Siriol Productions
Encyclopedia
Calon is a Welsh
animation
Television production based in Cardiff
, who primarily produce animation series in Welsh
for S4C
. The company was formerly known as Siriol Productions.
of Siriol Productions, when Entertainment Rights
moved its head office to London
. Most members of staff stayed with Siriol to help re-establish the company as an independent production company. Deal included all rights to current productions and a few older titles such as Hilltop Hospital, but most right to older series were kept with Entertainment Rights
.
The company currently employs over 40 people and has been a developer of talent in the Welsh animation industry for over 25 years. and continues award-winning animation
production, but has expanded into live-action content for the UK and international markets, and continues co-production with major networks outside the UK.
, Boyd Clack
and Caroline Harker
, with most of the other voices being provided by children.
There are 52 episodes, each 10 minutes long. Its first broadcast was in Wales
under the Welsh title Holi Hana, on 2 April 2007. Its first English broadcast was on Five on 12 June 2007 It has also been broadcast in a selection of other countries - for example it began broadcasting on TVB Pearl
, starting 10 May 2007. Books are available from Random House Children's Books from January 2008, A range of character toys was also developed by Golden Bear Toys
and the first DVD release for Hana's Helpline was in November 2007, with a second compilation released Easter 2008.
) was set up in 1981 by Mike Young
his wife Liz Young, animator Dave Edwards and producer Robin Lyons and based in Cardiff
. The Company was originally created when the three men approached the newly formed Welsh TV channel S4C
and secured a commission to produce an animated series of Superted
(which Mike Young
created). With support from S4C, the partners set up an animation company, Siriol Animation. Superted
was a highly successful with the company winning a prestigious BAFTA award in 1987. Following its success with Superted
the company was commissioned by S4C to produce another series Wil Cwac Cwac
. This in turn was followed by further commissions from S4C for half hour specials. In its early years, the company worked exclusively for S4C and Robin Lyons ( Managing Director) decided to broaden its customer base and to move into co-productions and formed Siriol Productions in 1988. In 1989 Mike Young
left the company to moved to the USA and set up his own company Mike Young Productions
.
Siriol move into co-productions proved successful, resulting in such productions as ‘The Princess and the Goblin’, an 80 minute film made with Hungary’s Pannonia Films, and ‘Under Milk Wood’ a 50 minute TV special using the 1950s voice recording by Richard Burton. These productions enabled Robin Lyons to develop extensive contacts throughout the animation industry, both with broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV, and with other leading animation studios. In 1989, Siriol, together with three other animation studios in France, Germany and Belgium formed the EVA co-productions grouping under the EC’s CARTOON programme, part of its MEDIA initiative. EVA was the first grouping established under this initiative. The group set up co-productions with major European broadcasters, typically with the BBC in Britain, FR3 and Canal Plus in France, ZDF and WDR in Germany. It also made coproductions with other European partners, as well as with American and Canadian coproducers.
Within two year the grouping set up its own distribution company, EVA Distribution Ltd, headed up by Steve Walsh, the former head of co-productions at Goldcrest Films
. In 1995, EVA Distribution Ltd received substantial private investment, and attracted top executives from BBC Childrens’ International, Mikael Shields and Tony Stern EVA Distribution Ltd made many series and specials, ( the group’s major productions were controlled creatively by Siriol) which were sold to over fifty different countries on five continents. which included “Robert Creep”, “Tales Of The Tooth Fairies”, “Billy The Cat” (group’s largest project) and “Romuald the Reindeer]” Later two were produced by Robin Lyons. When EVA Entertainment was sold to Pearsons, Siriol formed other alliances with Scottish Television and SKD Media plc.
In 1998, Siriol was brought over by SleepyKids(Which was renamed Entertainment Rights
in 2000) with Robin Lyons expaning his role within the new company. In 2005 a management buyout lead by Robin Lyons took place for Siriol Productions
and was renamed Calon.
Siriol has set up two subdivisions. One was Blunt Pictures, which produces animation that is not necessarily for children. Blunt Pictures has made a short film for Channel 4, “Dee’s Dish Of The Day”, and is currently producing a series, “Stonehouse Reunion”, also for Channel 4. Also in production is “Days Of Deliverance”, a commission for S4C. Blunt has also developed a low budget feature, “360”, which has attracted funding from the Film panel of the Welsh Lottery, and several web-based animation projects, including “Once Upon A Morgue” and “Deadenders”. The other subdivisions was a web design subdivision, Piczled, which has designed the official Basil Brush website, design of fun-fair rides for Chessington World of Adventures and Alton Towers and worked on other sites for Siriol and Entertainment Rights.
Comedy
screened on Channel 4
in December 2001 created by Blunt Films, the adult animation division of Siriol. It was written by Paul Rose
.
The voice of Knife was provided by ex Monty Python
member Terry Jones
, whilst the part of his wife, Janine, was voiced by actress Jessica Stevenson
. Kevin Eldon, Ruth Jones
, Paul Putner
and Brian Murphy
also appeared. The programme was part of the Channel Four Comedy Lab
try-out project, which had spawned several successful series including Trigger Happy TV
and That Peter Kay Thing
. No full series followed.
and The Little Engine That Could. Kalisto barely lasted a year before Bookers bought the rights back.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
animation
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
Television production based in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, who primarily produce animation series in Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
for S4C
S4C
S4C , currently branded as S4/C, is a Welsh television channel broadcast from the capital, Cardiff. The first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh-speaking audience, it is the fifth oldest British television channel .The channel - initially broadcast on...
. The company was formerly known as Siriol Productions.
History
Calon was set up following the management buy-out from Entertainment RightsEntertainment Rights
Entertainment Rights Plc was a global media company. Its main role was in children and family television programming.The group was established in 1989 as Sleepykids. In 1999 it become entertainment rights and was focused on the creation and exploitation of major children's characters and brands...
of Siriol Productions, when Entertainment Rights
Entertainment Rights
Entertainment Rights Plc was a global media company. Its main role was in children and family television programming.The group was established in 1989 as Sleepykids. In 1999 it become entertainment rights and was focused on the creation and exploitation of major children's characters and brands...
moved its head office to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Most members of staff stayed with Siriol to help re-establish the company as an independent production company. Deal included all rights to current productions and a few older titles such as Hilltop Hospital, but most right to older series were kept with Entertainment Rights
Entertainment Rights
Entertainment Rights Plc was a global media company. Its main role was in children and family television programming.The group was established in 1989 as Sleepykids. In 1999 it become entertainment rights and was focused on the creation and exploitation of major children's characters and brands...
.
The company currently employs over 40 people and has been a developer of talent in the Welsh animation industry for over 25 years. and continues award-winning animation
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
production, but has expanded into live-action content for the UK and international markets, and continues co-production with major networks outside the UK.
Production
Two series of Hana’s Helpline have been produced for Five’s Milkshake block for preschool children in coproduction with S4C and German broadcaster ZDF. A new series – Igam Ogam – is currently in production for S4C, Five, ZDF Enterprises and the Gaelic Media Service on BBC Alba, and also a puppet show, The Zoo Factor, for CBBC. Live action drama credits include Help ! I’m a Teenage Outlaw for ITV and Nickelodeon. During 2011 ITV asked Calon to created a new sitcom for the channel, and is also working with the Osmonds on creating a film based around the wild westr- Safe House Hotel
- Help! I'm a Teenage OutlawHelp! I'm a Teenage OutlawHelp! I'm A Teenage Outlaw is a British television programme filmed in the Czech Republic and first aired on CITV. The show follows three hapless outlaws during the English Civil War, who are trying to bring justice back to the land.-Synopsis:...
(adventure game show ) - Herio’r Ddraig/Challenge the Dragon
- Big Tatties
- Hana's Helpline
- Sali Mali
- Zoo Factor
- Western Mail
- U-Chronia
- Psi-5
Hana's Helpline
Hana's Helpline is a stop-motion animation series for children, about Hana the duck who runs a telephone helpline for animals with problems. The principal voices are provided by Arabella WeirArabella Weir
Arabella Weir is a British comedian, actress and writer.The daughter of former British ambassador Sir Michael Weir, she is best known for her roles in The Fast Show and for writing several books including the international best seller Does My Bum Look Big In This? Arabella Weir (born 6 December...
, Boyd Clack
Boyd Clack
Boyd Clack is a Welsh writer, actor, and musician.He was born in Vancouver, Canada but grew up in Tonyrefail in Wales. His acting credits include Twin Town, High Hopes and Satellite City. He also co-wrote both High Hopes and Satellite City...
and Caroline Harker
Caroline Harker
Caroline Harker is an English stage and television actress, the sister of actress Susannah Harker, and the daughter of actors Polly Adams and Richard Owens...
, with most of the other voices being provided by children.
There are 52 episodes, each 10 minutes long. Its first broadcast was in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
under the Welsh title Holi Hana, on 2 April 2007. Its first English broadcast was on Five on 12 June 2007 It has also been broadcast in a selection of other countries - for example it began broadcasting on TVB Pearl
TVB Pearl
TVB Pearl is one of the two free television services in Hong Kong that mainly broadcast in the English language, the other being ATV World. It is owned and operated by Television Broadcasts Limited, and together with its sister Cantonese language station TVB Jade, is broadcast from TVB City at 77...
, starting 10 May 2007. Books are available from Random House Children's Books from January 2008, A range of character toys was also developed by Golden Bear Toys
Golden Bear Toys
Golden Bear Products Ltd. was formed in 1979 by John Hales and Christine Nicholls. Golden Bear operates from its headquarters in Telford, Shropshire and opened an office in Hong Kong in 2001.-Products:...
and the first DVD release for Hana's Helpline was in November 2007, with a second compilation released Easter 2008.
Siriol Productions
Siriol Productions ("Siriol" means 'cheerful' in Welsh languageWelsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
) was set up in 1981 by Mike Young
Mike Young (producer)
Michael "Mike" Young , is a Welsh born, US domiciled, Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning animation producer, he is founder of two animation companies in both UK and US. Young is the current COO of MoonScoop.-Biography:...
his wife Liz Young, animator Dave Edwards and producer Robin Lyons and based in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. The Company was originally created when the three men approached the newly formed Welsh TV channel S4C
S4C
S4C , currently branded as S4/C, is a Welsh television channel broadcast from the capital, Cardiff. The first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh-speaking audience, it is the fifth oldest British television channel .The channel - initially broadcast on...
and secured a commission to produce an animated series of Superted
SuperTed
SuperTed is a Welsh teddy bear who has magical super powers. He along with his friend Spotty try to do good. SuperTed was a series of stories created by Mike Young who eventually created a television series based on those stories.-Creation:...
(which Mike Young
Mike Young (producer)
Michael "Mike" Young , is a Welsh born, US domiciled, Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning animation producer, he is founder of two animation companies in both UK and US. Young is the current COO of MoonScoop.-Biography:...
created). With support from S4C, the partners set up an animation company, Siriol Animation. Superted
SuperTed
SuperTed is a Welsh teddy bear who has magical super powers. He along with his friend Spotty try to do good. SuperTed was a series of stories created by Mike Young who eventually created a television series based on those stories.-Creation:...
was a highly successful with the company winning a prestigious BAFTA award in 1987. Following its success with Superted
SuperTed
SuperTed is a Welsh teddy bear who has magical super powers. He along with his friend Spotty try to do good. SuperTed was a series of stories created by Mike Young who eventually created a television series based on those stories.-Creation:...
the company was commissioned by S4C to produce another series Wil Cwac Cwac
Wil Cwac Cwac
Wil Cwac Cwac or Will Quack Quack is a Welsh-language cartoon based on a series of children's books written in the 1920s by Jennie Thomas and J. O. Williams . The cartoon series ran from 1984 to 1986. Both book and cartoon series take place in rural Wales...
. This in turn was followed by further commissions from S4C for half hour specials. In its early years, the company worked exclusively for S4C and Robin Lyons ( Managing Director) decided to broaden its customer base and to move into co-productions and formed Siriol Productions in 1988. In 1989 Mike Young
Mike Young (producer)
Michael "Mike" Young , is a Welsh born, US domiciled, Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning animation producer, he is founder of two animation companies in both UK and US. Young is the current COO of MoonScoop.-Biography:...
left the company to moved to the USA and set up his own company Mike Young Productions
Mike Young Productions
Mike Young Productions LLC is an animation studio that produces children's TV series. It is named after co-founder and partner Mike Young, and is part of the Moonscoop Group...
.
Siriol move into co-productions proved successful, resulting in such productions as ‘The Princess and the Goblin’, an 80 minute film made with Hungary’s Pannonia Films, and ‘Under Milk Wood’ a 50 minute TV special using the 1950s voice recording by Richard Burton. These productions enabled Robin Lyons to develop extensive contacts throughout the animation industry, both with broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV, and with other leading animation studios. In 1989, Siriol, together with three other animation studios in France, Germany and Belgium formed the EVA co-productions grouping under the EC’s CARTOON programme, part of its MEDIA initiative. EVA was the first grouping established under this initiative. The group set up co-productions with major European broadcasters, typically with the BBC in Britain, FR3 and Canal Plus in France, ZDF and WDR in Germany. It also made coproductions with other European partners, as well as with American and Canadian coproducers.
Within two year the grouping set up its own distribution company, EVA Distribution Ltd, headed up by Steve Walsh, the former head of co-productions at Goldcrest Films
Goldcrest Films
Goldcrest Films is a British film production company founded by Jake Eberts in January 1977. It enjoyed great success in the 1980s with films such as Local Hero , The Killing Fields and Hope and Glory mostly produced by David Puttnam on modest budgets. The company also benefited from the new...
. In 1995, EVA Distribution Ltd received substantial private investment, and attracted top executives from BBC Childrens’ International, Mikael Shields and Tony Stern EVA Distribution Ltd made many series and specials, ( the group’s major productions were controlled creatively by Siriol) which were sold to over fifty different countries on five continents. which included “Robert Creep”, “Tales Of The Tooth Fairies”, “Billy The Cat” (group’s largest project) and “Romuald the Reindeer]” Later two were produced by Robin Lyons. When EVA Entertainment was sold to Pearsons, Siriol formed other alliances with Scottish Television and SKD Media plc.
In 1998, Siriol was brought over by SleepyKids(Which was renamed Entertainment Rights
Entertainment Rights
Entertainment Rights Plc was a global media company. Its main role was in children and family television programming.The group was established in 1989 as Sleepykids. In 1999 it become entertainment rights and was focused on the creation and exploitation of major children's characters and brands...
in 2000) with Robin Lyons expaning his role within the new company. In 2005 a management buyout lead by Robin Lyons took place for Siriol Productions
Siriol Productions
Calon is a Welsh animation Television production based in Cardiff, who primarily produce animation series in Welsh for S4C. The company was formerly known as Siriol Productions.- History :...
and was renamed Calon.
Siriol has set up two subdivisions. One was Blunt Pictures, which produces animation that is not necessarily for children. Blunt Pictures has made a short film for Channel 4, “Dee’s Dish Of The Day”, and is currently producing a series, “Stonehouse Reunion”, also for Channel 4. Also in production is “Days Of Deliverance”, a commission for S4C. Blunt has also developed a low budget feature, “360”, which has attracted funding from the Film panel of the Welsh Lottery, and several web-based animation projects, including “Once Upon A Morgue” and “Deadenders”. The other subdivisions was a web design subdivision, Piczled, which has designed the official Basil Brush website, design of fun-fair rides for Chessington World of Adventures and Alton Towers and worked on other sites for Siriol and Entertainment Rights.
Production
- SuperTedSuperTedSuperTed is a Welsh teddy bear who has magical super powers. He along with his friend Spotty try to do good. SuperTed was a series of stories created by Mike Young who eventually created a television series based on those stories.-Creation:...
(1982–1986, TV), - Wil Cwac CwacWil Cwac CwacWil Cwac Cwac or Will Quack Quack is a Welsh-language cartoon based on a series of children's books written in the 1920s by Jennie Thomas and J. O. Williams . The cartoon series ran from 1984 to 1986. Both book and cartoon series take place in rural Wales...
(1984) - A Winter Story (1986, TV)
- The Easter Egg (1987, TV)
- Turkey Love (1988, TV)
- The Further Adventures of Super Ted (with Hanna-BarberaHanna-BarberaHanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. was an American animation studio that dominated North American television animation during the second half of the 20th century...
) 1989 - Gerald of Wales
- Space Baby
- The Princess and the GoblinThe Princess and the Goblin (film)The Princess and the Goblin is a 1992 European animated fantasy film directed by József Gémes. It is an adaptation of 1872 novel of the same name by George MacDonald....
(1992) - Santa’s First Christmas
- Under Milk WoodUnder Milk WoodUnder Milk Wood is a 1954 radio drama by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, adapted later as a stage play. A movie version, Under Milk Wood directed by Andrew Sinclair, was released during 1972....
(1992: Distributed theatrically in over 25 countries, including USA. Won a 1992 BAFTA Cymru award) - Tales of the Tooth Fairies (1993, TV)
- Santa and the Tooth Fairies (1993, TV)
- Hurricanes (1993-96, TV
- Robert Creep (1994, Best Special Award at the 1994 Treviso Festival)
- Romuald the ReindeerRomuald the ReindeerRomuald the Reindeer was a 1996 animated series, created by Robin Lyons and Andrew Offiler, and produced by Siriol Productions and La Fabrique. It focuses on the adventures of a Christmas reindeer named Romuald, a character who had previously appeared in Siriol productions/La Fabriques' thirty...
(1996, TV) - Billy The CatBilly the CatBilly the Cat is the title of a Franco-Belgian comic strip by the Belgian Stéphane Colman and Stephen Desberg, as well as an animated cartoon adaptation, amongst others...
(1996, TV) - The BlobsThe BlobsThe Blobs is an animated television series based on the books by DC Thomson, published in 1980. It tells the story of a community of colorful paint-splash characters who live in Paintbox Land...
(1997–1998, TV) - Hilltop HospitalHilltop HospitalHilltop Hospital was an claymation childrens television programme made in 1999. It consisted of 52 ten minute shorts. The series was directed by Pascal Le Nôtre and produced in English, French , German and Dutch . The series was adapted from a series of books by Nicholas Allan of the same name...
(1999–2002, TV: Has awards in Italy, France and the USA, and was nominated for a BAFTA - 2001) - Meeow!Meeow!Meeow! is an animated children's series based on the books by Aileen Paterson, produced in both English and Gaelic. Scottish Television in association with The Gaelic Committee, decided to make the book in to a cartoon series, with Siriol Animation doing the animation. Meeow was narrations by...
(2000, TV) - Knife and Wife (2001, TV)
- Sali MaliSali MaliSali Mali is a popular Welsh children's book and television character, originally created by author Mary Vaughan Jones and illustrated by Rowena Wyn Jones during the 1960s and 1970s. Many Welsh-speaking children learnt to read by reading Sali Mali books....
- Maisie Dough (2003)
- Drums of Noto Hanto
- Fireman SamFireman SamFireman Sam is a Welsh animated children's television series about a fireman called Sam, his fellow firefighters, and other townspeople in the Welsh town of Pontypandy . The original idea for the show came from two ex-firemen from Kent...
(2003-05, TV)
Knife and Wife
Knife and Wife was a one-off half-hour animated BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
screened on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
in December 2001 created by Blunt Films, the adult animation division of Siriol. It was written by Paul Rose
Paul Rose (writer)
Mr. Biffo, real name Paul Rose, was the editor of the Teletext-based video games magazine Digitiser, which ran between 1993 and 2003. He has written for numerous magazines, including Empire, Total Film, .net, Official PlayStation Magazine and Deathray, Retro Gamer, and from 2003 to 2008 wrote a...
.
The voice of Knife was provided by ex Monty Python
Monty Python
Monty Python was a British surreal comedy group who created their influential Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series...
member Terry Jones
Terry Jones
Terence Graham Parry Jones is a Welsh comedian, screenwriter, actor, film director, children's author, popular historian, political commentator, and TV documentary host. He is best known as a member of the Monty Python comedy team....
, whilst the part of his wife, Janine, was voiced by actress Jessica Stevenson
Jessica Stevenson
Jessica Hynes is an English actress and writer. She was known professionally as Jessica Stevenson until 2007.She is possibly best known as one of the creators, writers and stars of the British sitcom Spaced....
. Kevin Eldon, Ruth Jones
Ruth Jones
Ruth Jones is a Welsh TV actress and writer. She starred in and co-wrote the multi-award winning TV comedy Gavin & Stacey and has appeared in many other successful comedies over recent years...
, Paul Putner
Paul Putner
-Life and career:He was born in East Grinstead. He studied at LAMDA where he won, amongst other prizes, the Kenneth More prize for comedy acting.His first significant TV role saw Putner as numerous characters in The Glam Metal Detectives shown on BBC2. His real break in comedy came after he set up...
and Brian Murphy
Brian Murphy (actor)
Brian Murphy is a British actor.Murphy was born in Ventnor, Isle of Wight. Although a prolific actor in many films and theatre productions for almost half a century, Murphy's most famous role was as the henpecked husband George Roper in the sitcom Man About the House and spin-off George and...
also appeared. The programme was part of the Channel Four Comedy Lab
Comedy Lab
Comedy Lab is a British television series which showcases pilots of experimental comedy shows. Series have been aired irregularly on Channel 4 and E4 since 1998....
try-out project, which had spawned several successful series including Trigger Happy TV
Trigger Happy TV
Trigger Happy TV was a hidden camera/practical joke reality television program. The original British edition of the show, produced by Absolutely Productions, starred Dom Joly and ran for two series on the British television channel Channel 4 from 2000 until 2002...
and That Peter Kay Thing
That Peter Kay Thing
That Peter Kay Thing was a series of six spoof documentaries shown on Channel 4 in January 2000. Set in and around Bolton, these followed the lives of different characters and starred Peter Kay as the subject of each documentary. All of the episodes displayed Kay's penchant for nostalgic humour and...
. No full series followed.
Kalisto Ltd
Kalisto Ltd. is a short lived co-venture between the directors of Siriol Animation and Booker-McConnell, to develop a show called Space Baby, which eventually became Fantastic MaxFantastic Max
Fantastic Max is an animated cartoon series created by Kalisto Ltd. and Hanna-Barbera Productions and in association with S4C. It centres on a diaper-wearing toddler with a mohawk named Max , who has adventures in outer space with two of his toys: FX, a pull string alien doll from a planet called...
and The Little Engine That Could. Kalisto barely lasted a year before Bookers bought the rights back.