Production of the highly anticipated Cookie Jar series MUDPIT, set to air on Canada’s TELETOON English and TÉLÉTOON French in Fall 2011, is now underway at downtown Toronto’s CBC studio 40 with an exceptional cast of musically diverse, talented teens.
Currently being shot within the 13,000 square foot ‘state of the art’ studio in downtown Toronto, the series boasts of bringing another quality television production to the Canadian entertainment industry and breaks new ground with cross-over music appeal. With over 20 international awards, Canada’s Guru Studio is brought onboard to produce the incredible CGI animation.
“I focus on producing shows that re-invest in Canadian talent and push the envelope with cutting-edge, creative ideas that stimulate the technologically savvy imaginations of our young audiences. I remain committed to that,” says Michael Hirsh, CEO of Cookie Jar.
Cookie Jar Entertainment’s MUDPIT takes place at the nexus of the social and personal power of music and the appeal of role-playing in a digital world. This CGI animated/live-action series follows four real-world teens and their rock band, MUDPIT, as they follow their dreams of fame and fortune. The series takes place in a gaming café and a fantastic, virtual world known as MUZIKA. Their online avatar rock band personas battle for a coveted record deal, while their real life selves engage in the daily comedy and drama of teenage life.
Hirsh added: “We have partnered with award-winning Canadian based gaming company NDI Media and secured some of the best writers and producers in the entertainment industry for this series. The MUDPIT cast members come from across Canada, with a number of the leads credited with industry nominations and previous leading roles in other Canadian and U.S. major productions.
The MUDPIT series was created by, Jamie Waese. Waese recently spent two years as Head of Current Programming for Cookie Jar Entertainment where he oversaw all creative aspects. He is the producer and co-director of “Gotta Catch Santa Claus,” a one-hour CGI Christmas movie with William Shatner as Santa.
Bruce Kalish is the series Executive Producer/Showrunner. Kalish began his career on the hit ABC comedy series “Mork & Mindy” and has since amassed numerous awards and credentials as a writer/producer. Kalish created, wrote and executive produced Disney XD’s first live-action series, Aaron Stone. He wrote/executive produced “Strange Days at Blake Holsey High,” the hit series “The Fall Guy,” and was writer/executive producer on Disney Channel’s “The Famous Jett Jackson” and “The Famous Jett Jackson Movie,” for which he won a Gemini Award for Best Series.
Leading cast members include Montreal’s own Jesse Rath as band leader Liam/Lamb. Rath’s recurring role on CBC’s “18 To Life” recently earned him a nomination for a Gemini for Best Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Program or Series. Carleigh Beverly who has appeared in “Connor Undercover,” the ABC drama “Rookie Blue” and the Lifetime Original Movie, “Who Is Clark Rockefeller?” backs the crew up as power drummer Geneva/G
Adding to the high calibre of this young talented Canadian cast is Vas Saranga as Reese/Dodge. Saranga is most well known for his recurring role on Disney XD’s “Aaron Stone” as ‘Vas’ and Cartoon Network’s “Unnatural History” as ‘Broxton Garko’.
Rounding out the Canadian cast is Daniel Magder as Mikey/Booch, best known as Edwin from “Life with Derek”. Magder began to learn his craft working with Timothy Hutton. Daniel’s impressive credits also include appearing with Shelley Long in “Vanished Without A Trace (NBC)”, James Garner and Julie Andrews in “One Special Night (CBS)”, and with Jennifer Lopez in “Angel Eyes”.
The cast personally sing the original songs created for the show and perform all their own voice-overs for their avatar personas.
