Cable outlet USA Network is making its first foray into short-form entertainment with The Big Adventures of Little Shawn and Gus, a series of animated vignettes based on the hit live-action series Psych. Animated by J.J. Sedelmaier Prods., each of the six shorts explores the timeless mysteries of childhood through young versions of Psych main characters Shawn and Gus. The cartoons will premiere on air, and will also be available on usanetwork.com, HULU.com and other sites, as well as mobile platforms.
‘With the use of animation we can push the narrative boundaries in a fun, creative way while staying true to the show’s core sensibility,’ comments Chris McCumber, exec VP of marketing, digital and brand strategy for USA Network.
‘I loved working with USA Network and the show’s producers and introducing them to the endless storytelling possibilities of the animation medium,” adds J.J. Sedelmaier.
USA has struck a promotional deal with Alltel Wireless to feature Shawn and Gus interacting with Alltel products in the animated series. USA sees the initiative as a way of blurring the line between entertainment content and advertising, and a way of keeping viewers tuned in during commercial breaks.
The Little Shawn and Gus episodes will range from 50 seconds to two minutes in length, with a new adventure premiering during the second break of every episode of Psych beginning Friday, Jan. 11 at 10 p.m. Psych fans will also have the opportunity to experience more Little Shawn and Gus at psych.usanetwork.com through multiple cartoons, two Flash – based games titled Pogo Adventure and Hotshot Shootout, and downloadable wallpapers and screensavers.
J.J. Sedelmaier is best known for such Saturday Night Live cartoons as The Ambiguously Gay Duo, as well as its work on the Colbert Report feature Tek Jansen and Mike Judge’s Beavis & Butt-Head. The company is based in White Plains, New York and can be found at www.jjsedelmaier.com.
