Padmalaya's JV for animation series

By Our Staff Correspondent

MUMBAI, DEC. 19. Padmalaya Telefilms Limited (PTL), a Hyderabad based company, has announced a joint venture with Film Club U.S. & Anglo American Film Distributors (AAFD), for a 200-part animation series for international audiences based on the popular Jataka Tales.

The production cost per episode is about $150,000 and the entire planned sequence would cost about $30 million. The production cost per episode would be at least 60 per cent higher anywhere else, according to the company.

Through Film Club, the Jataka Tales characters will be adapted for various cultures, with little preaching but a lot of humour. PTL will bring to the table its creativity and AAFD its ability to sell the product to over 70 countries besides tapping other mediums.

Work on the first 13 episodes will begin in January 2001. The cost would be borne equally by PTL and Film Club.

After the series goes on air there would be income receipts and freshly raised funds to finance another 13 episodes, the eventual 26 - the full quota for a season. Receipts from copyright would be equally shared by the two partners.

The setting up of the joint venture follows the setting up of an animation facility by PTL. The venture is considering related businesses like publishing and merchandising.

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Section  : Business
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