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Dennis the Menace to get CGI makeover as Beano targets YouTube generation Dennis the Menace to get CGI makeover as Beano targets YouTube generation
(about 1 hour later)
Dennis the Menace is to get a TV makeover and possibly a movie as part of a digital re-imagining of the Beano’s characters for the YouTube generation.Dennis the Menace is to get a TV makeover and possibly a movie as part of a digital re-imagining of the Beano’s characters for the YouTube generation.
The 78-year-old Beano, holder of the Guinness World record for longest-running weekly comic, is to launch a digital entertainment hub this autumn for seven- to-10-year-olds.The 78-year-old Beano, holder of the Guinness World record for longest-running weekly comic, is to launch a digital entertainment hub this autumn for seven- to-10-year-olds.
Beano.com, which will also offer content through YouTube and PopJam, will become the digital home of the magazine’s vast array of hit characters including Minnie the Minx and Bananaman.Beano.com, which will also offer content through YouTube and PopJam, will become the digital home of the magazine’s vast array of hit characters including Minnie the Minx and Bananaman.
“We are taking an incredibly well-known brand and expanding it for the 21st century,” said Emma Scott, chief executive of Beano Studios.“We are taking an incredibly well-known brand and expanding it for the 21st century,” said Emma Scott, chief executive of Beano Studios.
“We are taking the Beano spirit, we aren’t simply trying to transfer the comic online. And we will marry it with the best of the web, commissions from independent producers, YouTube, user-generated content – whatever fits with the Beano ethos.”“We are taking the Beano spirit, we aren’t simply trying to transfer the comic online. And we will marry it with the best of the web, commissions from independent producers, YouTube, user-generated content – whatever fits with the Beano ethos.”
Beano Studios, the standalone business set up by parent company DC Thomson to house the new digital venture, will create and curate kids’ entertainment from film and TV and a social media-style digital platform to consumer products and live theatre.Beano Studios, the standalone business set up by parent company DC Thomson to house the new digital venture, will create and curate kids’ entertainment from film and TV and a social media-style digital platform to consumer products and live theatre.
Content will include everything from video stories to “light touch” news, listicles and games.Content will include everything from video stories to “light touch” news, listicles and games.
“Only 18% of parents feel there are enough safe, good quality digital destinations for kids,” says Scott, the former managing director of ITV and BBC joint TV venture Freesat.“Only 18% of parents feel there are enough safe, good quality digital destinations for kids,” says Scott, the former managing director of ITV and BBC joint TV venture Freesat.
“We’re here to change that. To build a safe, trusted world full of cheekiness and energy where kids can be themselves, have fun and live in the moment.”“We’re here to change that. To build a safe, trusted world full of cheekiness and energy where kids can be themselves, have fun and live in the moment.”
James Neal, director of content at Beano Studios, describes the new digital destination as “like a fun but trusted babysitter who lets the kids stay up a bit late”.James Neal, director of content at Beano Studios, describes the new digital destination as “like a fun but trusted babysitter who lets the kids stay up a bit late”.
Beano Studios is currently working with broadcast partners to develop a new TV series, Dennis and Gnasher – Unleashed!Beano Studios is currently working with broadcast partners to develop a new TV series, Dennis and Gnasher – Unleashed!
The series, which will consist of 52 11-minute parts, promises see the 10-year-old Dennis “aged up a bit” visually in his first CGI animation makeover. The series, which will consist of 52 11-minute parts, will see the 10-year-old Dennis “aged up a bit” visually in his first CGI animation makeover.
Previous series, the last of which aired in 2013 on the BBC, showed Dennis in two-dimensional graphics.Previous series, the last of which aired in 2013 on the BBC, showed Dennis in two-dimensional graphics.
The company also hints that a Dennis-led Beano movie may be in the works, with Beano Studios “exploring plans” to take its characters to “bigger screens and stages worldwide”.The company also hints that a Dennis-led Beano movie may be in the works, with Beano Studios “exploring plans” to take its characters to “bigger screens and stages worldwide”.
Meanwhile, Beano magazine, which sells 38,000 copies a week in the UK, is also set for a makeover.Meanwhile, Beano magazine, which sells 38,000 copies a week in the UK, is also set for a makeover.
The magazine brand will come under the auspices of Beano Studios with a promise that it will stay “true to its classic comic-strip roots with a refreshed approach and more wide-ranging characters.”The magazine brand will come under the auspices of Beano Studios with a promise that it will stay “true to its classic comic-strip roots with a refreshed approach and more wide-ranging characters.”
The Beano is officially a record breaker! We're the longest-running comic published weekly! @GWR pic.twitter.com/FOlshz0fbpThe Beano is officially a record breaker! We're the longest-running comic published weekly! @GWR pic.twitter.com/FOlshz0fbp
To back the launch of Beano Studios the company has hired talent including Nigel Pickard, launch director for CBBC and Cbeebies at the BBC, as non-executive director.To back the launch of Beano Studios the company has hired talent including Nigel Pickard, launch director for CBBC and Cbeebies at the BBC, as non-executive director.
Additional hires include Jodie Morris, the former managing editor of C4.com, as head of digital content.Additional hires include Jodie Morris, the former managing editor of C4.com, as head of digital content.
“While there are a lot of entertainment options for early teens and grown-ups, with social networks and content from broadcasters and vloggers alike, there is no single destination for children aged seven to 10,” says Neal. “Everything will be safe, whilst pushing the envelope, quite a lot.”“While there are a lot of entertainment options for early teens and grown-ups, with social networks and content from broadcasters and vloggers alike, there is no single destination for children aged seven to 10,” says Neal. “Everything will be safe, whilst pushing the envelope, quite a lot.”
In 2012, DC Thomson shut the Dandy, the UK’s oldest children’s comic, and put it online following its 75th anniversary.In 2012, DC Thomson shut the Dandy, the UK’s oldest children’s comic, and put it online following its 75th anniversary.
However, the attempt to give the title a digital breath of life failed and the online site was shut.However, the attempt to give the title a digital breath of life failed and the online site was shut.