Heartwood USA an Original Animated WebBased Childrens Series Premieres



Heartwood USA, an animated, Web-based children's series about Green issues and Green politics, will premiere its pilot episode today at http://www.heartwoodusa.com. When fully funded, Heartwood USA will be webcast as a series of 4-5 minute episodes that will take on a wide variety of environmental problems from factory fishing to invasive species to consumerism and, of course, climate change. Episodes will be cross-posted on http://www.youtube.com/heartwoodusa.

Heartwood USA is created by Shane Keats, a former producer and writer for NBC Nightly News and CNN and a veteran of venture capital-backed software startups. Dave Schlafman Studio, the creator of The Sky is Falling, Current TV's Ecospot Grand Prize winner, as well the Uh-Oh's and The Idiotic Adventures of Philippe and Pierre, directed and co-wrote the pilot.

Heartwood USA is part of the greening of US media which includes the recently launched Planet Green from Discovery, Sundance Channel's The Green and green themed films like Happy Feet. However, Heartwood USA fills a major gap in the current media landscape -- the lack of a single green themed children's cartoon in production on any major network.

About Heartwood USA:

Heartwood USA is about Carson Heartwood, a 12-year-old detective fighting to help her friends, her town and her country solve environmental mysteries. But her nemesis, fellow 12-year-old Shamus Dummkopf, will use every weapon and dirty trick at his disposal to make sure she never gets to the truth. That's because his dad, who owns everything in town, stands to lose power, prestige and cash if he's forced to stop polluting his own community!

On Facts vs Funny: "Heartwood USA believes kids aren't stupid, that they want a show that is serious as well as silly. Cow-a-dunga! -- the pilot episode -- is grounded in the facts of climate and environmental science but, um, it's about cow farting," said Keats.

On Political Bullies: "Heartwood USA takes a strong stand against political bullies. Professional climate change skeptics and climate change deniers are very good at their jobs. Despite conclusive scientific proof, there's been a 6% decline in the number of people who believe there is "solid evidence" for global warming. Heartwood USA uses humor to expose these bullies and give kids a chance to laugh and inspire them to fight back." Citation: http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3ReportID=417

On Fairness: "Heartwood USA views political bullying through the lens of fairness. When Shamus spreads rumors or lies about Carson, that's not fair. When he uses his father's wealth to buy support, that's not fair. When he astroturfs a fake organization like 'Milk Drinkers for Truth', that's not fair. Kids aren't necessarily political, but they sure can spot a bully and they hate to see him win."





Heartwood USA an Original Animated WebBased Childrens Series Premieres