The TV production arm of Toronto-based animation house Red Rover is now operating under the new handle ToonBox Entertainment, and the full-service company will mainly channel its efforts into CGI animated and stereoscopic films, commercial production services and animated series work.

ToonBox is already in production on its first project BLIP, a 26 x 22-minute 3-D animated series that debuted as D.A.N.D.Y. at last year’s MIPTV. The concept has gotten a branding and story makeover under the guidance of new head writer Riccardo Durante, whose credits include work on Wayside and Gruesomestein’s Monsters. With a zany comedy-adventure bent, the series is about two droids who fulfill their dream to take part in a series of robot competitions that humans have devised to work out their Earthly disputes.

A pilot will be finished in time for KidScreen Summit, where director of sales and marketing Thom Chapman will be looking to move negotiations forward with global distributors and co-production partners already interested in the project, as well as meeting with new potential partners. Budgeted at US$350,000 per ep, the series is pegged for completion in November 2009. Directors whose credits include work on feature films such as Toy Story 2 and Shark Tale are already on-board, but ToonBox is still looking to staff the production up with more writers and online designers.

ToonBox is currently seeking branding and licensing opportunities for the robot property, and Chapman can be reached at 416-362-8783 or at t.chapman@toonboxentertainment.com.