Latest news with #MagicLightPictures
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC's Annual Julia Donaldson Christmas Animation Will Be ‘The Scarecrows' Wedding'; Rob Brydon, Jessie Buckley & Domhnall Glesson In Voice Cast
The annual BBC animated Christmas special this year will The Scarecrow's Wedding. As is the case every year, a Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler children's book will be adapted by Magic Light Pictures for broadcast on BBC One and streaming on BBC iPlayer. More from Deadline BBC Drama 'Mr Loverman' Lands U.S. Home At BritBox Laurie Kynaston, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell & Alex Lawther Leading Feel-Good Drama Series 'Leonard And Hungry Paul' For BBC & RTÉ BBC Studios Restructures Production Division With Formation Of Unscripted & Global Units The half-hour animated special will feature a voice cast including Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip), Jessie Buckley (Wicked Little Letters, Wild Rose), Domhnall Gleeson (About Time, Alice and Jack), with Sophie Okonedo (Slow Horses, Hotel Rwanda) as the Narrator. The story follows two devoted scarecrows, Betty O'Barley (Buckley) and Harry O'Hay (Gleeson), who are planning a wedding to remember. Per the synopsis: 'When Harry insists on leaving the farm to collect one last thing for their big day, a smooth-talking scarecrow named Reginald Rake (Brydon) swoops in with plans of his own. Chaos follows, and soon Betty's in danger and everything's at risk. Can Harry get back in time and save the day? Full of heart, humour and adventure, this is the joyful tale about loyalty, love and learning that the most important thing isn't a grand gesture – it's simply being together.' Directors are Samantha Cutler and Jeroen Jaspaert, with Barney Goodland and Micheal Rose of Magic Light Pictures the producers. The outgoing BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore and Nawfal Faizullah, BBC Drama Commissioning Editor, acquired the special. Donaldson's books have been the bedrock of the BBC's annual Christmas specials, with this being the 13th to be adapted. Last year's Tiddler took an audience of 7.3 million, which was the highest share for a Magic Light film since The Gruffalo in 2009. Her picture books remain among the most popular in the UK. It was recently announced she was writing a new 'Gruffalo' book, 21 years after the last one, 'The Gruffalo's Child', which was adapted by the BBC in 2011. 'The Scarecrows' Wedding is my favourite of all the books I've created with Axel Scheffler, so I'm extra specially pleased that it is to be this year's animated adaptation from Magic Light Pictures,' said Donaldson. 'It's a love story set on a farm by the sea, and the story contains a lot of comedy and a Hollywood-style villain. Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, added: 'We're incredibly proud of our enduring partnership with Julia, Axel and Magic Light Pictures, and can't wait to bring the Scarecrows' big day to millions of viewers across the UK this Christmas. Much like the wedding itself, this charming, funny and exquisitely animated adventure has all the perfect ingredients.' Best of Deadline Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds All The 'Mission: Impossible' Movies In Order - See Tom Cruise's 30-Year Journey As Ethan Hunt Denzel Washington's Career In Pictures: From 'Carbon Copy' To 'The Equalizer 3'
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Gavin and Stacey star's next project announced but fans will have to wait to see it
Gavin and Stacey star's next project announced but fans will have to wait to see it Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon is set to star in a new BBC animation Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon has landed an exciting new role (Image: (Image: PA) ) Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon has landed an exciting new role however fans have to wait a while before they can watch it. The actor, 60, who is known for his role as Uncle Bryn, will star in new BBC animation The Scarecrows' Wedding, which is based on the hit book by Julia Donaldson. The half-hour animated special features an all-star voice cast with Rob voicing Reginald Rake. Meanwhile co-star Jessie Buckley will voice Betty O'Barley and Domhnall Gleeson as Harry O'Hay. The storyline will be led by Sophie Okonedo, who is the Narrator and viewers will be able to watch the new film this Christmas on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The Scarecrows' Wedding is an enchanting story about two devoted scarecrows, Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay, who are planning a wedding to remember. The actor is well known for his role as Uncle Bryn on Gavin and Stacey Article continues below Ruth Jones shares huge career update after Gavin and Stacey finale READ MORE: The synopsis continues: 'When Harry insists on leaving the farm to collect one last thing for their big day, a smooth-talking scarecrow named Reginald Rake swoops in with plans of his own. 'Chaos follows, and soon Betty's in danger and everything's at risk. Can Harry get back in time and save the day? Full of heart, humour and adventure, this is the joyful tale about loyalty, love and learning that the most important thing isn't a grand gesture – it's simply being together.' Speaking about the movie, Rob's co-star Jessie Buckley said: "I love this story. The film has so many beautiful little moments but I love the scene where the first glimmers of love get expressed between Harry and Betty – the anxiety and the tentativeness around that.' BBC and Magic Light Pictures announce The Scarecrows' Wedding, based on the hit book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler She added: 'They're both edging closer and closer to being in the relationship, realising that they want to be together… we've all been there. It's all about young love, and recognising what's important to you in life. " The film is the 13th animated special that Magic Light Pictures have produced for the BBC. Last year's animation, Tiddler, saw an audience of 7.3 million and the highest audience share on Christmas Day for a Magic Light Pictures film since The Gruffalo in 2009. Article continues below Director of BBC Drama Lindsay Salt added: 'We're incredibly proud of our enduring partnership with Julia, Axel and Magic Light Pictures, and can't wait to bring the Scarecrows' big day to millions of viewers across the UK this Christmas. "Much like the wedding itself, this charming, funny and exquisitely animated adventure has all the perfect ingredients.' The Scarecrows' Wedding will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One this Christmas.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Council removes Gruffalo sculptures from park over copyright breach
Gruffalo sculptures have been removed from a beauty spot following claims that they breached copyright. The wooden carvings at Orrest Head, near Windermere in the Lake District, were taken down after a complaint by the popular children's books' copyright owner. Magic Light Pictures, which licences the rights to The Gruffalo on behalf of creators Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, wrote to the local council demanding their removal. Locals are now in uproar after the sculptures, which are privately owned, were taken away. Tamsin Travis, who runs a social media account encouraging people to visit the Lakes, said the sculptures had been there for a decade 'with no issue'. 'It's such an important part of the local community and it's such a wonderful site for children and families to enjoy without any expectation of buying anything,' she told BBC Radio Cumbria. Ms Travis called for the sculptures to be reinstalled 'for families to enjoy'. Magic Light Pictures wrote to Windermere Town Council claiming that the sculptures constituted 'copyright infringement'. 'These are licenced characters and you do not have permission to use these character likenesses on your site at Orrest Head (or any other site), as such activity represents copyright infringement,' the letter read. It asked the council to take photographs of the sculptures to enable it to 'determine the most appropriate next action'. Magic Light Pictures has licenced trails of Gruffalo carvings at Whinlatter Forest, near Cockermouth, and Grizedale Forest, to the west of Windermere, which are run by Forestry England. The Gruffalo, which was first published in 1999, is one of the most popular children's books in the world and has been adapted into theatre productions and a film. It tells the story of a mouse's woodland encounter with the Gruffalo, a scary beast which the mouse escapes through trickery. The book and its spin-off, The Gruffalo's Child, have sold more than 17 million copies worldwide. Sally Parkyn, the town clerk, told BBC News: 'All of us are working together to find a solution to what was just a mistake. We understand we should have thought about the copyright issue.' Magic Light Pictures was approached for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gruffalo carvings removed over copyright claims
Sculptures of characters from children's book The Gruffalo have been removed from a beauty spot over a copyright row. Windermere Town Council asked for the carvings to be removed from Orrest Head after it received a letter saying it infringed copyright. Tamsin Travis, who runs a social media account with the aim of encouraging people to visit the Lake District, said she felt "incredulity and profound disappointment" at the removal. The council said it was trying to find a solution. Both the owners of the sculptures and Gruffalo licence holders Magic Light Pictures both declined to comment. Ms Travis told BBC Radio Cumbria the original Gruffalo carving had been there for almost a decade "with no issue". "It's such an important part of the local community and it's such a wonderful site for children and families to enjoy without any expectation of buying anything." She added that she wanted to see the carvings reinstated "for families to enjoy". The sculptures are privately owned by a family in the area. Production company Magic Light Pictures licenses the rights to The Gruffalo on behalf of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, who created it. A letter from Magic Light Pictures to the town council read: "These are licensed characters and you do not have permission to use these character likenesses on your site at Orrest Head (or any other site), as such activity represents copyright infringement." It went on to say Magic Light Pictures had an agreement with Forestry England, which had licenced trails at Whinlatter and Grizedale Forests, and the sculptures at Orrest Head conflicted with that partnership. The company asked for pictures of the carvings so it could "determine the most appropriate next action". Town clerk Sally Parkyn said: "All of us are working together to find a solution to what was just a mistake. "We understand we should have thought about the copyright issue." Forestry England has been approached for comment. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here Gruffalo and Tiddler illustrator on the 'imperfections' of his work Julia Donaldson: The Gruffalo hogs too much attention Windermere Town Council
BBC News
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Orrest Head Gruffalo carvings removed over copyright claims
Sculptures of characters from children's book The Gruffalo have been removed from a beauty spot over a copyright Town Council asked for the carvings to be removed from Orrest Head after it received a letter saying it infringed Travis, who runs a social media account with the aim of encouraging people to visit the Lake District, said she felt "incredulity and profound disappointment" at the council said it was trying to find a solution. Both the owners of the sculptures and Gruffalo licence holders Magic Light Pictures both declined to comment. Ms Travis told BBC Radio Cumbria the original Gruffalo carving had been there for almost a decade "with no issue"."It's such an important part of the local community and it's such a wonderful site for children and families to enjoy without any expectation of buying anything."She added that she wanted to see the carvings reinstated "for families to enjoy". The sculptures are privately owned by a family in the company Magic Light Pictures licenses the rights to The Gruffalo on behalf of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, who created it.A letter from Magic Light Pictures to the town council read: "These are licensed characters and you do not have permission to use these character likenesses on your site at Orrest Head (or any other site), as such activity represents copyright infringement."It went on to say Magic Light Pictures had an agreement with Forestry England, which had licenced trails at Whinlatter and Grizedale Forests, and the sculptures at Orrest Head conflicted with that company asked for pictures of the carvings so it could "determine the most appropriate next action".Town clerk Sally Parkyn said: "All of us are working together to find a solution to what was just a mistake."We understand we should have thought about the copyright issue."Forestry England has been approached for comment. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here
