News from Adastra Creative

A new 'Grandpa in my Pocket' App game has just been launched for iphone and ipad - "Mr Whoops and the Surprise Treasure Hunt".

"Mr Whoops has had some special toys delivered for the Sunnysands Summer Party.  One of the toys hasn't been sent so Mr Whoops has gone off to the factory to find it.  While he's away Floyd sneaks into the shop and decides to jolly up the Carnival by organizing a Treasure Hunt - he's going to hide all the new toys all around Sunnysands and leave clues to where they can be found! . . . "

The game player has to help Jason and Grandpa get the toys into Campo and back into Mr Whoops' shop before Mr Whoops gets back.

The App is avalable now priced £2.99.

The first 'Grandpa in my pocket' audiobook 'A Garden Full of Beasts' is now available on Audible, priced £3.99.  To download, please click on the following link:

http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B006H79B3M&qid=1323354263&sr=1-1

Between 2000 and 3000 people packed into the square under the Southwold Town Hall balcony to see Grandpa (James Bolam) and Great Aunt Loretta (Susan Jameson) turn on the Sunnysands Christmas lights. 

To read more, click on the following link:

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/james_bolam_and_susan_jameson_prove_a_huge_hit_at_southwold_lights_switch_on_1_1144320

James Bolam (Grandpa) and Susan Jameson (Great Aunt Loretta) will be switching  on the Southwold Christmas lights this Friday, 2nd December at 7.00pm.

Come along!

Analysis of the Barb CBeebies Top Ten shows chart for the period March 1st to October 31st 2011 reveals that yet again 'Grandpa in My Pocket' is CBeebies top rating show.  It also appeared in higher positions in the chart than any other show.

GRANDPA IN MY POCKET NOMINATED FOR BAFTA!

Adastra is delighted to announce that Grandpa in my Pocket Series 3 has been nominated for a Children's BAFTA in the "Best Pre-School Live Action Category". 

Adastra submitted the episode "Lenora the Explorer", which stars well-known actress Sian Thomas as a wildlife expert who comes to Sunnysands in search of the Blue Big Beaked Bonglebird.  When she refuses to let Grandpa (James Bolam) join in her expedition, he puts on his Shrinking Cap and sets out to find the Bonglebird by himself. 

This is the third year running that Grandpa in my Pocket has made it to the shortlist of nominees.  Mellie Buse, co-creator and Series Producer said, "Grandpa continues to be a huge ratings success and a favourite with CBeebies audiences.  Recognition from BAFTA is highly prized and this nomination is a real credit to everyone on the production team." 

Full details are available on the BAFTA website - www.bafta.org.uk.  The 2011 winners will be announced at a ceremony on Sunday 27 November.

Notes:
Grandpa in my Pocket was created, written and produced by Mellie Buse and Jan Page.
Directors:  Richard Bradley and Martin Franks
Animation and Visual FX:  Dinamo Productions
Visual FX Supervisor:  Jon Rennie

Adastra and the literary estate of world-renowned author, Roald Dahl, have joined forces to produce the first ever animated television series based on a Roald Dahl title.

Developed from the best-selling children’s book The Enormous Crocodile, the television series will be faithful to Roald Dahl’s unique style of storytelling and the distinctive illustrations of his principal illustrator, Quentin Blake. Brand new stories will chart the further adventures of the hopeless Enormous Crocodile whose “secret plans and clever tricks” are humorously thwarted by the animals in the jungle - Humpy Rumpy, Mugglewump, Trunky and the Roly Poly Bird.

Adastra will develop and produce the series – 52 x 11 minutes – for the literary estate.

Although there have been many hugely successful feature film versions of Roald Dahl books (most recently Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Fantastic Mr Fox), this is the first time Roald Dahl’s literary estate has allowed the creation of new stories based on an existing work. The task has been entrusted to highly-experienced writers Mellie Buse and Jan Page of Adastra, the creators of the award-winning pre-school comedy success, Grandpa in my Pocket.

Amanda Conquy, MD of Roald Dahl’s literary estate says: “We are delighted by our forthcoming collaboration with Adastra.  Mellie and Jan’s experience and sensibilities make them the ideal partners for Roald Dahl’s uniquely anarchic, naughty and whimsical Crocodile. It’s a very exciting project and we are delighted that it is now underway.”

Mellie Buse adds: “We were overjoyed when Roald Dahl’s literary estate contacted us with the idea of turning this timeless classic into an animated series. The Enormous Crocodile is a much-loved character and Roald Dahl books are at an all-time high. In 2010, a Roald Dahl book was sold every 5 seconds day or night. His work is currently published in 49 languages so we are sure a television version will have huge international appeal.”

Adastra is currently in discussions with UK broadcasters and is keen to talk to further potential UK and international partners.

Commissioned by Cartoon Network and S4C the show will be shot in the Autumn. More news soon!

'Grandpa in My Pocket' repeats continue to be top rating shows on CBeebies in the UK. In the week of the 8th May the show was again the the number one show.

Grandpa in My Pocket rated 25th in the top 30 digital shows in the UK 28th Feb-6th March 2011. This was the only children's show in the top 30. Throughout the launch of Series 3 Grandpa in My Pocket in the UK, the show has rated 2-4 shows in the top 10 of CBeebies shows, always including one show in the top position. Even repeat weeks place Grandpa shows in the top 10.