Action Annie Superhero, Children's TV Animation Pilot Test 1996
In 1995 Helena Smee, Puppeteer, Writer and Partner in Hands Up Puppets had the idea to create a Short Form TV Animation about a Schoolgirl Superhero. Action Annie who rescues creatures and toys in distress and all during a short break of her walk to School. Helena wanted to combine Live Action Puppets with Cartoon/Animation backgrounds composite together using Green Screen. At the time quite an ambition but with several friends including Puppeteer and Director Mike Quinn it was decided to make a Pilot Test of one of the four Episodes Helena had written called Snow Trouble. Although only partly completely composited it was clear the project had legs and TV companies were approached for commercial interest and feedback. Comments were: 1/The Hero should be changed to a boy. 2/If the Hero remains a Girl she should look like Barbie. 3/The British characters like the Lollipop Lady and Milkman should be removed. These would have changed the project from its important goals of having a Girl Hero, a distinctive and unique looking lead female character and that the TV Series should be unashamedly British. We continued to try to get it Green Lit as we do to this day.
From the Proposal:
Action Annie Superhero, Live Action Puppetry and Drawn Animation. Pre-School TV Series.
Action Annie is Fearless, a Superhero . . . . and 7 years old.
Each exciting episode follows Annie in a different adventure as she travels the world and beyond, to rescue animals and toys in danger and distress.
Annie’s adventures begin on her short walk to school.
As soon as she hears a cry for help, Annie is ready for action. With a stamp of her foot, she makes her whirlwind transformation and ordinary Annie becomes,
Action Annie - Superhero !
But whatever happens,
Annie still manages
to get to school,
just in time.
Action Annie’s adventures take her away to far-away lands, beneath the sea, into space and underground
Action Annie swims, flies, rollerskates, ski’s, tight-rope walks and bunji jumps
Action Annie rescues a frightened fox cub from a runaway sledge, a terrified teddy trapped in a tornado and Rumba, her neighbours dog, from his many dangerous deeds.
Action Annie is fearless, a Superhero . . . and seven years old.
Action Annie - Superhero ! combines a charming traditional narrative with an underscore of exciting music, songs and fun cartoon sound effects.
2D illustrations, 3D puppets and Computer Animation are composited together to form this stimulating, unique and exciting series for young children. Copyright Helena Smee 1995
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