Dexter, Squint/Opera form production JV

Children’s TV consultancy Serious Lunch is producing a joint venture production company with London-based studio Squint/Opera.

The two companies are launching Eye/Present, which will develop, animate, produce and coproduce programming for the international kids TV market.

Serious Lunch, which former Cake Entertainment boss Genevieve Dexter, helped Squint/Opera finance the upcoming £4.5 million (US$7.2 million) CBeebies series Messy Goes to Okido, prompting the pair to formalise their partnership.

Eye/Present will be based at Squint/Opera’s headquarters in London, and primarily target the family entertainment market.

Furthermore, Dexter will become a director of the Squint/Opera Group, which employs around 100 staff globally and works in print, brands, digital, animation, sound and still production. She will remain as CEO of Serious Lunch, which will continue to operate as normal.

Dexter and Squint/Opera founder and CEO Jules Coke executive produce Messy Goes to Okido, which Canada’s DHX Media has international rights to and is getting a global launch at MIPJunior this coming weekend.

“We are delighted to build on our successful collaboration and combine the strength of the international Squint/Opera Group with my 25 years experience in IP to produce ambitious new content that has unique provenance and a strong creative heart,” said Dexter.

“Now is the perfect time for us to add to our small number of London CG animation studios, building on the wealth of creative talent in the city and growth in opportunities driven by the UK tax credit,” added Coke.

“Our philosophy of producing the entire pipeline in-house, combined with our customised software, allows us to achieve the highest quality whilst remaining competitive internationally.”