Alligator in the Elevator, Remember with Music
Little Spaceship Productions is currently in the process of developing an interactive mobile app for “Alligator in the Elevator.” The app will include Rick’s bouncy tune, “Alligator in the Elevator”, animated pictures, and interactive activities such as punching the buttons on the elevator when the song requests a new floor. Good animation requires a lot of time, and a lot of drawing, and even simple interactivity requires time and good programming. Krishna has initiated a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to fund initial production costs, beta testing and things like insurance, legal fees, and utilities.
This is a Kickstarter that parents of preschool children, teachers and kids will want to look in on. The foundation tune is catchy and the basic storyboard sample is adorable. A little board gets on the elevator with an alligator – who rolls his eyes winsomely at the lad. The sample takes us up three floors, and then leaves us with a cliff-hanger on the fourth floor when the boy notices the alligator’s teeth! Talk about your tantalizing teasers!
Campaign contributors, however, can sign on to become beta testers – and get the other 6 verses as the alligator and his small companion travel upward through a basic Learn-to-Count sequence. The animation sample display includes a request to push the appropriate number button, the number symbol displayed and reinforced with further animation, and a segue into the next number – all delivered to Rick Charette’s catchy tune. The chorus invites sing-alongs, and has the kind of sticking quality that will sing in your head all day long. Maybe that isn’t the best of news for parents and teachers who will have to live with it, but it is great news for kids who are learning to count.
In addition to beta testing, other rewards for the campaign include mention in the game credits, t-shirts, a game character based on a picture the contributor provides, and access to the production blog. One very special reward is a signed photo of Rick Charette – which could make a nice gift for a child who has seen the singer/songwriter perform, or who enjoys his several albums. Rick has 11 CDs, 3 DVDs, and two books published. You can listen to sound files of two of Rick’s songs on the Kickstarter website.
Krishna has worked on diverse animation projects including programs such as Roots and Rock and Curious George, as well as a variety of advertising. He is the guiding force for Little Spaceship Productions. In addition to her experience in marketing and preschool direction, Jennifer Dumato has a Bachelor degree in Sociology. Brian Main needs no introduction to parents and teachers who are familiar the L’il Red Storybook app, which encourages preschoolers to explore traditional stories without words or dialog through interactive play.
Krishna does not anticipate any problems with the software production process, but promises to log every step of the process – which could be an educational activity for new animators all by itself. If the quality of the Kickstarter – which has music, video, and a tantalizing cliff-hanger – is any indication of the quality of the product, Little Spaceship Productions is going to turn out some very fine work. Rick Charette’s music alone makes it worth your time to look in on the Kickstarter. Tell your friends about it – parents and teachers will be especially appreciative of the content – but other people will enjoy it as well. You really can’t go wrong with an Alligator in the Elevator – well, at least as far as the fourth floor. After that, who knows? He really is a very toothy creature.
About: Krishna Ramnath, CEO and guiding force behind LIttle Spaceship Productions (www.littlespaceshipproductions.com) , got his inspiration to become an animator from watching Sesame Street and School House Rock. He wants that same kind of experience for his three daughters, and for children everywhere.
Krishna Ramnath
Little Spaceship Productions
www.littlespaceshipproductions.com
email us here
