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Revision as of 18:36, 1 November 2010 by 65.29.145.19 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) 2009 New Zealand TV series or program| The WotWots | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Martin Baynton Richard Taylor |
| Written by | Terri Baynton Martin Baynton Theo Baynton John Carr Janice Marriott Peter Salmon |
| Directed by | Theo Baynton |
| Voices of | Nathalie Boltt Martin Baynton Janet Roddick |
| Narrated by | Martin Baynton Nicholas Parsons (UK) |
| Composer | David Long |
| Country of origin | New Zealand |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Martin Baynton Richard Taylor Tania Rodger |
| Producers | Andrew Smith Jan Haynes |
| Production companies | Pukeko Pictures Weta Workshop |
| Original release | |
| Network | TV2 |
| Release | 23 March 2009 – Present |
The WotWots is a New Zealand children's television show which debuted in 2009.
The show features two aliens, named SpottyWot and DottyWot, who spend their days exploring a zoo where their steam-powered spaceship has landed.This show also plays on Canada's Treehouse TV which played in early 2010.
Production
The WotWots is produced by Pukeko Pictures, a production company founded by filmmaker Richard Taylor and children's author Martin Baynton. The puppet-like WotWots characters are computer-animated over live-action footage by Weta Workshop, the visual effects company founded by Taylor, and well-known for its work on the The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
The series is filmed on location at several zoos: Auckland Zoo, Wellington Zoo (in New Zealand) and Melbourne Zoo (in Australia).
Co-creator Martin Baynton also narrates the series, interacting with the WotWots by asking them questions and translating their speech for the viewer. In the UK, the narration is performed by Nicholas Parsons. Baynton also provides the voice for SpottyWot, while South African actress Nathalie Boltt voices DottyWot. Janet Roddick voices the WotWot's computer, but her voice is replaced by that of Fiona Lewis in the UK version.
Broadcast details
The WotWots made its debut in New Zealand on 23 March 2009 on the TV2 channel of the TVNZ network.
In Australia, the series debuted on ABC1 and ABC2, two channels of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, on 16 April 2009.
In the United Kingdom, the series began on 8 June on Five.
In Poland, the series began on 1 December 2009 on MiniMini, as Kitka and Pompon.
In Canada, the series began airing on Treehouse TV on 22 February 2010.
In the US, the series now airs on Hub-Bub, a replacement for Discovery Kids.
Merchandise
Playskool, a toy brand of Hasbro, is licensed to produce the WotWots toy range, and the toys were launched on 2 September 2009.
References
- Join the WotWots at Auckland Zoo, Weta Workshop, 2009.
- The WotWots children's tv show set to launch on TV2, 4 March 2009.
- The WotWots - new to ABC for Kids, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 6 April 2009.
- The WotWots, Five.
- Alien twins discover 'Wots' new at the zoo, 18 February 2010.
- Playskool To Launch Long Awaited WotWots, Scoop.co.uk, 3 August 2009.