‘Water and Bubbles’ comprises 52 3-minute episodes

[By NICK VIVARELLI, Variety]

Italy’s cutting-edge Maga Animation Studio is producing the first animated TV series in stereoscopic 3D expected to air on pubcaster RAI, the country’s top broadcaster.

The first known Italian CGI production conceived for 3D TV is the third series of “Acqua in bocca” (Water and Bubbles), about two fish in a tank and their interaction with an Italian family, from helmer Guido Manuli (“Monster Mash”).

Created in tandem with Elena Mora and co-produced by Maga and RAI Fiction, “Water” is a short-format product, each series is 52 three-minute episodes. RAI has been using it as a handy primetime interstitial before big soccer matches or the evening news, and also airing it with other kiddie programming, bundling several episodes together.

“The short format makes it more versatile within TV schedules, and also ideal for the web and other new media,” said Maga topper Massimo Carrier Ragazzi.

Monza and Milan-based Maga has been active for 15 years, always at the forefront of new toon techniques. It has been developing a stereoscopic 3D project for nearly a decade.

At Gaul’s Annecy Animated Film Festival, Maga is seeking international co-production partners for the 3D “Water” series, which will be produced entirely in Italy.

A previous instalment of “Water” won the top nod for TV series for all ages at Italy’s 2008 Cartoon on the Bay TV toon fest.

Besides running on RAI, “Water” has been exported to several international territories, including the U.K. and South Africa.

Maga’s other animated TV properties include the short-form series “Go!Go! Pig!,” which airs on Nickelodeon in Italy, Teuve in Spain, EBS in South Korea and Power International Media in Taiwan.

See the original post here: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118038301?refCatId=14