Dublin animation firm Jam Media is to create 60 new jobs after its TV series Roy was re-commissioned by the BBC. The re-commissioning of the series, announced from MIP in Cannes, France, constitutes an €8.5m investment in the BAFTA-winning company.
The show filmed as a fly-on-the-wall ‘mockumentary’ follows Roy, an 11-year-old cartoon boy living in the real world. Roy lives in Ballyfermot with his real family and plays with his real friends, he is like any other real kid his age, only he is a cartoon
The Jam Media series appeals to both kids and parents, as it touches home on a number of everyday issues, including bullies, responsibility, trust and teamwork.
The filming for the animated and live-action show in Ireland has been made more possible with the Irish tax relief incentive, section 481, which encourages investment in Irish-made film projects that make a significant contribution to the national economy and the exchequer. As well as this, a further 60 jobs on top of the existing 48 have been created.
“We’re absolutely delighted that the BBC have re-commissioned a double series of Roy,” Jam Media CEO John Rice explained.
“The series and the character of Roy really seems to resonate with viewers in the UK, Ireland and beyond. One of the reasons for this is that were able to have so much fun with his physicality and really exaggerate his reactions and expressions. Roy is a true fish out of water but he doesn’t see himself that way.”
The company will also expand into the UK to create new IP and produce more live-action content. The new company Jammy will launch in Belfast in January next year.
According to Rice, Jammy will be run separately to Jam Media and will develop and produce its own and third-party content in genres and demographics different to Jam, which will continue to produce animation.
“Because of Roy, we’ve developed an appetite for live-action dramas. So we would like to see more of that content coming out of Belfast in the future,” Rice said.
He added that Jammy is likely to have its own chairman and executive board members, details of which are still in negotiation.