Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
Animated film created by Celina teen to be broadcast
By William Kincaid
A short animated film created by Celina teenager Rachael Yoder was selected by entertainment group qubo for national broadcast on TV and the Internet.
Yoder's film, created on a Web application at qubo.com, was chosen as one of 14 selections submitted by thousands of aspiring young animators throughout the country, according to Karen Baratz, publicist for qubo.
"Lights, Camera 13" showcases The Zimmer Twins - animated characters featured in interactive cartoons that kids can make and share with others online.
A talking, guitar-smashing cat takes center stage at a concert after luring the two children performers outside with the promise of a year supply of bubble gum.
"My cat - he's always getting into trouble at home," the 16-year-old Yoder said about her inspiration for "Lights, Camera 13."
Qubo producers remastered the film and converted it to a high-resolution video, according to a press release. Character actors also were brought in to provide the voices for the dialogue - all written by Yoder.
Yoder has always enjoyed sketching and someday wants to work in animation for the likes of Big Idea Productions, home of VeggieTales.
"She loves to draw - horses are her top thing and dragons," Rachael's mom Tina Yoder said, pointing out her daughter is an honor student at Ohio Virtual Academy, an online-based high school.
Tina Yoder said she supports both her daughter's pursuits and qubo, which she said provides decent, quality entertainment for children. Qubo focuses on literacy, values and healthy lifestyles while celebrating the unlimited possibilities of a child's imagination, a press release says.
Yoder's film will make its world television premiere today at 3:40 p.m. on the ION Television network. It also will be shown today at 4 p.m. on the qubo channel, as well as being rerun for a week.
"Lights, Camera 13" will be shown on NBC on Saturday at approximately 10:40 a.m. and Telemundo on Sunday at approximately 10:40 a.m.
The film can be viewed online at the qubo.com Web site.
