Search DVJ 2.0

Pull Quote:

"With the popularity of Japanese Anime, we felt that the timing could not be better for us to enter the marketplace and share "Chinamation"."

DVJ Photo

Adverts

Exclusive:

Playhut Entertainment

with: Brian Yu Zheng

Interview by: Matthew Anderson

Thanks to the changing economic and political climate between the US and China, Playhut Entertainment is the first to introduce Chinese animated television projects to the US. Coining the phrase "Chinamation", this company is leading the charge in introducing this exciting and new art form to the Western world.

In an email interview, DVJ asked Brian Yu Zheng, President of Playhut about his new company, why now was the time to bring "Chinamation" to the U.S, and what to expect from his company.

PAST:

DVJ: How did Playhut Entertainment come about?

BY – Playhut Entertainment was started a year ago as a new TV and Film Company that acquires and develops top-tier animated children's television series and media properties. Our goal is to become a major supplier of superior children's programming to the domestic market as well as yield a vibrant new profit center for our Company. We will continue to develop new characters and intellectual properties and develop Playhut Entertainment as a prime US media company.

DVJ: Why did you feel now was the time to bring Chinamation to the U.S.?

BY - With the popularity of Japanese Anime among today's American children and the fact that the political and economic changes have been happening in China, we felt that the timing could not be better for us to enter the marketplace and share "Chinamation" and the creative work of China's top independent animators with the world!

RETURN TO TOP

PRESENT:

DVJ: What were the key factors in the selection of these particular titles?

BY - We chose Bird Island, Way of The Warriors, The Mighty Bunch, DeCheng and Little Monk because there was a wide variety of different types of animation among them and they were appropriate for a variety of different age groups.

DVJ: Were there other titles that were under consideration?

BY - We are currently considering other "Chinamation" titles. However, we want to test the waters first with the 5 that we have presently chosen and see how well they are received first.

DVJ: Are these titles from Hong Kong or Mainland China?

BY - All 5 titles are from Mainland China.

DVJ: Were their any difficulties in obtaining these titles?

BY - There are always problems when acquiring titles from foreign countries. However, due to my understanding of the political and business culture landscape of China, I was able to secure them with very few challenges.

DVJ: How important is it to keep the translation accurate?

BY- It is always important to be as close as you can be in translating any animated series into English. We feel confident that we captured the quality of each of the 5 titles.

RETURN TO TOP

FUTURE:

DVJ: Do you plan to market Playhut Entertainment titles only for television, or expand into the DVD market? Can you tell us who is interested in airing these programs?

BY – We are currently in the process of packaging our "Chinamation" titles for DVD distribution to retailers such as Blockbuster, etc. We are exhibiting at NATPE in Las Vegas January 18-21 in Booth #1834 and will be meeting with television executives regarding the sale of "Chinamation" for television distribution.

DVJ: Will original Chinese language tracks be included? Are they in Mandarin, Cantonese, or both?

BY - Yes the original Chinese language tracks will be included. They are in Mandarin.

DVJ: Do you plan on attending any Anime based conventions?

BY - We are not planning on attending any of the above mentioned conventions. However, we recently exhibited at the first Las Vegas Comic Con and were a great hit at that show. We will be exhibiting at the upcoming Wizard World March 19-21st in Long Beach, CA and also have plans to attend the San Diego Comic Con in July.

Return to Top

Back to the Special Features Page