| Thomas and Friends | |
|---|---|
Thomas the Tank Engine |
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| Genre | Animated television series |
| Format | Children's television series |
| Created by | Wilbert Awdry Christopher Awdry Britt Allcroft |
| Written by | Britt Allcroft (1984–1998) David Mitton (1984–2003) Various (2002–) |
| Directed by | David Mitton (1984–2003) Steve Asquith (2004–2008) Greg Tiernan (2009–) |
| Starring | Ringo Starr (UK: 1984–1986) UK: Michael Angelis (1991–) USA: George Carlin (1991–1995) USA: Alec Baldwin (USA: 1998–2003) Michael Brandon (USA: 2003-) |
| Composer(s) | Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell (1984–2003) Robert Hartshorne (2004–present) Ed Welch (2004–2008) |
| Country of origin | UK |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 15 |
| No. of episodes | 381 + 1 Movie & 5 Specials |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Britt Allcroft |
| Producer(s) | David Mitton (1984–2004) Britt Allcroft Robert D. Cardona (1984–1986) Simon Spencer (2004–2009) Nicole Stinn (2010–) |
| Editor(s) | Michael Dixon (1984) Rebecca de Burgh Mound (1986) John Wright (1991–1998) Paul Davenport (2002–present) |
| Running time | 5 minutes (Series 1–7) 7 minutes (Series 8–12) 9 minutes (Series 13–14) |
| Production company(s) | Clearwater (1984) The Britt Allcroft Company (1991) Gullane Entertainment (2000) HiT Entertainment (2001–present) |
| Distributor | Various Distributors: (currently Lionsgate Entertainment) See Full List Below |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ITV1/(CITV) (1982–2004) Channel 5 (2005–present) Nick Jr./Nick Jr. 2 (repeats) |
| Picture format | 4:3 576i (SDTV) (filmed) (Series 1–5) 16:9 576i (SDTV) (filmed) (Series 6–10) 16:9 1080i (HDTV) (filmed) (Series 11) 16:9 1080i (HDTV) (CGI) (Series 12-present) |
| Audio format | Stereo (1984–1995) Dolby Surround (1998–2002) Dolby Digital 5.1 (2003–present) |
| Original run | 4 September 1984 – Present |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | TUGS Shining Time Station |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Thomas and Friends is a British children's television series, first broadcast on the ITV network in September 1984. Until 2003, it was named Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. This series was shot on 35mm film. The first 12 Series were filmed at Shepperton Studios, England between 1984 and 2008, with production now in CGI at Nitrogen Studios in Canada from 2009 onward.
It is based on The Railway Series of books by the Reverend W. V. Awdry and his son Christopher Awdry. These books deal with the adventures of a group of anthropomorphised trains and road vehicles who live on the fictional Island of Sodor. The books were based on stories Awdry told to entertain his son Christopher during his recovery from measles. Many of the stories are based on events from Awdry's personal experience.
The show has featured celebrity storytellers Ringo Starr (1984–1986) for the UK and the USA, Michael Angelis (1991–present) for the UK, George Carlin (1984–1995), Alec Baldwin (1998–2002) and Michael Brandon (2003–present) for the USA, and Pierce Brosnan for the UK and the USA (Guest Narrator).
Many businesses have been eager to cash in on the worldwide popularity of the series. 'Thomas'-themed merchandise has appeared in almost every form imaginable, from books and magazines, through vast series of models, to duvet covers, cutlery, soft drinks and even spaghetti shapes.
Heritage railways have also benefited from the series. "Day out with Thomas" events, in which passengers are given the chance to ride in full-size coaches pulled by locomotives resembling Thomas or his friends, provide a considerable source of income, and attract those who might not otherwise visit the railway.
4 September 2009 was the 25th anniversary of Thomas & Friends, as the first ever episode "Thomas and Gordon" aired on 4 September 1984, on the British terrestrial channel ITV. In the 100 Greatest Kids' TV shows poll conducted by Channel 4 viewers in 2001, the show was voted at #26.
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The show was originally produced with live action model animation at Shepperton Studios in England. The use of moving models was seen at the time of the show's conception as an effective method of animating the stories. Locomotives and other vehicles were operated by radio, while humans and animals were static figures. Stop-motion was occasionally employed for instances in which a human or animal character would move. Hand-drawn animation was used in Series 3 to create bees.
At the show's conception in 1983, live action model animation would not deliver lip sync, but show co-creator Britt Allcroft and model director David Mitton did not see this as an inhibition. About 20 years later however, with advancement in technology, the show saw the introduction of CGI by HIT Entertainment's subsidiary HOT Animation.[1] At first this was used to generate smoke and other effects, but later, HIT (the new owners of Thomas) announced its intent to introduce a fully CGI series in 2009.[2] With Series 12, CGI by Nitrogen Studios was used to animate characters' faces and to make people and animals mobile within the stories. The following series saw a transition to full CGI animation.
The original classic live action models were filmed on an extensive model railway layout built at the studios. The models were built to the 1:32 scale, known in model railway circles as "Gauge 1". The locomotives used chassis made by Märklin with specially made bodies. Along with the moving-eye and eyelid mechanisms, these bodies also included smoke generators. Coaches and trucks were made using Tenmille kits. Later models were constructed entirely from scratch. Some of the models from the sister television series, TUGS were reused in later episodes of the series.
In Series 5 through 12, some larger-scale models were used for the narrow gauge characters, to more easily fit the complex mechanisms into them while retaining a sufficient level of detail. In Series 6, the characters known as "the Pack" (construction machines) were also constructed on a large scale, and larger models of Thomas and Percy were made to interact with them. In the ninth series, another larger Thomas model was built to the same scale as the narrow gauge engines to provide greater possibilities for interaction. It was joined by a large version of James in the tenth series. In 2009, these models were put on display in a special exhibit at Drayton Manor Theme Park's Thomas Land.[3]
Before Series 13, narration and dialogue were performed by a single storyteller. This was the choice of Allcroft, who wanted the television stories to be an extension of the way they would be told at home in a comforting environment. All character emotions would come from the nuances of the storyteller's voice, in conjunction with facial expressions, music, and actions on-screen.
The first 130 stories were written for television by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton. For the first four series the shows were closely based on stories from the Railway Series books.
The producer is in charge of every aspect of the show for the relevant series. The following people have been the series' producers:
Originally the series was produced by Britt Allcroft Productions and Clearwater Features Ltd (David Mitton and Robert D. Cardona's company). Clearwater closed in 1990 and The Britt Allcroft Company (which changed to Gullane Entertainment in 2000) was the sole producer until 2002, when HiT Entertainment bought the company and now runs its operation. HIT Entertainment was acquired in 2005 by the private equity firm Apax. In the US, the series is distributed by Connecticut Public Television and WNET for PBS.
In September 2010, Apax Partners, the private equity owners of HiT Entertainment, were preparing to sell off HiT Entertainment and its franchises, including Thomas – regarded as the single most valuable asset – in order to help clear HiT's debts.[4][5][6]
Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell composed the show's original classic main title theme, incidental music and songs, (see List of Thomas & Friends songs), which were used for Series 1 to 7 comprising 182 episodes between 1984 and 2003.
In 2004, Robert Hartshorne took their place as composer. Ed Welch provided a new theme tune, "Engine Roll Call," and also filled the role of series songwriter up until "The Great Discovery," after which Hartshorne replaced him.
The first series (1984) used stories from the first eight books, along with one specially written by the Rev. W. Awdry, Thomas's Christmas Party. The second series (1986) used stories from Book 9 (Edward the Blue Engine) to Book 30 (More About Thomas the Tank Engine). This book was unusual, as it was written specifically by Christopher Awdry to be adapted by the show. At that time it was a contractual obligation that the show could only adapt stories that appeared in print. The series also used a story from a Thomas Annual, "Thomas and Trevor", and a specially written stand-alone story, Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree. The second series was actually a 27-episode series, As a single (unaired) episode ("The Missing Coach") was in the process of being filmed, but despite being filmed it was never shown because Allcroft decided it was too confusing for young children/younger viewers. The production team went on to use "Thomas, Percy and the Coal" instead.[7] In between production of the second and third series, the production team were focused in producing the sister television series TUGS which ran for one series from 1989 to 1990.[8] However due to the company TVS, who was responsible for producing the show, going bankrupt the show was halted with sets and models reused and later seen in future episodes of Thomas.[9]
Series 3 was broadcast 1991 to 1992 in two parts, (one part having 16 episodes and the other having 10). It was made at a cost of £1.3 million.[10] The series was a combination of episodes derived from The Railway Series, stories in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends magazine, and original stories by Allcroft and Mitton. One of the primary reasons for diverging from the original books was that many of the stories not yet used featured large numbers of new characters, which would be expensive to produce. Another was that the producers wanted more stories about Thomas, the nominal main character. The Rev. W. Awdry complained that the new stories were unrealistic (see Henry the Green Engine for more details).[10]
Series 4 was also broadcast in two parts, (one part having 10 episodes and the other having 16) from 1994 to 1995. The producers planned to introduce some "new" female characters, including Caroline the car, Nancy, and The Refreshment Lady.[11] Some commentators took this as a response to accusations of sexism levelled against the series two years earlier.[12] In reality, these were not "new" characters, but creations of the Rev. Awdry from the original Railway Series books. Series 4 was almost entirely based on The Railway Series. The narrow gauge engines were introduced, and were the focus of a number of episodes. Only one original story ("Rusty to the Rescue") was used, but this took certain elements of plot and dialogue from Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine.
The fifth series (1998) was a radical departure, as none of the stories were taken from the Railway Series. This series saw the introduction of new characters, such as Cranky, The Horrid Lorries and Old Slow Coach.
Thomas and the Magic Railroad was released in July 2000 in the UK. It featured new characters created by Britt Allcroft, along with characters from the show that introduced Thomas to the US, Shining Time Station. The film was heavily edited late in production due to test audience responses.
Despite high production values and the popularity of the show, the film was criticised by UK reviewers who were unfamiliar with Shining Time Station. The movie was well-received by young children on both sides of the Atlantic, but made only $16 million at the US box office at matinee prices, against a cost of $19 million to produce.
The sixth and seventh series continued to introduce action-packed storylines and new characters, and saw the introduction of a writing staff. The sixth series in 2002 was notable for its attempt to create a spin-off based on the successful "Bob the Builder" series. Two episodes introduced a group of construction machine characters known as "The Pack". The spin-off didn't materialise for some time. Eventually, in 2006, thirteen episodes were released straight to DVD. The fact that older sets were used and the episodes were shot on 35mm camera (as opposed to the digital camera used at the time of the episodes' release) suggest it was filmed some time before Series 8. In Series 7 (2003) the programme title was officially shortened to Thomas & Friends, this name having been used on merchandise and video covers for three years previously.
The eighth series (2004) introduced a number of significant changes to the show after rights to the show were acquired by HIT Entertainment, a company specialising in children's entertainment. Many of the original founding team involved in the original classic show, since 1983, including Britt Allcroft (by now working strictly as a consultant), director and writer David Mitton, left the production. Original composers Junior Campbell and Mike O'Donnell, also departed, after a protracted dispute with HIT,[13][14] and a new theme song and incidental music was composed by Ed Welch and Robert Hartshorne, respectively. Episode runtime was increased to seven minutes. The series was produced using digital video camera, creating a somewhat different look for the show. Other changes include the additions of CGI educational sequences and transitions between stories.
These series saw the adoption of a centralised cast, including Thomas, Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby and Emily.
A straight-to-video film, Calling All Engines was released shortly before Series 9 in 2005. While featuring characters from Thomas and the Magic Railroad, it was not a direct sequel. It proved successful, and more direct-to-video specials are planned for the future.[15]
Series 9 (2005) and 10 (2006) saw the expansion of the supporting cast with new and old characters. From Series 9 the Narrator would call out the episodes names and from Series 11 the Theme Song was sang starting with the sound of a train whistle. Series 10 aired with twenty-eight episodes rather than the twenty-six of previous years. The eleventh series (2007) was filmed in a high definition format. Twenty episodes aired in the original broadcast, while six were released direct to DVD.
The 2008 series saw the introduction of CGI effects, with the intent of producing the show entirely in CGI the following year.[16] Only twenty episodes were broadcast (the US broadcast featured six additional episodes from Engines and Escapades).
The production techniques were similar as that of 2004–2008 except that with the introduction of CGI, the characters could now move their faces and the humans and animals could move more realistically.
HIT announced multiple changes to the show beginning in 2009. One new aspect was the introduction of live-action host segments to Thomas' home video releases. The host took the form of a character who worked on The Fat Controller's railway, who would instruct viewers in craft projects.
The other major changes were a move to production in CGI, rather than using physical models, and the addition of a voice cast to support the established narrator. The DVD feature, Hero of the Rails, was the first Thomas and Friends production to show these changes; Series 13 was the first television series in the new format.
HIT also revealed that its theatrical division would be piloted by a "Thomas" film. Originally targeted for late-2010 release,[17] in September 2009 this was revised to "Spring 2011".[18] As of January 2011, the release date had been pushed back further to 2012 and the name of the production has still not been announced. The initial draft of the script was written by Josh Klausner (screenwriter for Shrek Forever After), who has also said that the film will be set around the times of World War II.[19] On 8 June 2011, Deadline announced that 9 director Shane Acker will direct the live-action adaptation of Thomas the Tank Engine, with Weta Digital designing the film's visual effects.[20] The film's release date has again been pushed back, it will now be released in 2014 by HIT Entertainment's brand new film company, HIT Films, as well as Media Rights Capital and Weta Digital.
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| Film title | Release | Episodes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas and the Magic Railroad | 2000 | – | |||||
| Calling All Engines! | 2005 | – | |||||
| On Site with Thomas (Series) | 2006 | 13 | |||||
| Engines and Escapades | 2007 | 6 | |||||
| The Great Discovery | 2008 | – | |||||
| Hero of the Rails | 2009 | – | |||||
| Misty Island Rescue | 2010 | – | |||||
| Day of the Diesels[21] | 2011 | – | |||||
| Blue Mountain Mystery[22] | 2012 | – | |||||
| Untitled Thomas and Friends Film Project | 2014 | – | |||||
Over the history of the programme, the TV episodes and specials have been released for home viewing in a variety of compilations, formats and languages, by a variety of publishing houses.
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The show revolves around the machines and people who populate the fictional Island of Sodor. Since the advent of a centralised cast, known as "The Steam Team," in 2004, the show has featured eight main characters.
Supporting characters are described in detail on other pages:
The role of the storyteller dates back to the first series. Britt Allcroft thought it essential to convey the episode as a story that would be read from a book at home.
In June and July 2001, the National Autistic Society conducted a survey of 81 parents of children with autism and Asperger syndrome to investigate their putative 'special relationship' with Thomas the Tank Engine. The survey confirmed the organisation's assumption from anecdotal evidence that children with autism spectrum disorders associate far more strongly with Thomas the Tank Engine than with other children's characters.[28]
In the National Autistic Society's April 2007 survey, conducted with 748 UK parents of children under 10 with autism, 58% of parents reported Thomas was the first children's character their children enjoyed, with about 1/3 of parents reported their children were able to learn basic facial expressions from the characters, as all of Thomas's friends have easy-to-read expressions. 54% of parents reported that the stories contributed to their child's sense of security.[29]
A wide range of merchandise has been manufactured to cash-in on the success of the TV Series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. It is down to the popularity and longevity of the series – having originated in 1945 with the first of The Railway Series books by the Rev. W. Awdry – that large numbers of manufacturers have sought to produce 'Thomas'-branded items.
The most popular and wide-ranging items of merchandise are the models of the characters, which have been produced in many different ranges, some including accompanying railway systems. Other popular products include videos, books and magazines, and computer games. However, 'Thomas' merchandise has also included such diverse items as: audiobooks, annuals, colouring and activity books, jigsaws, board games, stationery, photo notebooks, clothing, cutlery, household items such as curtains, duvet covers and lampshades, and even soft drinks and spaghetti shapes.
"Day out with Thomas", is a marketing name used by HiT Entertainment for special events held at heritage railways in the UK. The characteristic features of these events include locomotives wearing 'faces' to resemble 'Thomas' characters, and a "Fat Controller" character, usually performed by one of the railway's volunteers. The general idea is that the public have the chance to ride in a train pulled by 'Thomas' or one of his friends.
In the US the name also refers to "Come Ride the Rails with Thomas"[30] which is a US tour by real trains modelled after Thomas the Tank Engine. The Thomas engine visits various historic railroads across the United States allowing visitors to play games, meet Sir Topham Hatt and to ride on a passenger car pulled by the engine. HIT Entertainment sponsors the event to promote the Thomas and Friends brand.
In the Netherlands is also a "Day out with Thomas", Een dag uit met Thomas, and is held at the South Limburg Railway Compagny a heritage railway in Simpelveld in the South of the Netherlands in the province of Limburg. The Thomas locomotive is shipped from the UK. The South Limburg Railway Compagny has its own Diesel locomotive.
In 2007 Drusilla's Park near Alfriston, Sussex, England opened a railway ride featuring Thomas, Annie and Clarabel. The track runs through the Zoo Park and also features James, Diesel, Cranky and the Fat Controller.
Since 2007, several Six Flags amusement parks in the US have included Thomas and Friends -themed attractions: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Six Flags New England, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags America. Several of these attractions have since been renamed and re-themed.[31]
On 15 March 2008 Drayton Manor in the UK opened their own Thomas Land just like Japan's Amusement Park which attracts 1.7 million fans every year. Thomas Land at Drayton Manor is on the site of what was formerly Robinsons Land.
For the 2008 & 2009 Season, Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, featured a 'Thomas and Friends Live' production.
The series was first broadcast in 1984 on ITV's Children's ITV in the United Kingdom. It was shown throughout the late eighties and into the early 90s when it was taken off the terrestrial UK network following broadcast of the third series. Between 1994 and 2002, Thomas was never shown on terrestrial UK networks, although did make a comeback on satellite through Cartoon Network in the mid 1990s and lasted until 1999, which was 5 seasons, and then Nick Jr in the same year. The Children's Channel repeated shows from 1984 to 1998.
Thomas also made a comeback on Children's ITV in 2002 with its sixth series of four and a half minute stories. The sixth and seventh series were shown in their entirety in 2002 and 2003. The eighth series (the first to be made by Hit Entertainment) was broadcast in 2004, but only 13 episodes were aired, possibly on account of the new format for the programme; it wasn't until July 2006 that the remaining 13 episodes were broadcast. Due to a new agreement between ITV and the Programming Authority (Ofcom) which allowed them to cut their children's TV output in mid 2006, five bought the rights to the series. The ninth series began showing on 10 October 2006, followed one month later on 10 November 2006 by the tenth. The channel now shows series 8–12 in rotation.
In 1989, Thomas and Friends was shown in North America, in a television series newly created by Britt Allcroft and Rick Siggerkow called Shining Time Station, which was broadcast on PBS. Thomas segments were also shown on Mister Moose's Fun Time in 1997 (which also appeared on the Fox Family Channel). Today, Thomas and Friends is broadcast in more than twenty languages around the world. In 2000 Thomas moved to the big screen, with the release of Thomas and the Magic Railroad.
The Thomas and Friends episodes were four and a half minutes long. The first two series showed two episodes at a time, with a show of the characters in the middle. It changed to one at a time in series three. In each series until series eight, the number of trains on the railway increases as the railway expands.
In 2004, the series began using computer animated special effects and the story length changed from five to seven minutes. A half-hour show format[32] (aired on PBS and Treehouse TV in North America and on Nick Jr. in the UK from 2004 to 2008) was also adopted, showing three episodes plus puzzles, songs, and mini stories. The new series made major changes, such as changing the famous theme tune, and took on a more moralistic stance than previous series. Starting series 10, only two episodes aired, with the middle story being replaced with Places around Sodor, a recurring mini-story which features major locations and recaps episodes from series 8–10 that take place at the location. Series 11, also only two episodes aired, and Places around Sodor was replaced by Fun times with One of Sodor Engines. Series 12, the history story was called "One/Two of Thomas' favorite/special friends".
In 1985 and 1987 the show received a BAFTA TV awards nomination for Best Animated Film but lost in 1985 to Rupert and the Frog Song and lost in 1987 to Super Ted.
| Country | Channel |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Channel 5 (Current Original Channel), 5* (Milkshake!) (Current Repeats), Nick Jr./Nick Jr. 2 (Current Repeats), ITV (1984–1994 & 2003–2006) (Former Original Channel), TCC (Former Repeats), Cartoon Network (Former Repeats), |
| United States | PBS Kids, PBS Kids Sprout, Nick Jr., (1989–2003) Noggin (1999–2004) |
| Australia | ABC1 (1985–present), ABC4 Kids (2005–present), |
| Japan | Tokyo MX, Cartoon Network Japan |
| Brazil | Rede Manchete, Discovery Kids Latin America |
| Canada | TVO, BBC Kids, Teletoon, Treehouse TV |
| Germany | Super RTL |
| Greece | Alter Channel |
| Czech Republic | TV Barrandov, Minimax, Jim Jam |
| Finland | Sub Juniori |
| Sweden | TV4 (Sweden) |
| Denmark | DR1 |
| Norway | NRK1 (−2005), TV2 |
| Hungary | M1, Minimax, Jim Jam |
| Hong Kong | ATV World, Playhouse Disney Channel Asia |
| Indonesia | Indosiar, Playhouse Disney Channel Asia |
| Italy | Rai Due, Rai Tre, Italia 1, Playhouse Disney |
| Mexico | Azteca 7, Azteca 13, Proyecto 40, Discovery Kids Latin America |
| Netherlands | Nickelodeon, Jim Jam |
| New Zealand | TV3, FOUR |
| Philippines | 3ABN, Cartoon Network Philippines, Playhouse Disney Channel Asia, TV5 |
| Russia | Telenyanya, (First Channel Worldnet) |
| Poland | TVP Krakow, MiniMini, Jim Jam, Polsat Jim Jam |
| Spain | Cadena Tres, Playhouse Disney |
| Singapore | Okto, Playhouse Disney Channel Asia, JimJam |
| Romania | Minimax TV, JimJam, Cartoon Network Romania |
| France | Playhouse Disney, France 5 |
| Taiwan | ETTV YOYO, MOMO TV |
| China | CCTV-Children |
| India | POGO |
| Arab World | MBC 3 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | FTV |
| South Korea | KBS, EBS |
| Hawaii | Kīwī Hawai`i, PBSHawaii |
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