Ever since Rebecca Elliot launched her charming owl character Eva within the chapter guide Eva’s Treetop Pageant again in 2015, younger readers have fallen in love with the inventive fowl. This month, she is going to discover a entire new set of followers when Apple TV+ premieres the brand new animated present Eva the Owlet, primarily based on Elliot’s in style guide collection Owl Diaries. Produced by Scholastic Leisure and Brown Bag Movies (in Dublin and Bali), the present facilities on Eva and her next-door pal Lucy’s woodland world and their mates within the woodland world of Treetopington.
“Owl Diaries, now 17 books in, stays a favourite with youngsters,” says the present’s govt producer, Caitlin Friedman (Clifford the Large Crimson Canine, Stillwater), SVP and basic supervisor of Scholastic Leisure. “Together with our readers, we fell in love with Eva and knew that she and her household and mates would make for an lovable collection. Fortunately, Apple TV+ agreed!”
Government producer Jef Kaminsky, VP of TV manufacturing at Scholastic, whose credit embody Clifford the Large Crimson Canine and Stillwater, says he loves the truth that Eva is so passionate about nearly every part. “She loves her household and her mates and making an attempt new issues even when she makes errors,” he says. “However maybe much more than that, what we love most is that Eva isn’t afraid to expertise and specific all her emotions. She doesn’t all the time perceive what she is feeling. To assist her, and the viewer, she writes her emotions down in her diary.”
Hatching Eva
The producers started growing the present about 5 years in the past. “We introduced Brown Bag Movies on board for early visible growth as a part of the pitch,” says Friedman. “As soon as Apple TV+ ordered the collection, we have been capable of formally invite Brown Bag Movies to affix us on this manufacturing.”
Whereas the inventive group opted for a CG-animated present, they determined to lean closely into the pure world for the reason that backdrop is a city nestled in timber. “The artists at Brown Bag Movies efficiently created a world the place youngsters will really feel that they’re within the treetops with Eva and her mates,” says Kaminsky. “We wished Treetopington to really feel protected and comfy for younger viewers, so we selected pure lighting and toon-shaded textures for the designs, and that’s all supported by a really serene, ambient woodland sound design.”
One of many causes the present stands out is that the entire tales happen at night time, since owls are nocturnal creatures. Kaminsky provides, “Moreover, Apple TV+ inspired us to stay as shut as attainable to the model of the guide collection, which is nice as a result of the followers of the tales will really feel like it is a pure extension of the world they see on the pages of the books they love.”
“Generally productions go actually easily, and we have been tremendous fortunate with Eva the Owlet,’ provides Friedman. “All the individuals concerned shared the same imaginative and prescient for a way the present ought to look, and the writers actually introduced out the humor and the attraction of this character and her mates. This manufacturing and this group of individuals have been an absolute pleasure since day one.”
When requested about their overview on the state of animation in 2023, each producers are optimistic in regards to the medium’s future, regardless of all of the ups and downs within the enterprise. As Friedman factors out, “Animation has all the time been a type of storytelling that withstands large cultural or financial shifts. We’re additionally seeing that animation is resonating with older youngsters and adults and is well changing into an space of development for these on the lookout for co-viewing experiences. So, past preschool, we’re presently growing animated collection primarily based on our horror, sci-fi and younger grownup titles as a result of we love the creativity and adaptability of the medium and what it will probably add to storytelling.”
For now, Each Kaminsky and Friedman have excessive hopes for his or her charming little feathered pal. “On the core of our episodes, Eva makes use of her diary to course of her emotions,” says Friedman. “Since journaling is a confirmed device to assist youngsters (and grown-ups) higher perceive their feelings, we hope that our viewers will attempt it when they’re grappling with one thing that may be overwhelming and exhausting to share.”
“At the start, we wish youngsters to take pleasure in watching Eva and her adventures throughout the first and second seasons,” concludes Kaminsky. “Together with offering a enjoyable viewing expertise, we ideally need the present to assist our viewers establish, specific, perceive and handle their emotions.”
Eva the Owlet premieres globally on Apple TV+ on March 31. Watch an unique sneak-peek clip under:
