What started out as a retired orchestral musician’s hobby is turning into a major animated series. Australian Scott Strachan was relaxing on his ranch not too long ago when he began sketching the farm animals he saw around him. Soon after he started designing T-shirts using his new characters, and the new CGI series FARMkids was born.

‘FARMkids is about a bunch of farm animals that were city slicker superstars, who toured shopping malls and were then dumped on a farm and know nothing about being real farm animals,’ says Strachan explaining the show’s premise.

The series is targeted at the six to 11 demo, although Strachan says that its humour and well meaning message should jive with parents as well.

Produced with partner Ian Jones, the first 26 x15-minute eps are in the can and plans are in the works to produce 26 more. Also, a feature film script is near completion.

Enter L.A.-based studio Porchlight Entertainment. EVP and COO/CFO William Bauman was so impressed with the fish-out-of-water premise and light comedic charm of the series that his company has agreed to handle the international distribution for the series at MIPTV.

‘We are close to closing on two different (broadcast) deals and we will be announcing those at MIPTV,’ says Bauman. ‘I think it will fit in many, many territories; US, Europe and Latin America are high on the list.’

As well, an online component is in the works, and Bauman says that the series is easily repurposed for online and mobile platforms.