Pic Me
Pic Me is an Irish children's television show which originally aired on RTÉ, later airing on TG4 and Nick Jr. channels throughout Europe.[1] Deals were also done with the BBC and HIT Entertainment, the international distribution arm of The Jim Henson Company.[2] Since mid-2008, episodes of Pic Me have begun to air in the United States on PBS Kids Sprout. Also, in the United States a Spanish-dubbed version airs on V-Me.
Format
Episodes of Pic Me last for approximately five to ten minutes. Pic Me is an innovative show in that it allows its viewers to star in each episode. Every episode has one viewer's photograph superimposed on a cartoon body. These characters then roam around the story, walking, running, jumping, and physically interacting with the main cartoon characters. The viewer characters never speak, and the other characters do not refer to them by name. Instead, they are referred to as "Little Boy" or "Little Girl" as is relevant.
Since the start of 2007, many new episodes of Pic Me have involved two viewers, instead of just one. These "best friends" type episodes have the main star viewer holding, or looking at, a picture of their real-life "best friend". Another episode starring the "best friend" is shown at a later date, with the situation regarding the pictures reversed.
Characters
The main characters in Pic Me include:-
- Juno - a male lion with a nasal voice that sounds like he has a permanent cold. He is generally insecure and often seen to be frightened of confrontation. He is very forgetful, but loves having fun with his friends.
- Gerty - a female giraffe. She is quite intelligent and loves to cook, but is very fussy and likes things to be clean.
- Banjo - a male purple monkey
- Umi - a red, female parrot. She is clever and fun, but can have a brash attitude towards other characters, although not the "Little Boy" or "Little Girl". She is very talkative, but friendly. She enjoys carrying her friends into the air to "look at the sky". Presumably they enjoy this.
- Clarence - a male alligator who has an inferiority complex. He is proud of his ability to swim, but otherwise can get very nervous around other characters.
- Neville - a blue, male elephant. He is the most intelligent character and is the character who gives everyone else good advice. They all ask him questions and - after screwing up his eyes - he will eventually give the right answer. He is a moral character and teaches the others right from wrong.
The purpose of the show is to help teach children. The viewers learn lessons from the differences between right and wrong (not telling lies etc.) to learning shapes, colours and counting.
Awards
- Best digital storytelling category (2005 Digital Media Awards)[1]
- Best Youth Programme (2005 Irish Film and Television Awards)[1]
References
- 1 2 3 Ozler, Levent (19 April 2006). "Jam Media: Dublin Animation Company Wins Nickelodeon Deal". Archived from the original on 9 April 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2006.
- ↑ McCaughren, Samantha (15 November 2006). "Jam Media signs two global cartoon deals". Irish Independent. Retrieved 15 November 2006.