Mumbai: Chennai based KEN Group has launched its production arm in the US for developing films and television series.
Producer-director-writer Jack Olesker, creator of the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers television series, has been named president of KEN Creative Studio.
Olesker’s immediate task will be to develop a slate of original animated feature films and television series for distribution in the US and internationally, and to be produced jointly in the US and India.
KEN Creative Studio produces content for films, broadcast media, and games. The company has an animation production studio, which develops IPs for films, home DVDs and television.
The studio is currently producing its animated film called Ninja Knights: When Warrior Worlds Collide, written, produced and directed by Olesker and scheduled for worldwide release. A trailer for the film was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival and American Film Market earlier this year.
The studio is also in post-production on the pilot episode of Hip Hop Fables, an animated television series with a budget of $10 million.
Olesker was earlier with DIC Entertainment and has written for series like The Littles, The Care Bears, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Super Mario Bros and M.A.S.K. He
KEN Creative Studio CEO V S Sundararajan said, "Our goal is to develop Ken Creative Studio into a major force in motion picture and television animation worldwide and we are confident that Olesker is the ideal person to lead that effort."
KEN Creative Studio is also looking for global co-productions, alliances, acquisitions and outsourcing projects in the animated entertainment field.
KEN Creative Studio has established its U.S. headquarters in New Buffalo, Michigan and has a production facility in Chennai, India with a staff of 95 animators.
"Although countries such as Taiwan and Thailand have long been involved in outsourced animation production, the Indian market remains largely one of untapped potential. In India, we can produce animation at a highly competitive price and the quality is amazing. What we are producing at KEN Creative Studio compares favorably to the best animation in the industry, including Pixar and Disney. It amazes me that there has not been a US television series or film produced in India before now. We will change that in short order," Olesker said.
