TriMedia Entertainment Group and Gerry Anderson Productions plc have signed a deal which allows for US distribution of the new Captain Scarlet CGI series. I suppose we ought to start calling it "Captain Scarlet - The Return of the Mysterons". Full press release below.
TriMedia Entertainment Enters Agreement with Gerry Anderson Productions plc for New Captain Scarlet Series
PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 15, 2004--TriMedia Entertainment Group, Inc. ("TriMedia") (OTCBB:TMEG) and Gerry Anderson Productions plc, a United Kingdom company, have entered a memorandum of understanding with respect to a co-venture for the development, production, distribution and marketing of the new Captain Scarlet television and entertainment series and mutual investments.
The terms and conditions of the transaction include broadcast placement of the new Captain Scarlet television and entertainment series - "Captain Scarlet - The Return of the Mysterons," merchandising of Captain Scarlet related products, DVD home video distribution and sales, computer and video gaming and such other opportunities for the international branding of Captain Scarlet as shall be contained in a definitive agreement between the parties. It is anticipated that TriMedia's co-venture partner, Sony Music Entertainment, will be partnering in the project with its Sony Wonder division and the family of Sony companies on the development and exploitation of the Captain Scarlet branded property. The financial terms of this relationship will be defined in a definitive agreement that the parties are presently negotiating.
"Captain Scarlet - The Return of the Mysterons." The original Captain Scarlet series was created using puppets and the technique known as "supermarionation." The new series is being created using computer graphic imagery animation technology which is often abbreviated CGI. This production process has been used by Pixar and others to create a number of recent animation films including Toy Story, Monsters Inc. and Shrek. "Captain Scarlet - The Return of the Mysterons" will be an entirely new series. It is intended that the new series, utilizing CGI, will be significantly modernized while retaining the character and flavor of the original series.
Chris Schwartz, CEO and President of TriMedia stated, "We are honored to participate with Gerry Anderson, one of the world's leading artisans in his craft, in developing the international brand for Captain Scarlet. The combination of Gerry Anderson's creativity and state-of-the-art high definition animated production and production facilities, Sony's global strength in providing a one-stop global solution to develop Captain Scarlet product iterations across all media platforms, ability to define and launch a business management strategy leveraging Sony's market strength in each category and our ability at TriMedia to converge the film and music world's independently with vertical and street marketing expertise will prove to be of great benefit for all involved. I believe that a cross pollination of creative properties in multiple media formats with a vertical market approach allows companies to maximize the return for their investment in creative properties and talents and will prove to be the economic engine for our industry in the future."
Gerry Anderson, Chairman of Gerry Anderson Productions, said "we believe that TriMedia is well placed to develop the Captain Scarlet New Series through their close relationship with Sony. Chris Schwartz has an excellent track record with a career that has spanned 20 years and generated more than one billion in revenues in conjunction with Sony. I believe that Chris and TriMedia have the skills and experience which we are seeking and I am looking forward to building a relationship which I'm sure will be highly rewarding."
About TriMedia
TriMedia is a multimedia entertainment group with a focus on developing entertainment content. TriMedia's areas of operation presently include a recording studio, a film production operation, record label operations and music publishing division.
About Gerry Anderson Productions plc
Gerry Anderson Productions plc was established in February 2003 to produce UK television programs and films for distribution in the worldwide market. Specifically, the company has commenced production of the first episodes of a new series, provisionally entitled "Captain Scarlet - The Return of the Mysterons." This is based on the original series of Captain Scarlet, which was produced by Gerry Anderson in 1967. Many broadcasters in numerous different countries up to present day have purchased the original series. Gerry Anderson is Chairman of Gerry Anderson Productions; his work is familiar to millions, from series such as Thunderbirds, Joe 90, Fireball XL5 and Stingray amongst others. He has produced or co-produced 17 television productions and three films. His work has primarily been created for children. Mr. Anderson's career has spanned several decades and is subject of a BBC book currently available entitled "What Made Thunderbirds Go!" which is his authorized biography. The enthusiasm, which exists for his work, has led to the creation of "Fanderson" which is the official Gerry Anderson fan club. The website address is www.fanderson.org.uk which provides extensive listings of Mr. Anderson's work.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about TriMedia that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any other future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "continue," or the negative of such terms or similar expressions. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, risks associated with TriMedia's future growth and operating results, the uncertainty associated with obtaining sufficient financing, the uncertainty of market acceptance of TriMedia's products, technological change, competitive factors and general economic conditions, and those issues identified from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings and other public documents. Except as otherwise required to be disclosed in current and periodic reports required to be filed by companies registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, TriMedia has no duty and undertakes no obligation to update such statements after the date hereof.