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Gaumont Animation, deeper and better
It is always interesting to talk with Pierre Belaisch, CEO at Gaumont Animation (France). Animation vs. live action in kids business? He comments: ‘Through last years, live action has grown and is an important option to fresh kids, but animation continues leading the market for far. From the 5 top kids oriented pan regional channels, four are based mainly on animation’.‘In fact, animation and live action don’t compete each other. They are complementary. Animation makes focus on kids 5-8 years, while live action on elder kids, 6-10 years. We devote our production mainly on animation because we have yet a lot of space to gain there. We are growing on a solid step and catching up with very good opportunities’.
‘Mipcom 2015 has been a good market for us. Big news are that we completed the financial process of Belle & Sebastian, one of our biggest new projects, and we presented two brand-new shows: Gawayn and Noddy Longbottom in her Magesty Service, very good ones. All in all we have now 5-6 very fresh products with a lot of potential in the market’.
‘We make different products for different broadcasters’, Belaisch said last MIPTV. ‘On one hand, we look for well-known characters to generate new stories. On the other, we create full new experiences. With the changes of the market, with the fast evolution of kids to elder likes, you have to be very smart and agile, above all’.
Belle & Sebastian, 52x11’, was created for M6 in France, adapted from a French 60’s live action show. Other new products are Furry Wheels, a 52x11’ series for France 3 and Disney XD EMEA, and Bric a Broc (for C+). About famous characters, Gaumont Animation is in the development of an animated version of Laurel & Hardy, the legendary 40`s live comedy. Animated Calimero, is one of its all time most successful products.