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Tag: MPCL

  • MPCL gears for “voice of people” infotainment channel

    MPCL gears for “voice of people” infotainment channel

    NEW DELHI: From documentaries, television shows, cross-over films, promotional advertising films and 3 D long-format television series, Moving Pictures Company Limited (MPCL) is moving on to an interactive infotainment city-centric channel. A channel, to based on the lines of voice of people, will have various forms of information and entertainment, says MPCL managing director Ramesh Sharma.

    MPCL is strategically planning to launch the channel during the latter half of the year, banking on the upswing in the consumer spending during the festive season. The channel will be initially launched in free-to-air mode.

    For MPCL, such initiative is a natural progression especially with various broadcasting technologies emerging as an attractive proposition in the near future. Moving Pictures is an integrated multimedia company. The idea is to synergise the strength of the company, said Sharma.

    The channel will have news, information and entertainment, which be useful for people. It will be similar to FM concept, except for the fact that it will be on television. Whether its shopping, highlighting needs or problem of people in residential areas or political news, the idea is to position it as a channel, which is the voice of the people and speaks for the people, he said.

    Citing examples on how the channel will associate itself with viewers, Sharma said, There will be political news. The idea is to make the channel as an interface between policy makers and people. There will be lots of phone-ins and other forms of interaction. Then there would be dos and donts from traffic or probably a daily segment on real estate. There will be various forms of entertainment whether its through entertainment news, game shows, countdown/music shows etc.

    MPCL is not only looking at local advertisers but also national spenders, who can strategise their communication programmes in a focused manner. Obviously, local advertisers would be part of the spenders list. Why a local cinema hall would spend on a national channel? So this platform can be used by local companies or retailers. But even the national advertisers would find this useful such as ones from FMCG sector, said Sharma.

  • MPCL test markets 3D animation series at IITF

    MPCL test markets 3D animation series at IITF

    NEW DELHI: Moving Picture Company (India) Limited (MPCL) is test marketing its first long format 3D animation series Jungle Tales in the India International Trade Fair (IITF), which commenced here on Friday.

    According to the Noida-based production house, the series, inspired by Panchatantra, is the country’s first completely indigenous long format 3D animation series for television.

    “We are test marketing Jungle Tales with Delhi audience. We had introduced the pilot of the series last year at the IITF and it evoked more than 20,000 responses. With a potential of 150,000 visitors, from vast strata of society, we believe this series with treatment in contemporary style is an ideal way of arousing interest,” says MPCLs vice-president-business development Pankaj Bhushan.

    The narration and treatment of the series, for which the studio is expecting to finalise a deal with a satellite channel in India soon, has been created considering the “lifestyle of todays kids”. The primary target group is kids but the stories make for fun viewing for an entire family, Bhushan says.

    “The objective (of test marketing at the IITF) is to create awareness about animation in India. Sales or attracting buyers is not the sole aim. We want to convey to the people that animation is thriving in India. And for this IITF, with visitors of various age-groups, seems to be the right choice,” says Bhushan.

    MPCL, which has already worked on six episodes of 22 minutes each, is taking four episodes to the fair. “We are initially planning 13 episodes but might increase it to 26 depending upon the response from the audience,” Bhushan explains.

    MPCL, which specialises in television software and documentary films apart from 3D animation, is targeting the particular segment of international audiences that has a liking for Indian films.

    The studio is yet to finalise the distribution plans. The series will be marketed not only in India, but also in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and North America.

    “We are examining the options of retailing at the moment. Its very tough to gauge the figure for sale of DVDs or CDs. We might tie-up with an international partner for distribution,” says Bhushan.

  • MPCL to produce first indigenous 3D series for TV

    MPCL to produce first indigenous 3D series for TV

    NEW DELHI: Taking a cue from renowned fable Panchatantra, Moving Picture Company (India) Ltd is producing its first long format 3D animation series Jungle Tales. The series, expected to be completed by end of this year, will be marketed not only in India, but also in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and North America.

    According to MPCL, the 13-part 22-minute series is Indias first completely indigenous long format 3D animation series for television.

    MPCL chief technology officer CB Arun Kumar said, Jungle Tales, inspired by famous tales of yesteryears Panchatantra, is being created considering the lifestyle of todays kids. We felt the narration and treatment of the story needed to be done as per the profile of todays kid, who is much more sophisticated.

    Kumar added, “For instance, we have worked on a couple of characters who have mobiles in their hand and enjoy watching television. The stories will convey messages such as ‘slow and steady’ wins the race but with a difference. The values and lessons from such stories always attract children but we felt a need to drift away from the traditional way of story telling.”

    MPCL, which specialises in 3D animation, television software and documentary films, is targeting the particular segment of international audiences that has a liking for Indian films. “While our primary target group is kids, the stories make for fun viewing for the entire family. Our primary target audience comprises those who watch Hindi movies. If one can watch K3G at home, they are the ones who are likely to view Jungle Tales as well,” said Kumar.

    Besides animation, Moving Pictures television wing is renowned for its award winning documentary films including a recent 52-minute film shot in Afghanistan during the fall of the Taliban post 9/11. MPCL client list includes national broadcaster Doordarshan and Sony’s MAX, for which it produces Current Bollywood, a cinema-based show.