Jungle Beat (TV series)
 | This article, Jungle Beat (TV series), has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary.
Reviewer tools: Inform author |
| Jungle Beat | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy Slice of life |
| Created by | Brent Dawes |
| Directed by | Brent Dawes |
| Country of origin | South Africa |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 39 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Phil Cunningham Jacqui Cunningham |
| Running time | 5 minutes |
| Production company | Sunrise Productions |
| Original release | |
| Release | 1 October 2005 – present |
| Related | |
| Munki and Trunk | |
Plot
Jungle Beat is a family-friendly series of CGI animated, self-contained, dialogue-free, 5-minute episodes focusing on different animals and the bizarre situations they encounter in nature.[1] [2]
Production
Jungle Beat is produced by Sunrise Productions, a CG animation studio based in Cape Town, South Africa. The first episode of Jungle Beat, Always Take the Weather with You was produced in Harare in 2003. Initially produced as a VFX test for fur and weather effects, the 5-minute short was an unexpected success, and went on to win a number of awards, including “Best Animation” at the African Eye Animation Festival and the Audience Award at Sao Paulo’s Anima Mundi International Animation Festival in 2004[3].
This short, which follows the adventures of a monkey in extreme weather conditions, served as the pilot episode of Jungle Beat[4] and the story structure of an animal navigating its way through a quirky predicament became the format for each 5-minute episode of Jungle Beat's 3 seasons.
Characters
The Jungle Beat series consists of standalone shorts which follow the antics and adventures of a different animal in each episode.[5] Several of the more popular characters, such as Giraffe, Elephant, Monkey, Bee and Hedgehog, feature in multiple episodes, facing a different predicament in each.
Character list
- Ant is a hard worker, but it’s not easy being a very tiny creature in an enormous world. Sometimes, Ant finds himself in sticky situations, but he never gives up, proving that you don’t need to be big to have a big impact!
- Baby Ostrich is utterly delighted by the big wide world, and craves nothing more than freedom and adventure! She’s plucky and brave; always ready to face a new challenge.
- Bee is crafty and curious and loves to have fun. He is a bit of a daydreamer and often gets up to mischief, but in the end, he’s always there for the swarm!
- Chameleon is the most cautious and reserved of the Jungle Beat characters, but even he can’t resist letting go and having a bit of colourful fun on a ride through a rainbow! Who could?
- Elephant is a big character with a big heart. This gentle giant might be a little clumsy, but she wouldn't hurt a fly, and if she did, she’d do her very best to make up for it!
- Firefly is young and spirited, with a big imagination! Sometimes, though, his big imagination creates big imaginary fears, and Firefly has to muster the bravery to face these fears, whether they’re real or not!
- Fish is happy and bubbly, and always looking for new friends. She may not be the brightest undersea creature, but she more than makes up for it with enthusiasm, playfulness and heart.
- Frog is happy and carefree, and tends to mind his own business. Unluckily for him, though, funny business always seems to find him anyway!
- Giraffe might be the tallest animal around, but that doesn’t stop him from being a bit of a chicken! He is generally carefree and lost in his own thoughts, but as soon as something unexpected happens, it's a fast downward spiral, often accompanied by screaming!
- Hedgehog is grumpy. The slightest irritation can turn him into a tiny ball of fury - which, because he’s so cute, is always hilarious.
- Hermit Crab is a recluse, and would likely be an obsessive compulsive if crabs were prone to such things. He is paranoid and over the top, and totally endearing because of it.
- Monkey is a happy-go-lucky fellow, always inquisitive and ready to use his intelligence and agility to overcome obstacles. He is particularly energetic and determined when there are bananas involved!
- Octopus is completely harmless in every way, although he reckons he is the ultimate genius super-villian of the deep blue sea. Not to toot his own horn, but Octopus thinks his cleverness is definitely his most attractive feature!
- Ostrich is an excellent mom who is devoted to her little ones. She might get a little fretful at times, but that’s understandable, especially since she has to keep an eye on the overly adventurous Baby Ostrich! It’s no wonder she’s so good at multi-tasking – she’s had enough practice!
- Tortoise’s defining feature is, of course, his shell. But is this feature a blessing or a curse, or perhaps a bit of both? Tortoise loves to explore the great outdoors, and some of his adventures force him to come out of his shell – quite literally!
Spin-off
In 2015, Sunrise expanded the Jungle Beat universe to include The Jungle Beat Explorers, a 3D 13-episode series that broadcasts exclusively on the Sunrise YouTube channel. The non-dialogue show introduced Mirabelle, Simon, Dexter and Rita, four curious, inept safari adventurers who document the wild animals of the world[6].
The Jungle Beat franchise was then further expanded with the development of Munki and Trunk, a 52 x 7 minute series aimed at kids aged 4-7. The show takes place in the Jungle Beat universe, but reintroduces the familiar animal cast as an ensemble, with more developed characters and relationships than the original parent show. The “tree-crashing, rock smashing, water-splashing, fruit-mashing, knock-about comedy adventure” centres on two unlikely best friends: crafty Munki and caring Trunk[7].
Other Media
Sunrise Productions released 'Jungle Beat: The Game' on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Released on the 24th of August 2015, the game was successful and had reached the top spot in the South African App Store by the 25th of August. The game features 25 levels and is aimed at children of 4-11 years of age.[8]
References
- ^ "Jungle Beat". Sunrise Productions. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Turner Plays to Monster's Jungle Beat". TBI Vision. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
- ^ "Sunrise Productions takes Jungle Beat forward". Media Update. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
- ^ "Jungle Beat Season 1". The TV Database. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Jungle Beat". Sunrise Productions. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Youtube-exclusive series EXPLORERS from Sunrise joins the JUNGLE BEAT stable". Animationsa.
{{cite web}}:|archive-date=requires|archive-url=(help) - ^ Milligan, Mercedes. "Aardman Brings Sunrise's 'Munki and Trunk' to MIP". Animationmagazine.net.
{{cite web}}:|archive-date=requires|archive-url=(help) - ^ Hendricks, Byron. "Jungle Beat: The Game". Fortressofsolitude.co.za.
{{cite web}}:|archive-date=requires|archive-url=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help)