Yahoo! to Unveil an Immersive Digital Experience with the Debut of Tom Hanks’ New Animated Series “Electric City” on July 17th, 2012
Yahoo!
Screen to Launch Original Digital Experience from Playtone and Reliance
Entertainment as First-of-its Kind 360 Degree Online Interaction of
Digital, Social, Mobile and Gaming Media
SUNNYVALE,
CA – (July 2, 2012) - Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO), the premier digital media
company, today announced that Playtone and Reliance Entertainment’s
animated series “Electric City,” created by and starring Tom Hanks, will
make its global debut on July 17th, 2012 on Yahoo! Screen.
Set in a futuristic society, “Electric City” is a new 90- minute
action-packed sci-fi adventure series. Yahoo! will bring Hanks’ vision
and storytelling to a global audience through a first-of-its kind 360
degree online interaction of digital, social, mobile and gaming media. View the trailer here: http://electriccity.yahoo.com.
“The
much anticipated ‘Electric City’ is here - we at Yahoo! could not be
more thrilled to be the digital partner for this unparalleled,
groundbreaking series,” said Erin McPherson VP & Head of Video
at Yahoo!. “Partnering with Playtone, Reliance Entertainment and one of
Hollywood’s biggest stars, Tom Hanks, is an important milestone for
Yahoo! in paving the way to becoming the global destination for premium
online content from the best storytellers in entertainment.”
“Electric City” features a multi-talented cast that includes the voices of Tom Hanks, Jeanne Tripplehorn (“Big Love,” “Grey Gardens”), Holland Taylor (“Two and a Half Men”), Ginnifer Goodwin (WALK THE LINE, A SINGLE MAN, HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU), Jason Antoon, Chris Parnell, Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael and Georg Stanford Brown among many others. The series, produced in partnership with Playtone and Reliance Entertainment, was created by Tom Hanks and executive produced by Gary Goetzman and Amitabh Jhunjhunwala, Vice Chairman Reliance Entertainment Group.
“Every
now and then, storytelling and technology unite in a fun and surprising
way,” said Playtone Partner Gary Goetzman. “‘Electric City’ brings
viewers into a totally unique world through a truly immersive online
experience whether they're at home on their computers or mobile on their
tablets and smartphones.”
“We
at Reliance Entertainment are thrilled to have partnered with Playtone
and Yahoo! on this ground-breaking and exciting project,” said Amitabh
Jhunjhunwala, Vice Chairman Reliance Entertainment Group. “‘Electric
City’ is a creative coup, a first-of-its-kind digital event blending
great storytelling, breath-taking animation and digital technology
unlike anything anyone has ever done before. Playtone and Yahoo! have
joined us at Reliance in devoting our very best to this series, and it’s
a real tribute to our shared vision.”
The
first ten episodes, which are all 5-7 minutes in length, will premiere
on Yahoo! beginning on July 17th with the remaining episodes being
released July 18th and July 19th.
Jump
Games, which is part of Reliance Entertainment, will be releasing an
interactive mobile application on iOS and Android. Mobile audiences will
also be able to play an original Role Playing Game featuring a key
character from the online series, read digital comic-books that expand
on the mythology of the online series, get behind-the-scenes sneak peeks
from its development, and access other exclusive content. The app will
be available on July 17th.
In
addition to superior quality, high-end graphic animation designed
specifically for the Internet, “Electric City” on Yahoo! Screen will
feature an immersive and interactive online experience featuring a 3-D
map of ‘Electric City,’ behind-the-scenes footage of the cast, games and
more. The “Electric City” experience can be found on http://electriccity.yahoo.com.
What is “Electric City”?
The
world as we know it has ended and out of the rubble, the Electric City
stands as a symbol of peace and security. Yet under the veneer of order
lies a world full of secrets and violence. Secret police, back-alley
dealings, daring chases, and murder all find a home in the “Electric
City.” Through the lens of a functioning, yet dystopian metropolis,
“Electric City” touches upon relevant global issues and themes including
energy consumption, freedom of information, crime and punishment and
more. The story unfolds gradually, layering mystery upon mystery,
inviting viewers to interact with the content and each other. Metaphors
and symbols are woven throughout, creating a perfect environment for
puzzle-solving and community interaction. Like good science fiction,
“Electric City” raises provocative questions about our own way of life
and value systems. Short-form connecting storylines combined with vivid
animation and a compelling score will keep audiences watching, while
metaphors and a range of subject lines will keep them guessing—and reflecting.
The “Electric City” Experience on Yahoo!
“Electric
City” will be shown as a multi-part series on Yahoo! Screen, and will
be supported by a deeply immersive and interactive online experience
that enhances the drama, mystery and intrigue of the series.
Yahoo!’s interactive and social features will allow viewers to:
- Navigate non-linearly and learn more about the world of “Electric City” through a 3-D interactive map
- Dig deeper into the character’s back-stories
- Watch exclusive behind-the-scenes footage
- Post reactions and commentary directly to Facebook and Twitter at facebook.com/tomhanksec and @tomhanksec
- Engage members of their social networks in discussions and debates about societal themes, events and characters
- Engage in casual games and other content related to the series
“Electric
City” will also live across multiple devices and comes enabled for
tablets. The series will be punctuated by special events, such as
opportunities to watch exclusive content and to interact with the cast
and creators. As a truly global entertainment experience, the series
will also be available in numerous languages, including French and
Spanish.
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