Little J & Big Cuz has taken out the award for Most Outstanding Children’s Television Program at the 2018 Logie Awards. The series produced by Ned Lander Media, Blue Rocket Productions and Media World Pictures was commissioned by NITV and has been screened on both NITV and ABC channels. Little J & Big Cuz is Australia’s first indigenous children’s animated TV series and is one of NITV’s highest rating programs.

Produced by Ned Lander and directed by Tony Thorne, the thirteen episode animated television series explores the home and school lives of young Aboriginal kids, and has been embraced by indigenous and non-indigenous children alike. It has been translated into several Aboriginal languages, including palawa kani, the Tasmanian Aboriginal language.

Alicia Rackett, Blue Rocket’s producer for the series congratulated Ned Lander and Tony Thorne and the entire production team. The team has recently commenced pre-production on a second season.

Little J & Big Cuz was produced with the support of Screen Tasmania, Screen Australia, Film Victoria, the Australian Centre for Educational Research and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.

This has been a huge week for Indigenous animation series, Little J & Big Cuz with the announcement of the series as a Logies nominee in the Most Outstanding Children’s Program category.

And that’s not all! NITV and their commissioning partner ABC Children’s, announce Little J & Big Cuz season two is currently in pre-production. Ned Lander Media, Media World and Blue Rocket are once again partnering with Aboriginal writers from across Australia and the outstandingly talented actors, Deborah Mailman, Miranda Tapsell, Ningali Lawford, Aaron Fa’oaso, Ursula Yovich, and Shari Sebbens to create this truly original series.

Season 2 of Little J & Big Cuz will be broadcast on NITV and ABC Kids, with catch-up available on SBS On-Demand and ABC iview. Little J & Big Cuz Season 2 is financed with the support of Screen Australia, the Tasmanian Government through Screen Tasmania, Film Victoria, the Australian Council for Educational Research and the Australia’s Children’s Television Foundation.

Ned Lander Media, Media World and Blue Rocket are again teaming up with Aboriginal writers from across Australia and the wonderful voice talent of Deborah Mailman, Miranda Tapsell, Ningali Lawford, Aaron Fa’oaso, Ursula Yovich, and Shari Sebbens to create this truly original series.

Blue Rocket’s producer, Alicia Rackett said she is delighted to be again working with Director Tony Thorne on another season of Little J & Big Cuz. “The first season really connected with children across Australia, sharing with them the unique Indigenous culture. We also reached remote Indigenous communities with the production of the series in six language versions. This is a fabulous production and Blue Rocket is delighted to be involved.”

Production credits: Little J & Big Cuz Season Two is a Ned Lander Media, Media World and Blue Rocket production for NITV and ABC Children’s Content. Principal production investment from NITV in association with the ABC. Financed with support from Screen Australia, the Tasmanian Government through Screen Tasmania, Film Victoria, the Australian Council for Educational Research and the Australia’s Children’s Television Foundation.

From over a hundred applications Australia-wide, Blue Rocket has been included in the nineteen companies selected by Screen Australia to share in over $2.9 million through the Enterprise Ideas and People funding streams. Paul Moran will join the Tasmanian animation company Blue Rocket where he will be mentored as a creative producer by principals Alicia Rackett and David Gurney. Paul will be working across Blue Rocket’s slate of current productions and future projects, as well as developing his own projects.

Ned Lander Productions and Old Dog Media’s production of Little J and Big Cuz just picked up a 2017 SAE ATOM (Australian Teachers of Media) Award for Best Children’s Television Program. Director, Tony Thorne worked with Blue Rocket’s team in Hobart on the co-production which was a first for Indigenous television in Australia. Producer Alicia Rackett congratulated Ned Lander, Tony Thorne and all the cast and crew. Little J and Big Cuz was commissioned by NITV, and received production investment from Screen Tasmania, Screen Australia, Film Victoria, and ACER. The series, which follows the family’s daily adventures and is told primarily from the perspective of five-year old Little J, who has just started his first year of school. In each episode, Little J and his cousin find out more about their world and themselves – in the backyard, the classroom, or on Country. Little J and Big Cuz is distributed worldwide by The Australian Children’s Television Foundation.

Blue Rocket and Beyond’s recent production of Fanshaw & Crudnut has been nominated for the Animated Series of the Year Award in the 17th Screen Producers Australia Awards. The 52 episode series and feature length telemovie, produced by Alicia Rackett and directed by David Gurney, was commissioned by Nine Network Australia and with investment from Screen Tasmania. This is probably the first time in the history of the SPA Awards that slugs from outer space have been nominated for an award. Let’s hope they behave themselves on the night of the awards. The series and telemovie is being distributed worldwide by Beyond Distribution.

Ned Lander Media and Old Dog Pictures’ production of Little J & Big Cuz is a finalist in the ATOM Awards’ Best Children's Television Program and the Best Indigenous Video or Website categories. Additionally, the Where is Aaron? interactive storybook developed by Deeper Richer has also received a nomination in the Best Educational App or Ebook category. And all this good news about the series, directed by Tony Thorne, is following the announcement of the Little J & Big Cuz series' inclusion at the 2017 Chicago International Children's Film Festival. Little J & Big Cuz was commissioned by NITV with investment and support from Screen Australia, The Australian Council for Educational Research, Film Victoria, Screen Tasmania and co-produced by Blue Rocket’s Alicia Rackett and Media World Pictures’ Colin South. The series is distributed by the Australian Childrens’ Television Foundation.

Lucy’s Cannon, a new animated TV series project from Blue Rocket Productions and Beyond Screen Production, has been selected to be shown at the Asian Animation Summit in Brisbane in November 2016. Created by Sheridan Robins and Darren Tattersall, Lucy’s Cannon tells the story of Lucy, who fires her smelly little brother from a cannon and they blast off into adventures all over the world. Blue Rocket’s producer, Alicia Rackett says “Lucy’s Cannon has a distinct visual style and quirky humour that immediately grabbed our attention. It is one of the cutest and funniest concepts we have seen in a long time.” Lucy’s Cannon is being co-produced by Blue Rocket Productions and Beyond Screen Production, and worldwide distribution is being handled by Beyond Distribution in London.

We're very proud that Blue Rocket's Co-Founder and Producer Alicia Rackett has been selected as a finalist in the Entrepreneur category of the Telstra Business Women's Awards.

Read more about her achievements and the event here.

Blue Rocket’s latest production Fanshaw & Crudnut launches at MIPCOM in Cannes, France. The production, co-produced by Blue Rocket and Beyond Screen Production - a division of Beyond International, is the first of a series of co-productions between the two companies. Fanshaw & Crudnut is a 52 episode television series about two bickering slugs in outer space who work for an ungrateful slug princess. The television series is accompanied by a feature length telemovie, a Christmas special, titled Attack of the Slug Santas. Fanshaw & Crudnut was selected by C21 magazine as one of their top 21 kids shows to be released at the market, Broadcast Magazine also selected Fanshaw & Crudnut as one of their must-see kids shows for MIPCOM. The production was commissioned by Nine Network Australia and has received production investment from Screen Tasmania. Fanshaw & Crudnut is being distributed worldwide by Beyond Distribution.

For over 10 years, our friends at Khmer Creations have supported Cambodian women to pursue economic independence and career passion through creating beautiful jewellery and accessories. Now, they want to go one step further and open a boutique to showcase their hand-crafted work in Phnom Penh – a city emerging as an ethical shopping destination.

The talented women employed by Khmer Creations are excited about the prospect of having a shop where they can interact face-to-face with customers and hopefully create a higher demand for their products, which will mean more work and income for them.

Khmer Creations have launched a crowd funding campaign to make this shop a reality! You can follow the link to pledge your support at Start Some Good https://startsomegood.com/khmercreations

For more information or to purchase products online visit their website: www.khmercreations.org

Blue Rocket is proud to be a major sponsor of Step-Up, a new Wide Angle Tasmania production initiative that supports Tasmanian filmmakers to develop and produce a short film specifically for International Film Festival entry. Over 100 Tasmanians and major sponsors Crowe Horwath and Blue Rocket Productions contributed $23,000 to the Step-Up Film Initiative. Through Creative Partnerships, all donations to the fund were matched, providing Wide Angle with much needed funds in 2016 since government funding of the not-for-profit organisation has ceased. The funding has resulted in two new short films being produced.

A Girl Needs a Bike - Letitia Lamb and Vivien Mason produced an animated documentary about the story of Clara, who has the unusual job of sharing the gift of independence through teaching girls the joy of riding a bike in rural Ghana.

Bloodgurgler - a dark comedy/thriller by writer Adam Ransley and directed by Daniel James about a naïve young office worker who defeats his opponents in an online role-play game, and must fight for his life as his opponents take revenge in the real world.

Wide Angle Tasmania’s General Manager Abi Binning says “We have a deep pool of talent in Tasmania but it’s incredibly difficult for early career filmmakers to keep building on their film successes – making high quality films is very difficult without access to equipment, mentors and cash. The Step-Up Initiative is designed to provide talented filmmakers with the means to make their next defining film.”

The team at Blue Rocket has turned their coffee addiction into a positive contribution! For a small donation, employees are using the in-house coffee machine for their fundraising efforts. As a studio making animated children’s television, Blue Rocket decided to support organisations that benefit kids. And that’s exactly what they’ve done by teaming up with Khmer Creations.

Founded in 2007 as a response to the prevalent issue of sex trafficking in Cambodia, Khmer Creations is a social enterprise aimed at growing a creative and sustainable business that produces handmade jewellery and accessories. Their jewellery project provides skills and training, along with viable employment opportunities for women wanting to leave exploitative industries and others that are at risk of entering the industry.

The money raised by Blue Rocket helps provide services and facilities for the children of the women working within Khmer Creations. Through their small donations, the Blue Rocket coffee drinkers have contributed towards carers, day trips, books, and even a TV and DVD player so the kids can watch TV shows and nursery songs!

Run by an all-female local team in Cambodia with support from its founders based in Australia, Khmer Creations has grown to provide full-time employment, education and support to 7 talented women. To find out more and purchase some of their funky creations, visit their website: http://khmercreations.com.au/

One of Blue Rocket and Beyond’s new projects, Calypso Chew has secured script development funding at the Australian Children’s Television Foundation’s final board meeting for the year on 24 November 2015. The concept, optioned from creator Sal Balharrie will be executive produced by Ron Saunders from Beyond and David Gurney from Blue Rocket, and produced by Blue Rocket’s Alicia Rackett. Calypso Chew is one of a slate of children’s television programs being developed and produced by Blue Rocket and Beyond as part of a strategic partnership between the two companies.

Blue Rocket Productions and Beyond International announce a new co-production, Fanshaw & Crudnut. The feature length animated telemovie and 52 episode television series commissioned by Nine Network Australia for their GO! Channel, will be distributed internationally by Beyond Distribution. Fanshaw & Crudnut is the first production resulting from a strategic partnership between Beyond and Blue Rocket to jointly develop and produce a range of children’s television programming. The production has attracted investment from Screen Tasmania and will take 2 years to produce, employing over 40 Tasmanian cast and crew in addition to writers and other subcontractors. The production was launched by The Hon. Dr Vanessa Goodwin, Attorney General of Tasmania and Minister for the Arts.