Our Blog
At last, it’s Annibendod!
Sometimes it pays to be tenacious…after 5 years of development, slowed down due to Covid 19, our younger kids’ mixed-media drama comedy series finally hits the screen.
‘Annibendod’ is about the messy adventures of an anarchic, lively, fun-loving girl called Anni (the brilliant Agnes Evans) and her hamster side-kick, Bochau (‘Cheeks’), who loves a bit of mischief as well as a song and dance!
The commission is 20 episodes, 10 minutes of length with an animated song in each episode.
As this was such a big undertaking, we decided to subcontract Boom Kids to look after some aspects of the project and have been fortunate to work with their PM Marian Eluned, director Nathan Ifans and several members of their film crew.
Animated by the brilliant Cloth Cat with fab songs by MD Dyfan Jones, guided by the team at Mudiad Meithrin to ensure suitability for young children learning Welsh, we hope the viewers have as much fun watching it as we did making it.
Casting Opportunities
Working for Mosaic Films for BBC Bitesize, we’re on the lookout for young Welsh speaking talent!
We are seeking a presenter for a series of short Welsh-language grammar films for BBC Bitesize. The videos will briefly explain Welsh grammar points in English for an audience of 11 – 14 year olds. Filming will take place in a studio setting, with green screen, and the final content will be shown online in short-form digital format. Filming will be for one day in mid-January in a studio in Cardiff or nearby.
Requirements:
- Aged between 18 and 23
- Fluent in Welsh and English
- Informative, confident, clear and warm in delivery
- Previous on-camera experience or a background in education/presentation preferred
Submission Requirements:
- Short video (1 minutes 30 seconds) introducing yourself, including Welsh and English phrases
Key Dates:
- Submissions due: 6/12/24
- Filming Period: mid January 2025
CONTRIBUTORS
We’re also seeking contributors / actors for a series short films that will accompany the grammar films. The videos will showcase grammar points and conversational Welsh through documentary–style filmmaking, discussing the contributors’ everyday lives, activities and opinions. The final content will be shown online in short-form digital format. Filming will take place in Cardiff and surrounding area from mid-January until mid-February.
Requirements:
- Ages between 18 and 23
- Fluent in Welsh
- Warm, confident, conversational and approachable to connect with learners
- Prior acting experience preferred; must be comfortable following a script and speaking on camera
- Comfortable sharing basic personal information onscreen (discussing hobbies or favourite music, for example)
Submission Requirements:
- Short video (1 minute 30 seconds) introducing yourself
- Reading of a 1 minute script. Please contact Siwan for a copy of the script
- In an email, detail hobbies, experiences, or locations tied to your everyday life that could inform your story in the series
Key Dates:
- Submissions due: 6/12/24
- Filming Period: mid January 2025 to mid February
For submissions, further questions and to obtain a script, contact Siwan:
siwan@twtproductions.cymru
A Greener Production
We’re all looking for ways to be greener and more sustainable on production these days. Albert’s website is a good place to pick up ideas. www.wearealbert.org
An obvious and simple way to be greener is to consider how crews travel to work. Is it possible to share lifts, for example or walk? Another way is to look at the use we make of costumes and props.
We’re working with Book Kids on our latest production, Annibendod. As well have having an excellent production support team and crews, one of the many advantages of working with them is access to their props store. Located on an industrial estate in Cardiff, their storage facility is like Aladdin’s Cave (but without the genie)!
Want a lamp? There are 20 of them. Want wellingtons? How much is the only question! Want kitchenware? What colour do you have in mind?!
This store has enabled us to keep a careful eye on the expenditure of our budget and also behave more environmentally by not over-buying. Of course, sometimes you have to buy but those things go back into storage after we’ve finished filming, ready for a second series or something completely different. It’s a win win for everyone and a step towards making our productions as environmentally responsible as possible.
Y Pitws Bychain
We’re enjoying producing the Welsh language version of Magpie 6 Media’s The Wee Littles for S4C.
Our star is the ever-smiling Efa whose spending a fair chunk of her summer holidays doing a brilliant job voicing the series for us. Well done Efa!
We’re voicing in Cranc Audio and Dewi Evans is our editor The series is being adapted by Casia Wiliam.
Cardiff Animation Festival
It was great once again to be one of the sponsors of the Cardiff Animation Festival.
Twt Productions is very dependent on the animation talent of Welsh companies and individuals for many of our projects so it’s important to us that we are able to support the sector where and when possible. There is a wealth of talent here in Wales and without festivals like this where there’s an opportunity for people to meet friends and colleagues, make contacts, hear from masters in their field and enjoy being part of the sector, is all important.
Brethyn & Fflwff launches on S4C
It’s been an absolute delight to produce the Welsh version of Second Home Studios’ super cute stop frame animation, Tweedy & Fluff.
Brethyn & Fflwff launched this morning on Cyw and is now available to view on the iplayer and on S4C’s steaming service, Clic.
Adapted by Casia Wiliam and voiced by Tara Bethan, the series is cuteness personified.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0hpff6q/brethyn-fflwff
Tasty treats
Five years after working on the Welsh adaptation of Shane the Chef for Ho Ho Rights, we were delighted to be asked to consult on a suite of live action short form YouTube content for the Shane the Chef Chanel.
https://www.youtube.com/@ShanetheChef
The channel is jam packed with recipes and great foodie clips from the series.
For the shorts, food fun and tasks were the order of the day when we filmed with fours super-star kids at Qu studios in Bristol. More content will be added weekly.
The Urdd’s Fund For All – Summer Camps
Twt Productions is delighted to have been able to donate to the Urdd’s Fund For All – Summer Camps 2023-24. The fund was set up to collect donations from businesses and individuals to fund holidays in one of the Urdd’s camps for children from difficult financial backgrounds.
It’s a worthwhile cause and one we’re delighted to have been able to support.
We’re casting!
Annibendod is a series about the comedic trials and tribulations of a very messy child called Anni. Anni is our main character but she’s supported in her fun escapades by a gang of friends. We will be casting for Anni and her friends.
Anni also has an animated hamster called Bochau.
This is a comedy series with the emphasis on visual comedy. Adults will act alongside the children.
Filming will commence on May 29th, which is the Whitsunday holiday week – the week of the Urdd Eisteddfod. These dates will not change so consider carefully before applying if your child intends to take part in the Eisteddfod or you have organised a holiday.
Welcome Back!
Two series that Siwan has exec’d for other production companies will be returning to Cyw in 2024.
Produced by Telesgôp, Fferm Fach is a series about food and where it comes from. Huge congratulations to Will Samuel and the team for securing series 3 & 4.
Phil Higginson and Manon Jones’ Yellow Barrels’ first foray into kids TV has proved a success. Series 2 of their mixed-media puppet series, Dreigiau Cadi, filmed on the picturesque Abergynolwyn Railway is now underway.
Congratulations!
