New toon division for Tiger Aspect

UK independent Tiger Aspect Productions is building on its recent forays into animation by launching a dedicated division, with a new copro with Cartoon Pizza of the US in the pipeline.

Headed up by Claudia Lloyd, ex creative director of comedy and entertainment at Tiger, the division will comprise five execs, including producer Chris Skala and line producer Catherine Elliot.

Skala is currently developing Earth Kid with stateside animation outfit Cartoon Pizza, a show aimed at kids 6-12. Tiger is currently in negotiations with several UK and international partners to get the project into production within the year.

Lloyd intends to co-produce only two or three mainstream children's and family specials and series a year. {Tiger Aspect can produce great scripts and attract talent but we can't draw for toffee. One of the most exciting prospects is teaming up with some of the best animation talent from around the world.{

Tiger Aspect's previous excursions into animation have resulted in the £10m project Bean – the Animated Series (26×30'), to be aired in the UK by ITV and distributed by Fremantle. Richard Purdum Productions and Varga are co-producing.

Also, a BBC1 toon Bosom Pals, based on the art of Beryl Cook, has just gone into production, with GSCF and Varga co-producing.