2003 Archive 
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TriMedia Entertainment Group Inc. (OTC: TMEG - News; "TriMedia"), a developer, producer and distributor of youth-oriented content for music and film entertainment products, and Gerry Anderson Productions plc ("GAP"), a United Kingdom television and film production company for children's programming, announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement for the world-wide multimedia deployment of the New Captain Scarlet Series, exclusive of the United Kingdom.
Gerry Anderson Productions has teamed with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Wonder, the family and children's entertainment division of newly merged Sony BMG Music Entertainment, to launch 26 episodes of the CGI-animated television series Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet. Anderson is considered a global icon in the creation of television programming in the children's and family genres. His series Thunderbirds has been broadcast throughout the world continuously since its initial launch in the 1960s. Other Anderson series such as Stingray (the United Kingdom's first television series produced in color), and the original Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons have not only enjoyed global broadcast runs throughout the 40+ years since their introductions, they were among the very first television series to generate the majority of their revenues in spin-off merchandise sales - a business strategy that is now pursued by the majority of family programming producers throughout the world. Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet, currently in production at the Pinewood Studios outside of London, employs the latest computer graphics imaging (CGI) animation techniques.
Sony BMG Music Entertainment's Sony Wonder division spearheaded the arrangement between Gerry Anderson Productions and the multiple Sony entities that are to participate in the exploitation of the new series.
Sony Pictures Television International will launch the broadcast sale of the series for international territories at MIPCOM 2004 in Cannes, France, October 4-8. Sony Pictures Television will represent the series in the U.S. broadcast market and Sony Pictures Consumer Products will lead the development of licensing and merchandising efforts outside of the United Kingdom. Sony Wonder will distribute the series on video and DVD formats and will work with legendary music producer Chris Schwartz's TriMedia Entertainment Group to develop and release Captain Scarlet-based soundtrack recordings.
Schwartz's TriMedia Entertainment Group was instrumental in facilitating the arrangement between Gerry Anderson Productions and Sony Wonder, and will participate in all revenue streams which result from the partnership. Schwartz is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the history of the music industry, and through his RuffHouse Records, developed the careers of platinum-selling artists such as Kris Kross, Cypress Hill, Lauryn Hill and the Fugees.
"The debut of the new and updated Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet will mark the return of one of the most exciting and influential programs in the history of children's television," commented David Pierce, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Sony Wonder. "The series combines exciting plot lines and time tested characters such as Captain Scarlet and Captain Black with up-to-the-minute CGI animation techniques, and the results are nothing less than spectacular. We anticipate that Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet will be embraced by consumers around the world, and we're delighted to be working with Gerry Anderson, as well as with the Sony Pictures Entertainment team, on the roll-out of this exciting new series."
"Gerry Anderson is a legendary producer with a loyal audience worldwide," said Peter Iacono, Executive Vice President, Distribution, Sony Pictures Television International. "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons was a phenomenal success and we believe that audiences around the world will embrace his innovative use of CGI animation in Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet, just as he captured the imaginations of a generation with the original."
"We are thrilled to be working with famed producer Gerry Anderson on this updated version of one of television's true classics," said Al Ovadia, Executive Vice President, Sony Pictures Consumer Products. "This incredible CGI series provides all the key elements necessary for a successful licensing program: terrific stories, amazing imagery, incredible vehicles, and non-stop action. We are already fielding interest in numerous categories including toys, video games, publishing, collectibles and much, much more."
"When the original Captain Scarlet went on air it was a phenomenal hit from day one!" said series creator and producer Gerry Anderson. "Sony is a world class company and I am tremendously pleased to be working with them to bring the New Captain Scarlet to many homes worldwide. We are proud of being able to use innovative CGI animation to bring this outstanding series to life and with Sony's prowess in media and technology, we make a great team."
An update of the classic 1960s series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet is an action-packed adventure and visual thrill ride using the latest in CGI animation technology. When Spectrum agents Captain Scarlet and Captain Black are sent to investigate mysterious alien signals, Captain Black mistakenly fires an attack. The men are destroyed after the Mysterons retaliate, only to be recreated as agents of evil to destroy Earth. After Black returns from the grave to lead the alien campaign, Scarlet escapes the Mysterons' influence and regains control of his human psyche. But, he also possesses a true alien quality ... he's indestructible. Once friends, the two men now fight each other on opposite sides of good and evil.
Gerry Anderson is best known for his pioneering work in 'supermarionation,' a television and film puppetry technique in which marionettes are connected to mechanisms that allow for synchronized mouth movements for dialogue and other functions. To date Gerry Anderson has made over 600 episodes for worldwide television and is now operating his production company from Pinewood Studios in the UK.
About Gerry Anderson Productions (GAP) plc and Anderson Entertainment Gerry Anderson Productions (GAP) plc is the production company set up in the UK by Margetts Financial Services in 2003 to raise 100% of funds for and to produce Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet. It is the single most successful fundraising of its type for film or television production in UK history.
Anderson Entertainment is Gerry Anderson's production company based at Pinewood Studios in the UK. The company has commenced production of the new series, entitled Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet. This is based on the original series of Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, which was produced by Gerry Anderson in 1967. Many broadcasters in numerous different countries up to the present day have purchased the original series. Gerry Anderson is the creator of the new series and 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 the subject of a BBC book 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 http://www.fanderson.org.uk, which provides extensive listings of Mr. Anderson's work.
In addition to Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet, Anderson Entertainment has two shows in pre-production: Regor the Rescue Dog and A Christmas Miracle. Anderson Entertainment is currently exploring the feasibility of exploiting the back catalogue. Granada Ventures are the master licensees for all of Anderson's original shows.