jellyfish development team. Utilising the facility’s talented team’s creative originality Jellyfish currently has two brand new projects in development, adding to its slate of original content.