Timmy takes Aardman into preschool

MIPCOM: Aardman International has launched a brand new stop-motion animated series called Timmy (52×10′) – the company’s first production for the preschool market.

The UK’s CBeebies has already pre-brought the series (left), and Aardman International is now looking to secure further worldwide pre-sales at Mipcom.

The series combines Aardman’s stop-motion animation with a more classic preschool style, with character designs based on sketches by Oscar winner Nick Park.

Each episode follows a day in the life of Timmy In Nursery, in which he learns something new about himself and an assortment of farmyard animal friends. The dialogue-free series features a variety of animal noises and comedy, and is aimed at both boys and girls.

Timmy, age three (in sheep years), first appeared in Aardman’s hit animated series Shaun the Sheep, which has sold to over 150 territories and won several awards, including the Cristal Award for Best TV Production at the Annecy Animated Film Festival earlier this year.

The series is currently in pre-production and is scheduled for transmission in 2009. It is exec-produced by Miles Bullough, with Jackie Cockle as creative producer and supervising director.

Cockle joined Aardman earlier this year from Hot Animation to spearhead the company’s expansion into preschool. Her credits include Bob the Builder, Rocky and the Dodos, Oakie Doke, Noddy and The Wind in the Willows.