Northern Ireland-based animation studio LTL Productions has forged a partnership with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for ‘Lifeboat Luke’, a 52x5” series aimed at 4-7 year olds.
The deal will see a percentage of the profits from ‘Lifeboat Luke’, which features the adventures of a young lifeboat, be donated to the RNLI and the work of its volunteers.
Directed by Alastair McIlwain and produced by Richard Morss, the series follows the adventures of Lifeboat Luke and his friends in the crazy magical Irish seaside town of Donaghadoo. Each cartoon touches on the important issues of water safety, though in an entertaining way. The stories use narration, effects and music and are easily re-versioned for different languages.
“The RNLI is very excited to be involved with ‘Lifeboat Luke’,” said Spencer Gammond, Head of RNLI External Communications. “Luke is a brave young Lifeboat who is faced with many challenges and we are delighted our Lifeboat name is being used in such a positive way. The cartoon exposes young children to some key safety messages in a fun way and we are sure that this series will help inspire a new generation of RNLI supporters.”
“As a sailor myself, I’ve a lifelong interest in the show’s subject,” said Lifeboat Luke’s creator and director, Alastair McIlwain. “In fact I first talked to RNLI about Lifeboat Luke in 1992 so I’m delighted that the partnership will enable some of our profits to go to help the work of the RNLI and its volunteer crews. I ’m also really delighted that we’ve managed to produce and finance the series entirely within the island of Ireland. It was worth the wait!’
‘Lifeboat Luke’ has been co-produced by award-winning Dublin-based animation studio Kavaleer. The project has been financed through a combination of private investment and support from the Northern Ireland Screen Commission, the Irish Film Board, the Broadcast Commission Ireland Sound &Vision, Banjax Studios Ltd and founder broadcaster RTÉ.
Dublin-based Monster Distributes is selling the worldwide TV and DV rights to ‘Lifeboat Luke’
The series has already been snapped up by RTÉ, US Hi-def Channel Animania and RTV Slovenia.
For more information on ‘Lifeboat Luke’, visit www.lifeboatluke.co.uk.
