“Novatori” Break New Ground in Animation
The Russian Geographical Society has a long-standing tradition of supporting innovators and pioneers, people who devote their lives to experiments and discoveries, having an unquenchable thirst for exploring the universe. All these qualities have always been inherent in prominent Russian scientists, explorers and trail blazers.
The Center of National Film is currently making a cartoon show entitled “Novatori”, which means “Innovators” in Russian. The show, made up of a series of 6-minute shorts, is designed for children and teenagers. Its goal is to popularize a positive image of innovators, who try to change their country and the world, who risk their lives to invent a new – and a better – reality. The project obtained a grant of the Russian Geographical Society in the category of Ecological and Geographical Education.
The cartoon creators would like to get across to the young viewers an important message, that people who create new ideas, who are able to work in a team, who take care of the environment, who have such important personal qualities as kindness, integrity, supportiveness and so on, such people easily find their place in the world and live bright, eventful lives. The main characters are driven by the desire to discover things for the benefit of Russia and the mankind in general.
Each episode is based on real inventions, patented by real Russian scientists and innovators, so the cartoon show is not a fairytale; it has nothing to do with far-fetched, utopian ideas. This project aims at promoting the already existing scientific, technical and engineering breakthroughs, made in Russia. Part of the episodes will focus on the inventions that make it possible to use new technologies in environmental protection and in search of new green sources of energy. Watching the show, children will also learn many new facts about Russian history and geography.
The storyline
It all started on an ordinary day, when an extraterrestrial appeared in the lives of ordinary schoolchildren, like a bolt out of the blue. The children immediately made friends with the unusual visitor from space, and quite soon the merry intergalactic team found a new four-legged member – a hamster. The earthlings suggested using an old refrigerator as spare parts for the broken flying saucer, and the alien made… a time machine from it! But who said that time machines don’t look like fridges? And so the story unfolds…
Because of their boundless curiosity, the cartoon characters get into numerous scrapes. Trying to get out of the troubles, they discover that the best means to fix the broken time machine, not to peril in the Ice Age or deal with the absence of gravitation is knowledge, wits and friendship. With the help of these, they overcome all the difficulties, making various discoveries in between.
What is critical about this project is that it encourages out-of-the-box thinking and a vivid interest in school subjects, helping to nurture the true future innovators who will push forward the world.
The characters
The cartoon characters are not alike; their personalities are different and each of them has a unique talent. The team’s leader is captain Phillip – a 14-year-old budding engineer, who is able to construct anything from the things he has at hand, for instance a mask that helps a person to survive in extremely cold environments. He is a bit shy, because he thinks he is too kind, so he is trying to look tougher than he really is. This creates many funny moments in the cartoon. Nana, a why-girl, is the only girl in the all-boys team. It is her silly questions and simple ideas that often help other characters to find solutions to various problems. Another team member is Neon, a charming alien from the Planet Jum, who found himself on Earth after his flying saucer crashed. He eagerly joins Philip and Nana in their adventures. And finally, Teslik, a trouble making pet hamster. Because of his pranks, the friends always get involved into unbelievable incidents with no way out at first glance. Coping with difficulties they have through the fault of the hamster, the children are constantly making discoveries and invent new things.
Facts
The cartoon show production started in early November 2009. The show creators plan to produce 150 episodes within 6 years. The project is coordinated by Chastniye Technologii, LLC. The author of the project is Alexei Vladislavovich Kozhevnikov, Member of the Russian Geographical Society, Honor Member of the All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium Entrepreneurship “Opora Russia”. The shorts will be made in 2D format by the Center of National Film studio. The project advisor is G. Bardin, a leading Russian animator and cartoon producer.
“Novatori” received a grant of the Russian Geographical Society and is also supported by the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, the Russian Corporation of Nanotechnologies (RUSNANO), the Russian Venture Company (OJSC), the Russian Ministry of Culture, the Russian federal Agency for Youth Affairs, and the All-Russia Public Organization of Small and Medium Entrepreneurship “OPORA Rossii”.