What a difference a year has made for filmmaker Cristine Richey. This time last year she was busily preparing her documentary on deviant sexual practices and sadomasochistic behavior, called Tops & Bottoms, for the festival circuit. This year, she is preparing a top-secret project with Howard Chelin for the Banff Television Festival’s Market Simulation. And by the way, it’s a children’s series – but that’s about all any of us are going to know about it before Banff.

Actually, we do know the title of the series will be The Body Bunch and that Richey and Chelin are working together under the banner of Body Bunch of Characters Inc. The series is targeted at children ages eight to 13, is budgeted at $4 million for 13 half-hours and will be a mix of live action and animation.

Richey says Body Bunch will help her bury the past, as she has told Playback in previous interviews that making Tops & Bottoms was a deeply troubling and emotional experience for her.

‘Everyone asks me, ‘Why are you producing a children’s series after making a film about s&m?’ ‘ says Richey. Her answer: ‘I’m just so much happier. It’s a happier world to be in.’

Coproducer Chelin recalls approaching Richey at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival and was surprised how quickly she responded to his idea for the series.

‘[I told her], ‘I’ve got this idea for a children’s series,’ and she said, ‘I’ve wanted to make children’s programming for the last three years but I’ve been stuck finishing off this film called Tops & Bottoms,’ ‘ recalls Chelin. ‘It’s a very funny segue for her, going from the lurid world of sex and sadomasochism into the benign children’s [programming] world.’

Chelin says the new series will promote everything Richey’s film did not. ‘We want to make sure the series promotes good wholesome values for children,’ he says, adding with a laugh, ‘No fetishes allowed.’

The secrecy surrounding the project is not just for the sake of the media. On the contrary, Richey and Chelin have asked all who know the details of the project to sign confidentiality agreements, including those closest to them personally.

‘I only told my mother about the project a week ago,’ says Richey. ‘I wouldn’t tell her. It is such a good idea you have to be careful.’

Chelin adds: ‘We’ve even videotaped the pitch because we feel it affords us more protection. We literally make every person we talk [about The Body Bunch] to sign a confidentiality agreement. We’re not kidding.’

Richey says she and Chelin are hoping to attract a Canadian broadcaster and an international coproduction partner with their pitch at Banff, while Chelin hints a major, internationally known production company has already expressed an interest in the series.

The secrecy surrounding The Body Bunch has generated a buzz, and a serious curiosity for those out of the Body Bunch loop. The Banff pitch will take place June 15.