Master Raindrop(Big Communication)
About the project:
Master Raindrop is based on a series of Asian myths and legends. Take a surreal road trip with a group of high-spirited, 12-year old martial arts novices as they meet a variety of weird and wacky creatures from Asian folklore. Battle with them as they try to save their peaceful land from an evil general and his army of terracotta warriors. The series is produced by Big Communications (Singapore), Flying Bark Productions (Australia) and Flux Animation (New Zealand).
Challenges:
It was very difficult initially to get Master Raindrop off the ground internationally, as the international broadcasters and distributors were hesitant to take it on – Singapore was not really known for any animation hits then and Big Communications had no track record in the animation industry.
With MDA's support:
Master Raindrop was supported by MDA through SCREEN, which is targeted at assisting the international co-production of animated content.
The MDA's co-investment scheme provided the company with the finances to produce Master Raindrop, without which, it would have had to expend time and effort to seek financing elsewhere. The backing of MDA also gave Big Communications the leverage to negotiate with the big players.
The meeting with Flux Animation happened in December 2003 when the MDA led a group of local media companies on a mission trip to New Zealand to explore co-production opportunities. Big Communications was part of this delegation, and it was during this trip that it struck a working relationship with Flux Animation. Subsequently, it was Flux Animation that connected Big Communications with Yoram Gross (now Flying Bark Productions).
Outcome:
Master Raindrop is currently being aired in Network 7 in Australia. The distributors EM-Entertainment and Studio 100 are actively marketing the series internationally. A number of European and Asian broadcasters have already expressed their interest to air the series.
Plans are also underway to licence and merchandise Master Raindrop, create an interactive portal, as well as develop an Internet game. MDA continues to promote the series in its publicity and has also been active in referring the property to international broadcasters and distributors alike.