The first original production to come out of SPI and Southern Light’s newly opened animation studio in Manila will be a series entitled Goofballs, comprised of 200 one-minute shorts. Featuring wacky characters along the lines of Dr. Seuss, the series targets kids ages six to 12. As the shorts contain no dialogue-just music and effects-Goofballs is expected to skew younger and older than the target demo, depending on the needs of different outlets. (at press time no broadcasters were yet on board.)

A co-production with L.A.-based Riverstar Entertainment, Goofballs is budgeted at US$1.5 million. Currently in pre-production at Riverstar, and slated for delivery this summer, the series will undergo a final touching-up stage at SPI’s post-production facilities in New York. With satellite offices in Turkey and France, and a new office in Korea, SPI celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

The company recently forged a partnership with Southern Lights to open the new studio in Manila, where up to six episodes of animated product will be produced each month. Besides Goofballs, the fledgling studio has also begun production on two animated series called Baydog and Toromiro.