The Jim Henson Company has acquired the rights to John Chandler's The Skrumps. The company plans to create projects for both the Web and television with the quirky little monsters, including an animated program for television that will utilize the Henson Digital Performance Studio that allows puppeteers to manipulate CG characters in real-time.
The company has also added some new characters to the mix, such as Wishbone, lead singer of the band Grumblebelly, and Raisins, his adoring fan. You can see a music video featuring the characters on Yahoo Kids, as well as some video blogs. The new project is executive produced by Brian Henson, Lisa Henson, John Chandler and Craig Bartlett, creator of Hey, Arnold! Bartlett will also be a writer for the new project.
Based on the videos, I think little kids will probably love The Skrumps if they don't already know about the line of toys and books. The "real-time" animation technique is also interesting, if not somewhat limiting when compared to traditional animation.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-22-2007 @ 4:38AM
Calliope said...
Gosh - as much as I love pretty much everything the Henson Co. has ever made, I am not so sure about this endeavor. I guess if some people enjoy the Teletubbies, maybe they will like this as well???
It worries me a bit. Overly generic pop culture references just seem beneath what I have come to recognize as the Henson standard. For example, Mirror Mask was completely brilliant and innovative. These plasticine looking Skrumps do not appear to have the warmth and charm that will make them an enduring part of the heart. Most people can love Kermit, etc. - but to want to cuddle and relate to a lump of something that looks like it was cold pressed out of a recycling facility(?), just seems to lack genuine charm.
Heck. What do I know? I could be completely wrong. But everything in my humble heart tells me that the Henson Co. could continue to exemplify a higher standard in characters and story lines that could last forever. These Skrumps do not seem (from the blurbs above) to have that magical quality that will make them be remembered throughout all time.
But, maybe that's just me.
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