Provincial rebate provided incentive to choose Alberta production facility for AppleTV+ show
CALGARY and HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — The Jim Henson Company today announced it is starting production in Calgary on its new Fraggle Rock series for Apple TV+, having found the province’s production rebate and Covid-19 mitigation efforts too appealing to pass up, says the company’s press release.
The Jim Henson Company credited the coordinated effort by Alberta minister of jobs, economy and innovation Doug Schweitzer and Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi for the company’s decision to pick Calgary as the location for its production of the Fraggle Rock reboot.
“In summer of 2020, with the Covid pandemic in full swing, the pressure was on for us to find a home where we could produce our green-lit series Fraggle Rock. We were delighted to discover the Calgary Film Centre, a first-class facility that could accommodate our timing. And when we learned of Alberta’s fantastic rebate structure, Calgary became the obvious choice. We are so grateful to Mayor Nenshi and Minister Schweitzer for welcoming Fraggle Rock back to Canada,” said Chris Lytton, COO of The Jim Henson Company, in the press release.
“It’s great news for Calgary and Alberta,” said Mayor Nenshi. “We are very proud of the talent in our film sector here, as well as Calgary’s reputation as a world leader in the art of puppetry. How exciting that Jim Henson’s vision is being continued right here. I can’t wait to see the further adventures of the Fraggles and the Doozers, with a Calgary touch!”
“I grew up with Fraggle Rock, and I’m excited that a new generation will get to experience a new vision of the show, filmed right here in Calgary,” added Schweitzer, who is the Alberta minister overseeing the production rebate. “Alberta’s plentiful advantages in scenery, location and talent, as well as our Film and Television Tax Credit, mean that we are just scratching the surface of our potential as a global hub for film and television productions.”
The reboot of Fraggle Rock was announced in May 2020, and is being produced by The Jim Henson Company in association with New Regency. The series will reunite the original characters Gobo, Red, Boober, Mokey, Wembley and Uncle Travelling Matt for new songs and adventures, with the same spirit as the classic series, says the press release.
Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford will executive produce the new series for The Jim Henson Company. Yariv Milchan and Michael Schaefer of New Regency and long-time Henson collaborator John Tartaglia (Splash and Bubbles, Johnny and the Sprites) are also executive producing the series. Showrunners Matt Fusfeld and Alex Cuthbertson (New Girl, American Dad, Community) are attached to executive produce and write. Rita Peruggi (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Yo Gabba Gabba!) will produce. Dave Goelz (“Boober”, “Uncle Travelling Matt”) and Karen Prell (“Red”) are also attached as co-executive producers. Harvey Mason Jr. is the executive music producer for the series.
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