|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Strange things are happening in Sycamore Dale! Fluorescent tentacles are crawling through sewers, werewolves are spotted on rollerblades, and a giant rat has been chasing cats down the street. Monsters from old Z horror movies lurk in the shadows and haunt what used to be a quiet little town. Erica and Trevor know all this, but no one believes them. To save their town, they must send every monster back into the movie from which it escaped. In fact, they’re the only ones who can stop … The Spooky Monsters!
That is the clever premise behind Cyber Group Studios’ new show Erica & Trevor vs. Spooky Monsters, a 26 x 22-minute 2D-animated series, which is being showcased at the Cartoon Forum event in Toulouse, France, this month. Created by Julien Dinse and Cédric Stephan, the toon is the subject of a special presentation at the event, featuring Dinse and the teaser trailer’s director Olivier Pouchelon, as well as Cyber Groups Studios’ SVP, Creative Development & Artistic Production Pierre Belaïsch and Artistic Producer Maud Chougui.
A History of Forum Hits
“Cyber Group Studios is very proud of this selection, as it underscores the company’s commitment to expand its range of content to include a wider array of animation styles to appeal to audiences across a broader age range,” says Raphaelle Mathieu, the French studio’s COO. “Last year, the company introduced The Tern, an exciting new anime action-adventure series targeted at viewers ages 12 and above. Canal+ announced the acquisition of the series during a press conference at this year’s MIFA Market. In 2021, we also presented our show The McFire Family, a 52 x 11’ series, which is now in production.”
Mathieu says she and her team are excited to present the international broadcast community with this fun and spooky new comedy series. “Erica & Trevor vs. Spooky Monsters marks the company’s further expansion into the comedy genre with content we hope that parents will enjoy watching and laughing along with their kids,” she points out. “We developed the series so that it has something for everyone — from audiences ages six to 96!”
According to Mathieu, comedy offers a fun way to address any topic. Erica & Trevor vs. Spooky Monsters stands out by blending comedy and age-appropriate spookiness in a unique way, providing amusement and “safe scares” while ultimately leading young viewers to confront their fears. “The series never takes itself too seriously, rather the main aim is to have fun and support kids in overcoming some of their fears,” she notes.
She also mentions that the relationship between the show’s main characters — Erica the babysitter and Trevor the kid — will be very relatable to kids and parents universally. “The duo’s goal is to discover each monster’s weakness and, in doing so, tackle their own fears,” Mathieu points out. “Also, the monsters featured in the series are ‘serious,’ but they look ridiculous and funny, as they all come straight from the Z movies of Goodman Films.”
Totally Awesome ’80s
In addition, Mathieu says she loves the series’ ability to infuse nostalgia with a modern twist. “We expect that element to appeal to both kids and their parents,” she explains. “The incorporation of ’80s references, like VHS tapes and vibrant aesthetics, offer a nod to the past while also providing a captivating backdrop for the animated adventures. Viewers who are familiar with ’80s culture will be able to immediately spot and appreciate those nostalgic elements, and those who weren’t yet born yet in that decade will be able to immerse themselves in that period and fully enjoy the series, too. This inclusive approach to nostalgia truly makes the show a standout as well.”
The animation veteran adds that the show’s unwavering focus on addressing fears through interesting characters like Trevor showcases a thoughtful storytelling approach. “This also serves as a valuable tool to help children navigate their own fears,” says Mathieu. “Last, but not least, the trailer we have produced is hilarious. The series’ visual approach is very unique. We are so grateful to have such a talented team working on the show and are hopeful it will be warmly received, both by the industry and kids around the globe.”
Cyber Group Studios will present Erica & Trevor vs. Spooky Monsters at Cartoon Forum in Toulouse (Sept. 18-21). For more information about the studio, visit cybergroupstudios.com.
