Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick Entertainment
Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick Entertainment (formed 2011)[1] is the reincarnation of the animation company Cosgrove Hall (closed in 2009) in conjunction with executive producer and intellectual property lawyer Francis Fitzpatrick. Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall previously ran Cosgrove Hall. They were enticed out of retirement after being presented with a new children’s story, Pip!,[2] which they believed would turn into a major worldwide TV series. Hall died in November 2011[2] before this could be realized, and was replaced by his son Simon Hall.
The original Cosgrove Hall created successful animated programs such as Danger Mouse, Cockleshell Bay, Count Duckula, Lavender Castle and Wind in the Willows, and produced Fifi and the Flowertots, Postman Pat and Roary the Racing Car . It won a number of awards, including six BAFTA’s and two Emmys. Francis Fitzpatrick co-created and brought seven-time Emmy Award winning series Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks to the global market.[3]
In November 2012, Brian Cosgrove received the British Academy of Film and Television Arts's Special Award for outstanding creative contribution to the industry at the British Academy of Children’s Awards.[4] Simon Hall, just like his father, has been involved in the production of children's animation right throughout his career. Adrian Wilkins, the company’s chief executive officer, is a specialist advisor to the media and TV sector and has succeeded in securing broadcast and distribution contracts for his own animated shows.
Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick Entertainment is currently working on two children’s shows: Pip!, the story of a loveable sea pup, created by Charles Ward and aimed at pre-school children; and HeroGliffix created by Silver Fang Productions and targeted at a slightly older audience. Pip! was successfully showcased at MIPCom Global Sales Fair in Cannes in October 2011 and flagged up by the industry as being 'one to watch'.[5] There were 52 eleven-minute episodes planned, to be released in spring 2013.[6]
In 2012, CHF Entertainment secured the BAFTA award-winning actor David Jason as the voice of 'Skipper', one of the show’s leading characters. Jason had provided the voices for a number of Cosgrove Hall's animated series, including Danger Mouse, The Wind in the Willows and Count Duckula.
In 2013 businessman Sir Eric Peacock became chairman of the board, while Jason became a non-executive director.[7]
In the summer of 2014, Pip Ahoy! started airing on Milkshake and was given a warm reception. HeroGliffix on the other hand has been acquired by CITV and will air in February 2015. The voice cast will probably be David Jason (Famous for playing Del Boy Trotter in Only Fools And Horses), Brian Trueman (Famous for Cockleshell Bay, Wind in the Willows and Count Duckula), Sophie Aldred (Famous for playing Ace in Doctor Who) and Jimmy Hibbert (Famous for voice overs in Count Duckula and Avenger Penguins).
References
- ↑ "Children's animators commit to UK with new series". BBC News. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Danger Mouse co-creator Mark Hall dies". BBC News. 18 November 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
- ↑ http://www.skwigly.co.uk/cosgrove-hall-fitzpatrick/
- ↑ Children's Special Award in 2012, BAFTA Awards. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
- ↑ http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/analysis/ones-to-watch-mipcom-2011/5032413.article
- ↑ "Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick Entertainment looks for office space - and to create 50 jobs". Manchester Evening News. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
- ↑ Begum, Shelina (18 April 2013). "Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick Entertainment strengthens board with appointment of Sir Eric Peacock". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 22 April 2013.