Tag: television

Mimi And The Mountain Dragon to be ‘BBC One festive treat’

Airing this winter on BBC One, a special 2D animated adaptation of Sir Michael Morpurgo’s children’s book Mimi And The Mountain Dragon is to have its television premiere this festive period as part of a wider literature focus on the BBC in 2019-20.

The (1×25’) story on BBC One will have an introduction from the award winning writer himself, Sir Michael Morpurgo (War Horse), and will be narrated through classical music in an original score written by Oscar award-winning composer, Rachel Portman (The Little Prince). It will be performed by the BBC Philharmonic featuring singers from the Hallé’s family of choirs and will be recorded at Media City UK, Salford.

Based on original illustrations by Emily Gravett and adapted for the screen by novelist, poet, and playwright, Owen Sheers, Mimi and the Mountain Dragon is a story about a village that quakes in fear of the mighty Mountain Dragon. One winter, a shy little girl called Mimi finds a tiny baby dragon asleep in her family woodshed. Mimi takes the perilous journey through blizzard and darkness to return the baby dragon to her mother who all the villagers fear.

The newly animated film from Leopard Pictures and Factory started life when Jan Younghusband, Head of Commissioning for BBC Music TV, approached Sir Michel Morpurgo and asked him if he would write a children’s story that could be set to classical music for BBC television. Inspired by a trip to a village in Switzerland some years before, Michael Morpurgo wrote Mimi And The Mountain Dragon which was also released as a children’s book.

The programme is commissioned by Head of BBC Music TV Commissioning, Jan Younghusband, for Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content. The project is also supported by Alice Webb, Director, BBC Children’s & Education, and is executive produced by Leopard Chief Creative Officer, Kristian Smith and Phil Chalk for Bafta-winning studio Factory.

Charlotte Moore, Director BBC Content, says: “We’re delighted to be bringing this enchanting mix of music and storytelling to BBC One this Christmas.

“Sir Michael Morpurgo’s wonderful book will be perfectly complemented by the music of Rachel Portman, The BBC Philharmonic and singers from the Hallé’s family of choirs – a real festive treat for all the family.”

Sir Michael Morpurgo says: “Many years ago, in the Engadine Valley in Switzerland, I saw village children in red hats, cracking whips, ringing cowbells, banging drums, creating a great cacophony of noise, as they paraded up through the village. I asked why this was happening. They are driving away wicked spirits, I was told. So began my story of Mimi And The Mountain Dragon.

“And now, extraordinarily, wonderfully, this little story is being made into an animated film, by Leopard Pictures and Factory Create. And what a team BBC Music have put together. There is music by Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman, a script by Owen Sheers, the great Welsh poet (so he knows a thing or two about dragons!) and with magical drawings from the supremely talented Emily Gravett. I can’t wait to see it!”

Jan Younghusband, Head of BBC Music Commissioning for Television, says: “At the BBC we have a proud heritage of finding new ways to introduce children to classical music, stretching right back to Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide To The Orchestra, The BBC’s Ten Pieces project and now Mimi And The Mountain Dragon.

“It is an honour to work with Sir Michael Morpurgo, Rachel Portman, Owen Sheers, Emily Gravett, Leopard, Factory, The BBC Philharmonic and Hallé’s family of choirs to bring classical music to audiences everywhere with this film.”

Kristian Smith Chief Creative Officer Leopard Pictures, says: “Mimi And The Mountain Dragon is truly born of love. With countless awards and prizes each, author Sir Michael Morpurgo, composer Rachel Portman, writer Owen Sheers and illustrator Emily Gravett have united their exceptional and exquisite talents to create a timeless, magical story. How lucky am I to get to hang on their coat tails?

“We had the great privilege of partnering with a company I deeply admire in Factory, who are bringing the animation to life. This is a beautiful film, all set to Rachel’s phenomenal original music.”

Phil Chalk, Managing Director of Factory, says: “We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Leopard Pictures and the BBC in making this magical 2D animated special of Mimi And The Mountain Dragon. It’s such a wonderful story by Sir Michael Morpurgo, which we can’t wait to bring to life!”

You’re hired! Tom Allen is the new Host of The Apprentice: You’re Fired

Comedian, writer and actor Tom Allen is the new host of BBC Two’s The Apprentice: You’re Fired, the popular companion show to The Apprentice, the series which sees candidates compete to go into business with Lord Sugar.

Continue reading You’re hired! Tom Allen is the new Host of The Apprentice: You’re Fired

BBC and ITV join forces: Get ready for BritBox

FULL STREAM AHEAD
ITV and the BBC have now signed an agreement to launch BritBox in the UK in the fourth quarter of this year. This is a bold, new step for ITV and BBC as they seek to work together to offer something ‘fresh and distinctive’ to the public.

Continue reading BBC and ITV join forces: Get ready for BritBox

Popular characters to return to Holby City as part of 20th anniversary celebrations

2019 has already been a major year at Holby City as it continues to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Now, Paul Bradley (above) is amongst the latest set of classic characters confirmed to grace the hospital wards once again, returning to BBC One’s long-running drama series as Elliot Hope for its 1000th episode.
  • Patricia Potter returning as Diane Lloyd
  • Tan twins storyline from 2008 to be revisited

Coming back for a total of five episodes, Elliot visits the hospital to see his old friend and protégé Jac, or so he tells her, but it won’t be long before his ulterior motive is unveiled and his old colleagues discover the real reason behind his return.

Continue reading Popular characters to return to Holby City as part of 20th anniversary celebrations

All you need to know about Game of Thrones – and Doune Castle’s been renamed

SPOILER ALERT !!!

After eight seasons, Game of Thrones has finally come to an end, as fans got to see who ended up on the Iron Throne. And it seems as though people aren’t happy with how things turned out. As of Tuesday morning, the season 8 finale was the worst rated episode in the show’s history, with an IMDb rating of just 4.4 out of 10.  Continue reading All you need to know about Game of Thrones – and Doune Castle’s been renamed

This is Scotland: STV to screen documentaries by upcoming Scottish filmmakers

STV will broadcast two brand new, 30-minute documentaries as part of This is Scotland, a documentary and new talent initiative run by the Scottish Documentary Institute (SDI) in association with Screen Scotland. Continue reading This is Scotland: STV to screen documentaries by upcoming Scottish filmmakers