Clockwork Zoo (Company)
Encyclopedia
Clockwork Zoo, is the world's largest animation studio in South Africa
.
After creating the local action-adventure teen show Urbo: The Adventures of Pax Afrika
, the company produced the animation for several international television series, including the fifth season of Caillou
co-produced with the Cookie Jar Group, Monsieur Bébé for Xilam
, and the Playhouse Disney
series Florrie's Dragons, co-produced by Wish Films.
, the young animation division quickly grew to 30 people, producing 104 half hour episodes. After a move from local to more international work and a change from Flash to Toon Boom as preferred medium, the studio worked on Mr Bebe (Xilam, France), Happy Valley
(Dinamo, Wales) and storyboards for Wibbly Pig
(Wish Films, UK).
In 2009, Clockwork Zoo co-produced 26 season 5 half hour episodes of Caillou
with Cookie Jar
(Canada) significantly raising the bar on previous seasons. The Caillou franchise has sold in every continent and made $40 million in sales so far.
were “thrilled” with the result. Clockwork Zoo provided development, design, script, storyboard, build, background, animatics, layout, animation and HD video post on Florries Dragons.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
After creating the local action-adventure teen show Urbo: The Adventures of Pax Afrika
URBO: The Adventures of Pax Afrika
URBO: The Adventures of Pax Afrika is a South African science fiction animated television series created by the animation department of Octagon CSI, which later became Clockwork Zoo. It started airing in October 2006, and ran until November 2009...
, the company produced the animation for several international television series, including the fifth season of Caillou
Caillou
Caillou is a Canadian children's television show based on the books by author Christine L'Heureux and illustrator Hélène Desputeaux. Many of the stories in the animated version began with a grandmother introducing the story to her grandchildren, then reading the story about the book...
co-produced with the Cookie Jar Group, Monsieur Bébé for Xilam
Xilam
Xilam is a French production company that specializes in animated series feature films. Originally founded as Gaumont Multimédia, the company adopted it's current name in 1999...
, and the Playhouse Disney
Playhouse Disney
Playhouse Disney was Disney Channel's television block for programs aimed at entertaining preschool aged children, often airing as its own channel outside the United States. It was introduced in 1997 after Disney Channel's move to basic cable from premium cable, with a target audience of children...
series Florrie's Dragons, co-produced by Wish Films.
2005-2009: Early Career
Clockwork Zoo is Africa’s largest animation studio and home to several of South Africa’s most prolific storytellers and content creators. Starting in 2005 with URBO: The Adventures of Pax AfrikaURBO: The Adventures of Pax Afrika
URBO: The Adventures of Pax Afrika is a South African science fiction animated television series created by the animation department of Octagon CSI, which later became Clockwork Zoo. It started airing in October 2006, and ran until November 2009...
, the young animation division quickly grew to 30 people, producing 104 half hour episodes. After a move from local to more international work and a change from Flash to Toon Boom as preferred medium, the studio worked on Mr Bebe (Xilam, France), Happy Valley
Happy Valley
-Canada:* Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador* Happy Valley, Greater Sudbury, Ontario* Happy Valley, King, Ontario* Happy Valley, British Columbia, in the Western Communities area of Greater Victoria, British Columbia* Happy Valley No...
(Dinamo, Wales) and storyboards for Wibbly Pig
Wibbly Pig
Wibbly Pig is the title character of a series of picture books for babies and very young children, written and illustrated by Mick Inkpen. The series includes titles such as Wibbly Pig Likes Bananas and Is It Bedtime Wibbly Pig?...
(Wish Films, UK).
In 2009, Clockwork Zoo co-produced 26 season 5 half hour episodes of Caillou
Caillou
Caillou is a Canadian children's television show based on the books by author Christine L'Heureux and illustrator Hélène Desputeaux. Many of the stories in the animated version began with a grandmother introducing the story to her grandchildren, then reading the story about the book...
with Cookie Jar
Cookie jar
Cookie jars are utilitarian or decorative ceramic or glass jars often found in American and Canadian kitchens. In the United Kingdom, they are known as biscuit barrels or biscuit jars. If they are made out tin, they are called biscuit tins...
(Canada) significantly raising the bar on previous seasons. The Caillou franchise has sold in every continent and made $40 million in sales so far.
2010-present: Later Career
In 2010, the company co-produced Florries Dragons with Wish Films (UK) for initial broadcast on the Disney Channel UK. The 52 x 10min series about a princess and her 6 pet dragons has gained a great deal of attention and Playhouse DisneyPlayhouse Disney
Playhouse Disney was Disney Channel's television block for programs aimed at entertaining preschool aged children, often airing as its own channel outside the United States. It was introduced in 1997 after Disney Channel's move to basic cable from premium cable, with a target audience of children...
were “thrilled” with the result. Clockwork Zoo provided development, design, script, storyboard, build, background, animatics, layout, animation and HD video post on Florries Dragons.
Awards
The company won the prestigious 2010 Cape Film Commission Imbongi trophies in both Training & Development and Animation.External links
- Clockwork Zoo Official Website
- Clockwork Zoo on IMDb
- Clockwork Zoo on AnimationSA