MIPTV 2011 Animation Spotlight

Here's an approach to climate change that scientists have yet to option: accept it, and let millions of minuscule plankton take over the Earth. For the hilarious and oft-inept creatures at the center of TeamTO's (Paris, Valence; France) new television animation Plankton Invasion, this isn't just a good idea, it's the master plan. Captain John C. Star, sergeant Pulpo Kalamarez, and doctor Anna Medusa are on the front lines, doing their part to help the advancement of global warming. Now, if only the three of them were a bit more informed, talented, and were actually aware of just how monstrous a task is laid before them....

Plankton Invasion (39x7) is one of the freshest titles from TeamTO, which produces a great deal of its titles entirely within the borders of France. The CG series takes a strictly comedic approach to the subject of climate change, whereby three plankton specimens are dropped on the beach with the mandate from their Supreme Commander to accelerate global warming and melt the polar ice caps. The cartoon's producers plan to use actual climatic events and up-to-date scientific data as the foundation for the characters' progressively less organized plans for world domination.

Captain Star is an aging war hero who was once a great marine soldier. He claims he's "ready for a comeback," and so joins Operation: Global Warming to relive the glory days. Doctor Medusa is the young daughter of the mission's guiding Commander; Anna is a bit of a rebellious girl, but has the smarts to back it up. Sergeant Kalamarez descends from a long line of warriors, admires his captain endlessly, and strives to be his best. Unfortunately for the sergeant, he's a bit of a geek, and is usually relegated to handling recon and communications.

In Plankton Invasion, these three characters must raise the sea levels by any means necessary. Surely easier said than done, but if that means torching the entire planet and drowning all other life (leaving nothing but sea creatures), then mission accomplished. The animated series finds humor and comedy in the wasted efforts of these rascals who just can't figure out why nobody fears their beachfront tactics. Plankton Invasion aims to be anything but moralistic, but does look to keep viewers a little informed on what's going on with the planet beneath their feet.

TeamTO, animation fans may recall, is the production studio whose creative thumbprints can be found on computer animated titles such as Babar and the Adventures of Badou and Angelo Rules, which was in the news quite a bit last year [past A.I. news: "MIPTV 2010 Animation Spotlight" (04/2010)]. For Plankton Invasion, the studio has secured a stamp of approval from UNESCO: the organization has proposed to measure the carbon footprint of the animation's production.

TeamTO is producing the CG series using 100% renewable energy, with additional efforts for recycling both electronic and paper waste. Plankton Invasion is scheduled to launch on Canal+ (France) in 2011-2012.

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Plankton Invasion TV Series
TeamTO
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