Vancouver – Animation house Studio B Productions is partnering with Oscarwinning animators Alison Snowden and David Fine (Bob’s Birthday) to produce Ricky Sprocket – Showbiz Boy, a 26 x 22 comedy series for Teletoon aimed at the six-to-12 set.

Ricky, about a child star trying to balance fame and fortune with homework and an annoying sibling, was brought to Studio B by Snowden Fine after getting a green light from Teletoon earlier this year. The companies first attempted to work together in 2003, on a series called Simon Stimple, but the project proved difficult to finance because of its adult lean and was dumped after one round of development with Teletoon. Snowden Fine has already secured a partnership with Toronto/L.A.-based distributor Bejuba!, which is also serving as the series’ executive producer.

‘This is the quickest deal that has ever come together for Studio B,’ says Blair Peters, Studio B partner. ‘Studio B will be the coproducer and production studio, providing a place for David and Alison to work as supervising directors. We came up with a budget and schedule that worked for everyone. Everything aligned really nicely.’

The budget is US$300,000 per episode, with financing from the producing partners Bejuba!, Teletoon and tax credits. The bible is currently being completed by Snowden Fine, and the series goes into production later this month. Delivery will begin in spring 2007.

Peters says he expects Bejuba! will push the show well at MIPTV in April, but adds he won’t be surprised if deals come together sooner than that.

‘We’re confident we’ll bring a U.S. partner on board soon,’ says Peters. ‘We think it’s a North American-friendly show, and something the market would bear.’