Technicolor and SimEx-Iwerks to co-produce, The Deep 4D: mystery of the ancient amulet

September 21, 2017 – Technicolor, a worldwide technology leader in the media and entertainment sector, has signed an agreement with Academy Award-winning SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment, a leading innovator and designer of immersive 3-D and 4-D attractions, to create a 4-D theatrical experience based on the underwater adventure series The Deep, that will premiere at landmark venues globally starting in Spring 2018.

The new 4-D theatrical event, The Deep: Mystery of the Ancient Amulet, will provide a 12-minute fully immersive 3-D viewing experience, featuring exclusive new 3-D CG animation, an original story line, and stunning special effects—delivering on the 4-D experience with vibrating seats, water spraying, bubbles and more.  The in-theater experience will be available at zoos, theme parks, aquariums and other venues around the world.

The Deep: Mystery of The Ancient Amulet follows the continuing underwater adventures of the Nekton family—a brilliant team of underwater explorers with an unquenchable thirst for discovery who utilize state-of-the-art technology to explore the mysterious depths of the oceans.  When the family come into possession of a mysterious amulet from a suspicious black market dealer, they begin their ocean journey in search of answers, but the amulet is stolen by The Dark Orca pirates, and then lost in caverns beneath the seafloor. When the Nektons finally recover the amulet, they discover its unbelievable connection to a nearby island.

Steven Wendland, VP Animation and Creative Head, Technicolor Creative Development, is the creative lead for The Deep: Mystery of the Ancient Amulet, serving as director and executive producer, with   Technicolor Animation providing the 3-D CG animation; Australia’s A Stark Production producing scripts, storyboards and music; and Canada’s DHX Media contributing post-production sound design and sound mix.

“SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment is unparalleled in its field and we’re thrilled to be creating this 4-D The Deep adventure with them,” commented Wendland. “Now that The Deep is broadcast in over 130 territories, it’s exciting to see the brand finding a new home in theme parks and other live attractions around the world.”

“Season two of the The Deep debuted on Australia’s ABC ME on August 22, and ranked as the top-rated show for the channel that day, and it also premiered on the UK’s CBBC in July, quickly ranking as the #1 series for Kids 6-12 for the week beginning July 31, according to BARB,” added Pam Kunick-Cohen, Head of Brand Management, Licensing and Merchandising, Technicolor.  “It is this kind of success, evidenced by our distribution partners around the world, that has opened up many possibilities for us to grow the brand across different formats, including this incredible partnership with SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment to create and deliver a high-energy, unforgettable and exhilarating show for families to enjoy and further engage with The Deep.”

“The Deep delivers exactly what our partners across the globe want—an action-packed, family-based adventure,” said Mike Frueh, Senior Vice President, Licensing and Distribution, SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment.  “Additionally, the tie to the ocean will inspire young guests towards environmental stewardship which is an important message to our many zoo and aquarium partners worldwide.”

The Deep has garnered several international industry nominations and awards, including the 2017 Kidscreen Award for Best New Series (Kids Category); the Golden Sparrow Award at the German Children’s Media Festival; and multiple nominations for the 50th Annual AWGIE Awards in Australia for Children’s Television, with writer Thomas Duncan-Watt winning the AWGIE for his script Beware The Sentinels in the Children’s Television category ‘C’ Classification, children’s 5-14 years.

Technicolor is the underlying rights holder to The Deep and has oversight for the brand overall, managing the brand licensing extensions with CPLG, a DHX Media company who serves as the multi-territory licensing agent for the brand, including North America, EMEA (excluding Germany) and Latin America. A Stark Production and DHX Media are the co-producers of The Deep animated series, with distribution handled by DHX Media.

The Deep is based on the Aurealis Award-winning graphic novel series created by multi-award-winning best-selling comic book author and playwright Tom Taylor (All New Wolverine, Earth 2, Superior Iron Man, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Injustice: Gods Among Us, Star Wars: Blood Ties), illustrated by James Brouwer (Justice League Beyond), and published by Gestalt Comics. Taylor serves as co-creator and lead writer of the series and Brouwer serves as co-creator and art director.

Man, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Injustice: Gods Among Us, Star Wars: Blood Ties), illustrated by James Brouwer (Justice League Beyond), and published by Gestalt Comics. Taylor serves as co-creator and lead writer of the series and Brouwer serves as co-creator and art director.

About SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment

SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment is the world leader in 4-D Experiences® specializing in the design, build and operation of special F/X driven cinematic attractions that feature blockbuster content from the world’s major film studios. With award-winning attractions and film content, SimEx-Iwerks has created successful partnerships with more than 150 family-friendly attractions in more than 30 countries reaching more than 50 million guests each year.  SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment is the exclusive distributor of The Deep 4-D Experience.

About DHX Media Ltd.

DHX Media Ltd. (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B; NASDAQ: DHXM) is a leading children’s content and brands company, recognized globally for such high-profile properties as Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou, Inspector Gadget, and the acclaimed Degrassi franchise. One of the world’s foremost producers of children’s shows, DHX Media owns the world’s largest independent library of children’s content, at 13,000 half-hours. It licenses its content to broadcasters and streaming services worldwide and generates royalties through its global consumer products program. Through its subsidiary, WildBrain, DHX Media operates one of the largest networks of children’s channels on YouTube. Headquartered in Canada, DHX Media has 20 offices worldwide. Visit us at www.dhxmedia.com.

About A Stark Production Pty. Ltd (ASP).

A Stark Production (ASP) is a leader in the creative development and production of quality children’s animation and teams with global partners to deliver successful internationally co-produced shows. From its inception the company has been led by Avrill Stark, an independent and highly creative producer who has teamed with companies to produce series across a broad age range, preschool – teens.  She has received many nominations and awards for outstanding animation: the prestigious UNICEF Award at Annecy, the Elan Award for Best Animated Television Production and numerous nominations for the Australian Film Industry (AFI) Awards.  ASP prides itself on the development of both series and feature films with a diverse appeal both in animation and live action for children.  Above all we make ‘having fun’ a priority in our pursuit of excellence!

About CPLG

CPLG (www.cplg.com) is one of the world’s leading entertainment, sport and brand licensing agencies with offices in the UK, Benelux, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Poland, Middle East, Greece & Turkey and the US. Owned by DHX Media (www.dhxmedia.com) a leader in the creation, production and licensing of family entertainment rights, CPLG has more than 40 years of experience in the licensing industry. It provides each of its clients with dedicated licensing and marketing industry professionals and a fully-integrated product development, legal and accounting service.   CPLG believe that partnership is about clarity, openness and trust, and is widely known for its no-nonsense, straightforward approach; Expert Common Sense.