Dated: 5 March 2009
Once Upon A Cyberspace series to air on MediaCorp okto in April
This morning’s launch of the Media Development Authority’s (MDA) inaugural Media Fiesta saw the unveiling of the animated Once Upon A Cyberspace series by Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Dr Lee Boon Yang.
With new media becoming inseparable from the everyday lives of the young in Singapore, this 3D programme has been produced to instill in children and their parents, the importance of Cyber Wellness and Cyber Safety in their use of new media and the Internet. Supported by MDA and produced by Singapore animation production house, Omens Studios, this six-part series highlights everyday situations where discerning and responsible use of new media and Internet should be cultivated. This initiative is in line with the government’s focus to step up Cyber Wellness and Cyber Safety public education.
Targeting 10 to 14 year olds, the series features an adaptation of identifiable and wellloved characters from fairytales—but with a twist. The characters are given a contemporary make-over and each episode is set against a present-day backdrop where new media and the Internet have a significant presence.
Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer of MDA, said, "MDA is supporting this series as part of our efforts to promote Cyber Wellness and Cyber Safety in the community. Besides being yet another prime example of quality Public Service Programmes and Made-by Singapore animation, Once Upon A Cyberspace shares the benefits of new media and the Internet but highlights the important message of being cautious against the potential dangers that arise with the use of such media. We are pleased to partner Omens Studios and work with okto, as the broadcaster for this meaningful series."
Managing Director, MediaCorp (okto, Vasantham, Suria, Eaglevision Productions), Ms Lim Suat Jien said, "okto has been effectively reaching out to its audience with programmes that have interactive elements such as oktoLIVE!, oktobite etc. Today's collaboration is a very good example of how television and the New Media complement each other. We hope that besides educating the young, this series can also reach out to adults by reinforcing the usefulness and potential dangers of the New Media."
"Omens Studios is proud to have been given the opportunity to produce this series on Cyber Wellness. With children's fluency and engagement of new media and the Internet increasing steadily, an educational series that reaches out to the young and speaks their language is important. Our approach of creating Once Upon A Cyberspace with classic characters like Little Red Riding Hood, and keeping each episode short as a bite-size one-minute interstitial, ensures that the messages resonate well with our young audience," said Mr Tang Chi Sim, Omens Studios' Managing Director and Executive Producer of Once Upon A Cyberspace.
Through Once Upon A Cyberspace, MDA also seeks to reach out to parents to raise their awareness of new media and the Internet, so that they can better guide the online habits of their children.
The Once Upon A Cyberspace series will telecast on MediaCorp okto for six weeks starting from 6 April 2009. A total of six interstitials will be aired.
Please refer to Annex A for the episodic synopses.
- ENDS –
About Media Fiesta 2009
Media Fiesta is an annual, month-long nation-wide initiative by the Media Development Authority that provides Singaporeans with fun and engaging opportunities to experience and learn more about media, and how they can use media in a responsible and discerning way, for work, learning and play. For more information on Media Fiesta, visit www.mediafiesta.sg
About Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA)
Formed in 2003, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) plays a vital role in transforming Singapore into a Global Media City and positioning it at the forefront of the digital media age. MDA spearheads initiatives that promote developments in film, video, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation, media services and Interactive Digital Media. At the same time, in ensuring clear and consistent regulatory policies and guidelines, MDA helps to foster a pro-business environment for industry players and increase media choices for consumers. For more information, visit www.mda.gov.sg and www.smf.sg
About okto
Launched on 19 October 2008, okto endeavors to be a one-stop channel that will enrich, engage and entertain, with some of the best local and international programmes for the community. The channel has a special focus on the kids and arts communities, and on User Generated Content (UGC). With this focus, we want to encourage communities to participate, grow and be an integral part of the channel.
okto telecasts from 9am to 12mn daily. Offering 105 hours of programming each week, beginning with preschoolers to all in the family as the day progresses, okto makes compelling viewing for all.
The young ones will find a website buzzing with programme information, interactive games, contests, chats and more on oktoday.sg , while the adults will also be equally entertained on the website designed specially for them, oktonite.sg.
okto is part of MediaCorp. MediaCorp is Singapore's leading media company with the most complete range of platforms, spanning television, radio, newspapers, magazines, movies and digital media. MediaCorp has over 55 products in four languages (English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil), including online classifieds, Internet TV-on-demand and High Definition TV broadcast. Winner of numerous international awards and accolades including Asia Television's Broadcaster of the Year, MediaCorp’s vision is to become Asia’s top media company, delivering valued content to the world.
For more information, please visit www.okto.sg
About Omens Studio
Omens Studios is a young, vibrant and up-and-coming animation studio based in Singapore, with an overseas office in Los Angeles. The studio creates and produces original content in addition to providing animation services to international clients for projects that include TV commercials, game cinematics and animated series.
Annex
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